International Week of Happiness at Work - electricians enjoy their jobs

For International Week of Happiness at Work (19-25th September) - an event that promotes the importance of job satisfaction - research has found that 63% of UK electricians enjoy what they do. Furthermore, the study by IronmongeryDirect found that 58% are proud of their jobs, 27% are happy with their work-life balance, and 41% are satisfied with their level of income. The top five things electricians enjoy about their work are: Seeing what has been accomplished each day (25%) Learning new things (22%) Variety of work (22%) Interacting with customers (20%) Working outdoors (19%) Millennial tradespeople are the least likely to enjoy their job, with only 43% stating that they like their work, whilst those over the age of 65 have the greatest career satisfaction (69%). Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, says: “It’s great to see that so many tradespeople enjoy the work they do, and feel a real sense of accomplishment for their projects. “We’ve always believed that for many tradies, their work isn’t just a job, but truly a passion and a way of life, and that was echoed by the majority of tradespeople in our study.” www.internationalweekofhappinessatwork.com www.electricaldirect.com www.ironmongerydirect.com

CityFibre network passes two million homes

CityFibre has now passed more than two million homes in its rollout. The major milestone marks the completion of 25% of its announced nationwide rollout to eight million premises. Once the full rollout is completed, the network will address approximately one third of the UK market and unlock up to £38bn in economic benefits. CityFibre began the construction of its access network in 2018, establishing a supply chain of build partners and commencing mobilisation in its first 12 towns and cities. Pioneering a partner-centric approach to its build, it reached its one million home milestone three years later. It has since continued to scale its supply chain and improve its productivity, passing a further million homes in the last 12 months across 75 metropolitan areas and making CityFibre the UK’s second largest full fibre network. Of the two million homes passed to date, approximately 1.8 million are ‘Ready For Service’ (RFS) enabling residents to place an order and receive services in as little as five working days. Over 30 consumer Internet Service Provider (ISP) partners including TalkTalk, Vodafone and Zen have chosen CityFibre’s carrier-grade services and are benefiting from its market-leading wholesale products and pricing. With improved access to a growing footprint through CityFibre's national network and an effective partnership model to drive awareness and take-up throughout the build process, ISPs are now delivering record orders each month. This is accelerating take-up across CityFibre’s network. Its most mature location, Milton Keynes, has now exceeded 25% take-up and others growing on a similar trajectory. Throughout its build programme, CityFibre has maintained a major focus on its health and safety record, receiving a Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Gold Health and Safety Award for working to ensure its staff and build partners operate in a safe environment. www.cityfibre.com

myenergi shortlisted for national electrification awards

myenergi has been shortlisted in two categories at this year’s Electric Vehicle Innovation and Excellence Awards (EVIES). Taking place in London on 5th October, the prestigious event shines a spotlight on the trailblazing activity taking place across the UK’s emerging EV sector. Alongside being named as a finalist in the hotly contested Charge point Manufacturer of the Year (Domestic) category, myenergi’s co-founder and CMO, Jordan Brompton, joins some of the industry’s most acclaimed leaders in the Special Recognition Award shortlist. Having founded myenergi in 2016 alongside business partner Lee Sutton, Jordan continues to prove to be a major driving force in myenergi’s global growth journey. Her passion, commitment and dedication to sustainability have not only helped the business to expand, but have also helped to inspire change, progress and acceleration when it comes to the UK’s transition to electrification. Renowned for designing the world’s first eco-smart domestic EV charger - zappi, myenergi is widely regarded as one of the country’s fastest-growing home energy technology businesses. In just six years, the company has grown from a team of two to staff numbers in excess of 400, with upwards of 300,000 units retailed worldwide and subsidiaries in Ireland, Germany, Australia and the Netherlands opened along the way. zappi is a smart charger with a difference. Alongside operating as a standard mains-connected device, the unit integrates with renewable energy generation technologies to charge your EV with 100% green electricity. If a household doesn’t have renewable generation, or if the sun isn’t shining, zappi can optimise around your energy tariff to enable charging at both cheaper and greener times from the grid. Commenting on the news, Jordan says: “When we founded myenergi, the vision was simple - create a positive impact, push the boundaries of possibility and change the world through pioneering green technologies. In the few years since, we’ve built a global brand, created hundreds of jobs and helped to accelerate the transition to electrification. “We’re so grateful to be shortlisted in two categories at this year’s EVIEs. It’s a tribute to our whole team - a true reflection of our dynamism, passion, enthusiasm and the success story that we’ve collectively created - it makes me so proud of the myenergi journey and the progress we’ve made in such a short amount of time.” www.myenergi.com www.evie.solarenergyevents.com

Armorduct launches new distribution centre

Armorduct has expanded into a new 24,500 sq ft distribution centre in Kingswingford, West Midlands. The building adds to Armorduct’s two manufacturing facilities in the West Midlands and will become the company’s new head office. Armorduct is investing £250,000 in the fitout of the distribution centre, which will enhance customer service in line with a growing demand for cable containment solutions. New storage equipment, comprising of 1,200m of pallet and cantilever racking, is currently being installed along with a customer collection facility. The site will house the company’s full product range, including cable containment, cable trunking, and cable trays and baskets - which are all designed and manufactured by Armorduct in the UK. Distributed via a network of national and independent electrical wholesalers, the products are used by mechanical and electrical contractors in the infrastructure, education, healthcare and commercial sectors. Alfie Rowe, Managing Director of Armorduct, says: “Construction output remains strong, and continues to drive demand for our products right across the UK. Expanding into a new distribution centre will ensure we can meet our customers’ needs and are in a strong position to accommodate rising sales. “The site will enable us to increase our stock levels and provide a quicker and more effective service for deliveries and collections. Overall, this will significantly improve the experience for our customers, offering them greater flexibility and shorter lead times. “We have also created a dedicated space for our new call and collect service, combined with plenty of car parking to smooth the process.” A team of 20 will be based at the distribution centre, including two new recruits in the warehouse. The site will also be home to Armorduct’s finance and sales departments. www.armorduct.com

Pension Awareness Week: expert advice for electricians

Preparing for retirement can be challenging, and it can be difficult to know where to start. In fact, research by IronmongeryDirect found that one in eight (13%) tradespeople approaching retirement age (55-64) don’t have any financial preparations for retirement. So, this Pension Awareness Week, what do you need to know about saving for retirement? IronmongeryDirect has partnered with Fabian Taylor, Senior Associate and Chartered Financial Planner in Nelsons’ wealth management team, and George Stainton, Senior Wealth Manager at Hoxton Capital Management, to reveal helpful tips for electricians on how to prepare for retirement. It’s never too late to start While it’s recommended to begin planning for retirement as soon as possible, IronmongeryDirect’s research found that more than one in 10 (13%) tradespeople approaching retirement age don’t have a financial plan in place. Thankfully, it’s never too late to make a start. Fabian says: “Contributions to a pension attract tax relief from the government. So, for every £80 you contribute, tax relief of £20 is added, making the total contribution £100. “As a general rule of thumb, you should try to save half the age at which you started as a percentage of your salary. For example, if you start saving at age 20, then you should contribute 10%, but if you start at age 30, you should aim to save 15%.” Saving early makes things easier  While it’s true that you can start saving at any point during your career, it’s sensible to begin putting aside money for retirement as early as possible. Many young people have the advantage of being able to use workplace pension schemes, but for those who opt out, are ineligible, or are planning on saving additional funds, starting early has major benefits. George says: “If younger people are not contributing to a pension scheme, then they should make sure they have some sort of structured savings in place. Getting into the habit of saving for retirement earlier in your career will make life much more comfortable as you get closer to retirement. Let us look at a simple calculation to prove this. “If someone needs to have a retirement pot of £500,000 at the age of 55, they will need to save £441 per month if they start at the age of 25 and see a 7% return on their investment each year. If they start saving at 35, this figure increases to £1,016 per month and dramatically increases to £2,783 per month if they start at 45 years old.” Take advantage of workplace schemes For tradespeople who work on an employed basis, they should look to enrol in their workplace pension scheme, if they have not already. This means that they will be saving throughout their career, with additional top-ups from their employer, and while tradies should still aim to set up a private pension, a workplace scheme provides a safety net in the meantime. Fabian says: “If you are 22 years old or older, earning over £10,000 and employed by a company, you will be automatically enrolled into your company’s workplace scheme. Through this, a minimum of 8% of your earnings, split between yourself and your employer, between £6,240 and £50,000, will be invested into your pension. If it is affordable, you should consider increasing contributions. If you opt out of this workplace pension, you are missing out on money from your employer.” George says: “Thankfully, with the help of auto-enrolment, younger people are better equipped than ever to start saving for their retirement early. As the majority of the young working population will be contributing to some kind of workplace pension, they are able to benefit from the effect of long-term saving and compounded growth.” Remember to plan ahead and save if you’re self-employed Those working on a self-employed basis, unfortunately, do not have the same auto-enrolment to a workplace pension scheme that employed people do, so therefore it’s important that you make your own preparations and plan ahead for your retirement. Fabian says: “Draw up a budget to see what you can afford to contribute each month and do some research into the best place for you to put it that allows for investment growth and tax relief. Even if it is a small amount, every little helps.” “Assuming a growth rate of 5%, if you were to contribute £50 per month to a pension at age 25, the pension could be worth £76,301 by age 65. However, if you don’t start saving until age 35, the pension could be worth £41,612 by age 65. The longer you wait to save in a pension, the more you may have to pay in later in life to save enough to meet your needs in retirement.” Regardless of your age, it’s always best to prepare for retirement in advance. By ensuring that you’re making the most of workplace pensions where available, as well as saving privately, you can place yourself in the best position to enjoy retirement in comfort. www.ironmongerydirect.com

Eaton adds new option to its ExLin LED lighting range

Eaton has announced an important addition to its CEAG ExLin linear LED lighting fixtures for hazardous area applications. The new, battery powered ExLin NE+ provides a decentralised LED solution for mandatory emergency lighting in case of power failure, in compliance with EN 60598-2-22. Offering a safe, reliable and cost-efficient LED lighting solution for hazardous areas, the ExLin range is certified for use in Zone 1 and Zone 21. Typical applications include oil and gas and petrochemical processing facilities, as well as chemical and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The ExLin NE+ combines lithium batteries (which are more environmentally friendly than nickel cadmium types), state-of-the-art LED technology with optimised thermal management, and a time-tested enclosure to deliver reliable performance for longer in harsh and hazardous environments. Offering standard, narrow and wide beam illumination options, ExLin NE+ luminaires enable illumination to be tailored to the needs of the application. They are available in 3L or 5L versions, delivering approximately 1000lm/2000lm for up to three hours in emergency mode. The emergency lighting cycle can be set locally for one and a half or three hours. Robust and versatile, these LED lighting fixtures will work effectively in ambient temperatures ranging from -40°C to +45°C. ExLin NE+ lighting fixtures can vary the power consumption of the entire LED module via their electronics. This enables homogeneous illumination of escape routes in accordance with the local conditions, even in the emergency lighting mode. Installation and maintenance are significantly reduced thanks to the innovative battery design. The ExLin NE+ lithium battery has no memory effect and a more stable capacity for emergency lighting compared to standard NiCd batteries. In addition, these innovative batteries have faster charging, which means emergency lighting is fully available more quickly. Improved charging capabilities ensure a more stable and robust charging cycle, thus resulting in longer lifetime. ExLin NE+ LED lighting fixtures also incorporate Hot Swap technology, which allows an easy exchange of the battery in Ex areas without disconnecting the power. ExLin NE+ LED lighting fixtures are equipped with integrated software that monitors the functions of the luminaire and automatically performs the prescribed function tests and quarterly, partial duty-cycle test in accordance with DIN EN 50172. A two-diode LED display shows charge and battery status for at-a-glance confirmation of operational integrity. www.eaton.com

Martindale Electric’s latest range of True RMS clamp meters

The CM Series range of professional clamp meters from Martindale Electric makes it easy to choose the right tool for the job every time. Whether it’s low current AC, or DC for solar PV and battery systems, the equipment gets the job done. The pocket-sized clamp range includes the CM55 AC Clamp, CM57 TRMS AC Smart Clamp and the CM79 TRMS AC/DC Clamp, combining outstanding specification and measuring capabilities with reliability and ease of use. The clamps meet the exacting requirements of electricians and service teams working on both AC and DC systems, from basic AC measurements through to min/max monitoring of start-up and charging currents. All the clamps are auto-ranging and measure current to better than a 2% accuracy. The entry level CM55 is a high-performance AC clamp meter which measures AC current up to 400A, AC/DC voltage and resistance with continuity test. The compact design also enables accurate and reliable current measurement down to a 10mA resolution without the need to break into the circuit. Following on from the CM55 is the CM57 TRMS Smart Clamp Multimeter which measures AC current up to 600A, AC/DC voltage, resistance with continuity test plus capacitance, frequency and diode testing - making it well suited to HVAC applications. Featuring a high contrast backlit display with a hold facility for working in low light and hard to reach areas, the CM57 also includes a smart function, which automatically detects and switches between resistance and capacitance measurements. The advanced jaw design has a built-in non-contact voltage detector to easily identify live cable runs. True RMS measurement ensures accurate and reliable AC current and voltage measurement for distorted waveforms generated by today’s power electronics and non-linear loads. Non-True RMS clamps can frequently give readings up to 50% lower than the actual value in these common applications. The CM79 TRMS features AC and DC current measurement up to 600A with min/max for monitoring maximum loads, start up and charging currents. The professional clamp is ideal for applications involving PV installations, battery monitoring, UPS systems and electric vehicles. The elliptical jaw design will accommodate conductors and bus bars up to 35x15mm. All models in the range include a thumb wheel for single handed operation and auto ranging for ease of use, auto power off, a low battery indicator and a hold function, which is particularly useful when working in areas with restricted access. Featuring a good build quality and performance, the competitively priced series of clamp meters from Martindale Electric combine outstanding specification and measuring capabilities with reliability and ease of use. The new CM Series are supplied with high quality TL16 test leads, alkaline batteries and a soft carry case. All Martindale Electric products come with a two-year warranty and conform to the highest safety standards. www.martindale-electric.com

BGEN acquires Radway Control Systems

BGEN has acquired Radway Control Systems to strengthen its industrial automation offering. The purchase of the business, which includes the trading and certain assets of the company, will support BGEN’s growth ambitions in several sectors including renewables and steel, and increase its presence in the automation aftermarket/service arena. “When we rebranded to BGEN we stated we wanted to be recognised as an independent market leader in the provision of world class multi-disciplinary engineering solutions for UK and international customers,” says Robin Whitehead, Chief Executive at BGEN. “Strategic acquisitions were part of that realising that vision, and the addition of Radway Control Systems provides excellent synergies with our existing technology team and exciting growth opportunities.” Radway Control Systems specialises in the design and implementation of automation, control and information systems for a wide range of industries including automotive, chemicals, metals, renewables and water. It has a high degree of expertise in computer, PLC and drive application software, with a 24/7 breakdown cover and after sales service offering. Radway Control Systems is an ABB Drives Value Provider and Siemens Solution Partner. As part of the acquisition, approximately 30 employees, including the senior management team, will join BGEN Technology, and Radway Control Systems’ headquarters in Stoke will become part of BGEN’s network of UK regional offices. The transition of the company into BGEN’s operations will be overseen by Ian Oliver, Managing Director of Technology at BGEN, and it expected to be completed by Q2 of 2023. “The acquisition of the business supports our growth ambitions and it’s great that the senior management team (Jon Taylor and Andrew Stainsby) have joined BGEN Technology,” says Ian. “Radway Control Systems has some great experience in the industrial automation and digitalisation space, and we’re looking forward to integrating the team into our operations.” www.b-gen.com

LEDVANCE lightens the load of RoHS on installers

LEDVANCE is showcasing its portfolio of lighting products that conform to recent changes in the RoHS directive. The legislation, which regulates the use of mercury in lighting products, was revised in spring 2022 by the UK/EU commission, impacting what products are permitted on the market for installations. The use of mercury in lighting products was already prohibited in accordance with the RoHS directive. However, the directive had previously included exemptions for T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps, compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in bases (CFLni), HPD lamps and special-purpose lamps (e.g. UV-C lamps). Now, these exemptions, defined in Annex III of the regulation, have been amended by the EU RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU. The industry can expect a ban on all CFLni lamps from February 2023, and a ban on all T5 and T8 fluorescent lamps from August 2023. The amendments to RoHS signify the end for all T5/T8 fluorescent lamps and compact fluorescent lamps with plug-in bases in general lighting, which will have a significant impact on customers who are currently using these products. Many types of halogen lamps are already banned, and this prohibition is also being progressively further extended. From September 2023 halogen pin lamps can also no longer be placed on the market. Though the change is likely to cause anxiety for those in the lighting industry, LEDVANCE has chosen to present its portfolio in a way that simplifies the process for installers and wholesalers. The portfolio lists a product from the ban alongside a compliant alternative that can be substituted in its place. As LED products from LEDVANCE already greatly exceed the minimum requirements for lighting, this portfolio is thought to provide customers with innovative and future-proof solutions. Commenting on the change, Nelo Neves, Managing Director for LEDVANCE UK and Ireland says, “As a market leader in lamps, luminaires and electronic components, we strongly believe that we have a duty to support our customers in changes to legislation. Our current portfolio list makes changing to a different technology as easy as possible. If installers or wholesalers have any questions about switching to LED alternatives, they can simply contact our specialists directly and we’ll be more than happy to offer tailored advice.” www.ledvance.com

Electrician praise penalty: women are more likely to suffer poor mental health

As over two-thirds of female employees feel they deserve more recognition, how can more be done in the electrical industry to meet female employees’ recognition needs? According to a recent study, female employees are suffering from a ‘praise penalty’ at work. Female employees are 34% more likely than their male counterparts to experience mental health issues, such as stress or burnout, due to not having their efforts at work sufficiently acknowledged. Some 71% of female workers feel underappreciated. The Employee Recognition Survey - conducted by virtual team building and virtual escape room specialists Wildgoose - surveyed employees from 133 different UK companies. It asked them whether they receive enough praise and appreciation in the workplace, how they would react to a lack of recognition and how companies could better meet their ‘recognition needs’. Just 1% of UK skilled trade professionals employees are female according to the ONS. Despite this imbalance, societal pushes to address it are gradually taking effect - a report by GoCompare found there has been a 366% increase in the number of females enrolling in trade-focused apprenticeships over the last five years. However, employers must focus on retention as much as recruitment, with almost half (47%) of construction workers citing the male-dominated culture as a reason why so many women leave the industry. For the female employees already in skilled trade professions and with a new wave of female talent entering, it’s vital for companies to ensure their approach to employee recognition includes all members of the workforce. As well as affecting employee mental wellbeing, failing to recognise and value employees can also negatively impact the company itself. Over the last year, 42% of under-appreciated female employees said their productivity has dropped, while 38% said they’ve lost faith in the management team and the company’s core goals. What form of recognition do female employees want? Data from the Employee Recognition Survey emphasises the importance of regular meetings and one-to-one time for female employees: 57% want private recognition through regular, in-person meetings with their managers. 54% would like respect from colleagues, alongside regular feedback. Female employees value these things more than receiving a higher salary than the industry standard - which was cited by 43% of female respondents. Public recognition from above also counts for a lot: around a third (32%) of women have a preference for regular public appreciation or shout-outs from management. Commenting on the findings, Wildgoose Managing Director Jonny Edser says: “Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated for the work they do, so recognition really is a basic need at work. It’s clear that many UK companies aren’t providing their employees with enough recognition - and firms should realise that can affect their bottom lines. When organisations fulfil the ‘recognition needs’ of their workforce, the result is motivated, engaged employees, who are less likely to be off through poor mental health. “Here at Wildgoose, we offer a mix of in-person, hybrid and virtual events to help boost team morale and encourage relationships between colleagues and managers. Time and again, clients tell us that it really works.” www.wearewildgoose.com