Positronic Goldfish power connectors available from Lane Electronics

Positronic Goldfish is part of the Positronic market leading range of high reliability power and signal connectors offering mission critical performance available from Lane Electronics. The versatile GFSH range offers designers hot-swap capability (mating and un-mating while powered up) with secure blind mating, allowing for up to 2mm misalignment. These features along with the compact form and combination layouts makes the Goldfish range suited to the latest compact, high-reliability power delivery and control systems. Users may specify combinations of 20A, 30A, 35A and 50A solid machined contacts in a mixed density package. Multiple contact sizes allow the mixing of AC/DC input, signal, and DC distributed output in a single compact connector. Goldfish connectors offer six contact options with touch-safe recessed female contacts and large surface area (LSA) contacts combining energy saving with low contact resistance. The precision copper alloy gold plated contacts are rated at 500 mating cycles. The larger GG series of connectors provides a similar modular approach of multiple contact sizes in one connector and introduces larger contact sizes up to 200A and 1000 mating cycles. Options across both GFSH and GG ranges include sequential mating, solder PCB mount, crimp, press-fit and bus-bar terminations and a choice of panel mount, float mount or jackscrew fixing and a wide variety of cable clamp hood accessories. Lane Electronics is an ideal source for all key connector types including circular, filtered, RF, coaxial, subminiature, backshells and adaptors, D connectors, aerospace, test and measurement, IDC, PCB connectors, edge connectors and connectors for rack and panel applications. Lane Electronics can supply a wide range of high power, D-Sub, rectangular, modular and circular Positronic connectors suitable for industrial, medical, aerospace and MIL applications.

Greater choice looms large with SpektroLED from Knightsbridge

LED lighting applications and installations are set to be transformed with the launch of an innovative, brand new downlight from Knightsbridge. The new downlight can be configured to offer 40 variants from the one product thanks to its selectable wattages and CCTs and choices of bezel. Depending on the required illumination either 5W (up to 465 lumens) or 8W (up to 795 lumens) can be pre-selected via a switch on the rear of the lamp body. Once chosen, there are four CCTs available – 2700K, 3000K, 4000K and 6000K – the desired colour temperature selected by a sliding switch also on the rear of the lamp body. Further customisation is then possible through the various bezel options that allow the lamp to complement or contrast with a room’s décor or colourways. The bezels come in a choice of stylish finishes from popular white and matt black to chrome, polished chrome and brass. These permutations of wattage, colour temperature and bezel choice make SpektroLED a genuine 40-in-1 solution. Installation is both quick and simple. Each unit, which has a low-profile design, features cleverly engineered first and second fix power connectors with loop in/loop out terminals that can be terminated and hidden away while other works are finished. Then the downlight can be simply plugged in to complete the installation after decoration, avoiding the issue of paint-damaged bezels! The connectors also allow the luminaire to be removed for maintenance or even re-programming by simply unplugging them. Furthermore, the downlight is fire rated for solid timber, web joist and I-joist installation and is also IC rated so retaining the efficiency of any mineral wool insulation in the ceiling void. And with an IP65 rating from below, it is suitable for use in bathrooms, wet rooms or other rooms where moisture is prevalent. Once installed, SpektroLED will give 50,000 hours of rated LED life and can be used with leading and trailing-edge dimmers should the need arise, though compatibility should be verified beforehand. A five-year warranty guarantees peace of mind. With the launch of SpektroLED, Knightsbridge is providing greater freedoms for user-determined lighting projects and making life for the installer so much simpler.

Light the Way with the Innovative New C.K Inspection Lights

C.K’s Lighting range includes a fantastic selection of innovative lighting products, with a range of advanced features and benefits, including the very latest in LED lighting technology. The new range of high performance C.K Inspection Lights are no exception, offering the best powerful lighting solutions for a multitude of low light working conditions. T9423USB – C.K COB Mini Inspection Light 240 – Rechargeable   Ideal for illuminating smaller low-lit spaces, this high performance 240 lumen COB-LED Mini Inspection Light is fully rechargeable with up to 2.5 hrs battery life, and two lighting modes – high, dimmed.  At just 89mm in height this aluminium bodied super bright mini light is the perfect addition to any tool kit, vehicle clove box or cupboard at home. Other features include a handy integrated pocket clip and magnetic base; and a type C USB charger cable. T9424USB – C.K COB Inspection Light 240 – Rechargeable   This premium aluminium bodied 240 lumen COB-LED rechargeable Inspection Light, packs a host of additional features; four lighting modes – standard, red, torch, tip – an integrated magnet, a clamp and a hanging hook make it perfect for hands-free working in any situation. The powerful integrated rechargeable 3.7V 1200mAh Li-Ion battery delivers up to 2.5hrs in standard/red modes, up to 4hrs for the torch, and up to 14hrs for the tip light.  The product is also supplied with type C USB charger cable. T9425USB – C.K COB Inspection Light 400 – Rechargeable   For even more power, this quality aluminium bodied 400 lumen COB-LED rechargeable Inspection Light has all the features of its smaller sibling – standard, red, torch and tip lighting modes, an integrated magnet, a clamp and a hanging hook – and benefits from a larger capacity integrated rechargeable 3.7V 2600mAh Li-Ion battery delivering even longer working time; standard/red up to 3hrs, torch up to 5hrs, and tip up to 17hrs, making it the perfect do-all inspection light for trade professionals working in low light conditions for long periods of time. The inspection light is also supplied with type C USB charger cable. The perfect answer for providing bright, powerful illumination in low-lit work areas, the new range of C.K Inspection Lights are designed to allow tasks to be completed quickly and easily.

Working together with you for climate control

Not only will you stay warm with Snickers Workwear’s 37.5 Technology clothing, you’ll look and feel cool too. With styles for both professional tradesmen and women, they excel at climate control and ventilation to keep you cool and moisture transportation to stop you getting cold. They work together to keep you working comfortably wherever you are on site. The 37.5 Technology fabric is a very quick-drying material that captures and releases moisture vapour - like your sweat - for superior coolness and dry working comfort. It’s integrated into selected Snickers Workwear base- mid- and top-layer garments to keep you working at your best whatever the weather. After all, keeping a balanced work temperature is not just about staying cool and in great shape, it’s a matter of your wellbeing and job safety. So, to make sure you get the right protection, visibility, flexibility, durability and ventilation, check out the Climate Control garments from Snickers Workwear that work together to suit your workday.

EDATA welcomes Legrand as its 50th manufacturer

Legrand has become the 50th manufacturer to sign up to EDATA, the industry-run data pool. Launched in 2020, EDATA’s mission is to facilitate digitalisation of the UK electrotechnical sector bringing tangible benefits for the supply chain through the creation, management, and transfer of accurate, consistent, high quality product data with ETIM (the global product data standard) at its heart. A strategic initiative of the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA), it is a “by the industry for the industry” asset that has the backing and input of many sector stakeholders. Steve Marr, Marketing Director of the manufacturer, says: “We have a long-standing commitment to the digitalisation of the industry and joining EDATA is testament to this. Improving the quality of our data and sharing this with our partners and customers is a key driver for us as we continue on this journey. Partnering with the EDA is just one of the ways we're making Legrand data available in line with customer requirements.” Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO at the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) adds, “Legrand is a key player in this sector and a valuable addition to the data pool – we are delighted that they have made this commitment and we, and their designated wholesaler customers, look forward to having access to their excellent product data via EDATA.”

TECTON IP64/IP54: Light that defies the elements

Additional protection plus the classic installation convenience you know and love. Zumtobel’s new TECTON IP64/IP54 continuous-row lighting system is equipped for use in harsh industrial conditions. Resistant materials and a sophisticated sealing concept protect the modular system from dust and water splashes. Users can expect the same high level of flexibility with the added IP protection. "You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs" - this saying can be applied to industry. Wherever production takes place, dust flies, for example in metal, wood, or paper processing. Where moisture or cold prevail indoors or outdoors, it can be abrasive and harsh, such as in multi-storey car parks or in refrigerated logistics. These locations also represent an endurance test for the building infrastructure, including the lighting. however, industrial areas are heavily reliant on long-lasting lighting - sometimes around the clock. For these reasons, Zumtobel is expanding its modular TECTON continuous-row lighting system to include IP64/IP54 protection. All sensitive joints are reliably sealed, opening additional areas for use of TECTON in applications with increased levels of dust and/or water. Tight from the track to the luminaire All critical joints and connections of Zumtobel's TECTON IP64/IP54 lighting solutions are fitted with sealing components, creating comprehensive protection against dust and water splashes. The upper and lateral surfaces of the corrosion-resistant trunking are completely enclosed and smooth, so they do not provide any surface for dust or water to attack and are also easy to clean. In the joint area between two support rails, a sealing sleeve prevents dirt and/or water from penetrating into the rail interior. Foam seals inside the profiles of the luminaires and translucent sealing strips between the lens elements protect the LEDs from contamination. Between the continuous-row modules and the trunking, foam beads blackened with soot on the outer profile wall ensure a dust and water-protected connection point. The end caps of the continuous-row luminaires and modules are made of resistant plastic that is firmly bonded to a soft sealing lip. The elastic material of the lip ensures a tight connection between modules and cover strips. Laterally running TPE seals close the joint between rail and cover strip and ensure both tight transitions and a clean appearance. Future-proof thanks to modular, flexible concept Each TECTON trunking has five mains' cables, two control cables and two independent emergency lighting circuits. This means that not only general lighting, but also emergency lighting and lighting controls can be seamlessly integrated into the overall system. All modules can be mounted on the trunking rail without tools. Thanks to a new locking mechanism, with integrated sealing plugs, the luminaires, sensors, and emergency lighting modules can be securely fastened with a flick of the wrist via two lateral levers. The TECTON continuous-row lighting system adapts quickly to changing requirements. This is ensured by the trunking rail with its 11-pole integrated current conducting section and a pre-mounted butt joint connector. This enables continuous current tapping along the entire length of the rail. The seals at the joints do not detract from the functionality of the track. Even between two tracks, the lighting components can be flexibly positioned, added to, or moved. If you are interested in learning more about TECTON, you can explore the variety of combination options online and put together your individual continuous-row lighting system with just a few clicks of a mouse using the TECTON system configurator.

Budget misses opportunity to support transition to a green economy

ECA, the leading electrotechnical trade association, applauds the shift to a higher wage, higher skills economy underlined by Rishi Sunak in his budget. However, ECA sees the lack of support for the transition to a green economy as a serious omission. The widely trailed skills pledge also won’t necessarily deliver the right type of training to produce the highly skilled and adaptable workers necessary to produce the new low carbon homes and infrastructure promised in the budget. Commenting on the budget, ECA’s Director of Workforce and Public Affairs, Andrew Eldred outlines the attributes of a highly skilled worker: “While we welcome the relief for small businesses installing green technologies, creating a low carbon building is not just about new tech, it’s also about what goes on behind the scenes. "Highly skilled workers are central to finding the right solution to make a building function efficiently. A skilled worker finds the right solutions to reduce carbon emissions, rather using a one size fits all approach. "Fast-track training routes, such as bootcamps may be counterproductive. If an installer doesn’t understand how their technology interacts with the rest of a building it can prove expensive and even dangerous for the consumer.” Andrew further reflects on the budget: “We’d have liked to see more about investment in green upskilling, and particularly about increasing our engineering and technical capacity to deliver the transition to a green economy. We remain concerned about the lack of nationwide planning for EV charging points, and critically there was little about encouraging the further decarbonisation of the grid with more renewable energy and by abolishing disproportionate levies on electricity."

EnviroVent reveals sustainability roadmap to achieve net-zero

EnviroVent has revealed its Roadmap to Net-Zero, which will see the company achieve net-zero carbon across its business by 2030. The company’s Roadmap to Net-Zero will generate emissions savings of over 1,000 tonnes of carbon in the next 10 years. Jane McLean, Quality & Environmental Systems Manager at EnviroVent, explains: “Environmental sustainability is very important to us as a business and to many of our public and private sector customers. We’re delighted to be revealing our Roadmap to Net-Zero, which gives a very clear route that we will follow to achieve our environmental targets. To add to this, all our products are designed to use minimal amount of energy and we recycle parts from systems we replace, wherever possible. As a result, customers buying our ventilation systems can be safe in the knowledge they are giving back to the planet.” To meet the ambitious target of Net-zero carbon by 2030, EnviroVent has put in place a number of sustainability practices to reduce the company’s carbon footprint. Recently this has included committing to planting 5,000 trees per year as part of a new partnership with MoreTrees, an organisation that will plant trees responsibly on the company’s behalf over a long-term period and then manage them for life. Planting 5,000 trees every year will remove a total of approximately 1,500 tonnes of CO2 from the atmosphere. EnviroVent’s Roadmap to Net-Zero also includes plans to relocate to a zero carbon purpose-built headquarters in 2022, which will be heated sustainably via air source heat pumps and  its electricity will be generated via solar panels. The building will also incorporate a MVHR heat recovery system, which recovers the energy from extracted air to retain a comfortable environment for employees and ensure all year round good indoor air quality. In addition, the headquarters will feature optimum building design for insulation and will have electric charging points for vehicles to promote green travel by staff and visitors. The company has also focused on reducing emissions through its fleet as part of its Roadmap to net-zero via a combination of upgrading company vehicles and replacing diesel-fuelled cars with hybrid vehicles. For example, EnviroVent’s chosen plug-in hybrid vehicles will allow a major reduction in CO2 emissions and a 40 per cent reduction in fuel consumption compared to a petrol or diesel vehicle. EnviroVent is also involved in a number of projects that will help its social and private housing customers to reduce the carbon footprint and energy usage in their housing stock. Project 80 by the housing association Midland Heart is a new build scheme in Birmingham that will meet the Government’s Future Homes Standard, reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%. EnviroVent’s energiSava 250 MVHR (Mechanical Ventilation Heat Recovery) systems are being used within a number of the 12 homes being built here. Homes will be monitored constantly as this research and development programme will be used to inform the Government’s next consultation about the Future Homes Standard, which will be compulsory for all new homes built by 2025. Rebecca McLean, Marketing and Product Director at EnviroVent, says: “We are delighted to be involved in the Project 80 programme in providing the whole house MVHR systems to ensure good indoor air quality for residents. To be part of such a collaborative project to inform debate and input into this important consultation will be essential as we move forward to understand more about the Future Homes Standard.”

Trojan Energy launches project for on-street EV charging

Trojan Energy has announced a new project to develop a single, publicly accessible electric vehicle (EV) charge point that can be installed on the street outside a customer’s home and powered by their domestic electricity supply – the first on-street charger to allow this. The new Aon Charger is being developed as part of the DoorSTEP project and will use Trojan Energy’s proprietary ‘flat and flush’ charging technology currently being demonstrated in the STEP project. Trojan’s chargers sit below the pavement surface and users access them by inserting a Trojan ‘lance’ to connect the charge point to their vehicle. This means there is no permanent clutter at the kerb when no EVs are charging. For the Aon Charger, an underground cable connects the charge point in the street to the home’s consumer unit via a small control box installed on the user’s property. This set-up will allow those without off-street parking to access the same low-cost charging rates available to EV drivers with chargers installed on private driveways or in garages. As the Aon Charger is installed in the street, the host can make it available to other EV drivers, helping to share the cost and increasing access to public charging in the area. In addition, with the charge point funded by the users, the burden on local authority budgets to provide public charging can be reduced. The project is funded by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) in partnership with Innovate UK (IUK). As part of the project, 25 prototype units will be trialled on selected streets in the London Borough of Brent and in three districts of Oxfordshire; South and West Oxfordshire and the Vale of the White Horse. Brent Council and Oxfordshire County Council are key project partners and hope to understand how the technology can be used to provide charging for residents that are under-served by existing charge point technologies. Ian Mackenzie, CEO of Trojan Energy comments: “We are excited to be bringing a new version of our charging system to reality, with great partners who share our commitment to solving the interesting regulatory and contractual challenges that arise from an architecture that’s not been tried before. We know the trialists are going to love being able to charge right outside their front doors.” The DoorSTEP trial, running from February to July 2022, is seeking to recruit two types of participants to use the technology; one will have the technology installed at their property (which will need to meet certain criteria), the other will have access to the charge points installed near to them but will not host the hardware themselves. Councillor Pete Sudbury, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Climate Change Delivery and Environment, comments: “Not having a safe and secure spot for recharging is one of the main barriers to people getting an electric vehicle. That’s why schemes like this are so important. We are delighted to be involved in this trial scheme and will move as swiftly as possible to a widespread roll-out of schemes like this in the near future.”

Energy Advice Line launched to tackle fuel poverty

A new service is being launched by UK Power Networks to support customers struggling to pay their bills, to save people from fuel poverty this winter. The service, called UK Power Networks Energy Advice Line, is being run in partnership with AgilityEco, a leading fuel poverty services provider, to provide additional help to customers living in vulnerable circumstances. The Energy Advice Line will assess customers’ individual circumstances and provide practical advice as well as help them access targeted support. Eligible customers will receive personalised guidance and one-to-one support to tackle financial and energy matters at the root cause of fuel poverty. Support includes; fuel poverty advice, income maximisation guidance and ensuring customers are on the best energy tariff as well as helping them apply for the Warm Home Discount and available grants. In London, the South East and East of England alone there are almost one million households in or at risk of entering fuel poverty. This number is only set to rise as a result of the pandemic. Households need support now more than ever and UK Power Networks’ Energy Advice Line comes at a crucial time. The service is expected to improve the health, wellbeing and financial circumstances of those who find themselves in challenging situations. UK Power Networks’ customer service staff will identify households eligible for the service. They will then refer the customer to the Energy Advice Line where experts will provide practical advice and tailored support on energy efficiency, utility bills and household finances. This partnership builds upon the work of the fuel poverty programme which has seen UK Power Networks work with 32 fuel poverty partners on over 39 projects in 2020 to deliver in-depth personalised support to around 14,000 households, saving them £2.7 million. The company doesn’t set energy bills but runs the substations and cabling infrastructure which deliver electricity to local homes and businesses. Ian Cameron, head of customer services and innovation at UK Power Networks, says: “Electricity is a service essential for life. Our customers rely on it, and some lives depend on it. At UK Power Networks, we have a social responsibility to our customers. After what has been another tough year for many, as we enter the colder months there has never been a more important moment to stand up and take action to support those who are in or at risk of entering fuel poverty. This partnership will ensure that our customers in most need can receive timely in-depth support if they are struggling to pay their energy bills.” Caroline Joseph, community programmes director at AgilityEco comments: “We are delighted to work in partnership with UK Power Networks to deliver its new advice line. Together with Auriga Services, our experienced team of in-house energy advisors will be delivering a vital energy support helpline, servicing households across the South East of England, offering free telephone-based support to reduce bills, stay warm and signposting households to other local support services they might not be aware of. “This is the first time we’ve worked with a Distribution Network Operator to help roll out an energy advice service. UK Power Networks is dedicated to providing extra support to the households it serves.”