Leading Players From Electrotechnical Supply Chain Back New Data Pool

Twenty-five leading manufacturers and wholesalers have signed up as Founder Members of EDATA, a new product data pool that is ‘by the industry, for the industry’. EDATA is the latest strategic initiative from the Electrical Distributors’ Association (EDA) under its EDA Data Services banner. E-commerce and digital transformation are inextricably linked to the availability of the highest quality product data, and EDATA offers manufacturers a central ‘single source of truth’ resource for uploading product information, technical data and images which wholesalers can download and serve up on their customer-facing e-commerce channels. Signing up for an initial three year term, founders have committed to uploading and downloading product data to kick-start the EDATA service. A group made up of representatives from each of the founders will steer the development of EDATA, which will be accessed through annual subscription, with the costs and benefits shared by all who subscribe. Once up and running, EDATA will be opened up to both EDA and non-EDA manufacturers and wholesalers. Margaret Fitzsimons, CEO of the EDA, comments, “It’s fantastic news that these EDA members and affiliated members are backing this new venture and helping us get it off the ground, because it is much needed. Industry owned data pools are widespread in other markets and sectors; so in this respect, the UK is somewhat behind. EDATA gives the UK’s electrotechnical supply chain the opportunity to say goodbye to the heavy workloads created by processing data through multiple channels and hello to enhanced ecommerce infrastructure.” Richard Appleton, General Manager of EDA Data Services, adds, “Digitalisation is an unstoppable force, and most EDA members will be developing a digital or multi-channel sales strategy. EDATA will overcome one of the major barriers by providing a single source of rich, ecommerce-friendly product data. Manufacturers benefit too, being able to syndicate their data through a single channel while retaining full control of how their products and brand are presented. “Our aim is for 250,000 products to be available via EDATA within three years. With this target in mind, EDA Data Services will work closely with each founder manufacturer to develop an onboarding project suited to their needs and situation, enabling data to be uploaded in the shortest possible time while retaining the required quality. EDATA will be supported with a comprehensive programme of market engagement and education.” EDATA will hold information in three categories: Manufacturer Master Data, the core data needed to identify a product; Digital Assets, such as images and data sheets; and Technical Attributes including dimensions, suitability and performance characteristics. The Technical Attributes held in EDATA will be structured in accordance with ETIM, the international data model for the standardisation and classification of technical product data enabling wholesalers to enhance their websites with powerful product searches and filters. The EDA has led the ETIM initiative for the UK’s electrotechnical sector since 2017. EDATA Founder Members – Wholesalers 1. BEMCO – British Electrical and Manufacturing Company 2. BED Electrical Distributors (Corby) 3. CEF 4. Edmundson Electrical 5. ERF Electrical Wholesalers 6. KEW Electrical Distributors 7. LEW Electrical Distributors 8. Rexel UK 9. R & M Electrical Group 10. Stearn Electric Co EDATA Founder Members – Manufacturers 11. ABB 12. Aico 13. Ansell Lighting 14. Deta Electrical Company 15. Eaton Electric 16. Electrium Sales (A Siemens Company) 17. Glen Dimplex Heating & Ventilation 18. Hager 19. LEDVANCE 20. Luceco 21. Prysmian Cables & Systems 22. Schneider Electric 23. Scolmore Group 24. Signify (Philips Lighting) 25. Vent-Axia

SkillELECTRIC 2020 Now Open For Entries

Electrotechnical apprentices can now register for this year’s SkillELECTRIC competition, which closes April 2, 2020. During the competition, entrants will be judged on a series of challenging practical tests in a bid to be named the 2020 SkillELECTRIC champion. The event, which is organised by National Electrotechnical Training (NET) and is part of the WorldSkills UK competition network, is designed to promote and showcase high standards and skills across the electrotechnical industry. Between April and June there will be a number of regional events across the UK. Those who score most highly will progress to a UK final held in November at the prestigious WorldSkills UK LIVE, the UK’s largest skills and careers event with over 80,000 visitors. Candidates may also have the chance to represent their country and compete internationally at future WorldSkills competitions. SkillELECTRIC is supported by a number of industry bodies including Scolmore Group, Edmundson Electrical, ESP, CPN-Cudis, Dickies Workwear and Di-LOG.  “Having a SkillELECTRIC competitor can help boost business performance as it teaches competitors to work efficiently under pressure and improves areas such as time management and precision,” says Jennie Phung, SkillELECTRIC Project Manager. “If you’ve got a shining star in your company we encourage you to work with your training provider to enter them into SkillELECTRIC.” Entries can be made via WorldSkills UK until April 2.  Click here to enter.

J S Wright Secures £3 Million Project At Fish Island

Mechanical and electrical building services contractor, J S Wright has secured a contract worth more than £3 million for the third and final phase of an estate regeneration in London’s Docklands.   The company, which has its headquarters in Birmingham and an office in central London, will supply and install all the mechanical services for 165 one to three-bedroom private and affordable apartments at Neptune Wharf in Fish Island Village, Hackney Wick. The Phase 3 apartments will be spread across five buildings with wharf-inspired designs inspired by the warehouse typology of the area’s industrial past. The buildings will include co-worker space run by social enterprise The Trampery. J S Wright was awarded the contract by developer Hill, in association with housing association Peabody, following its completion of the 423 private and affordable homes in the first two phases of the canalside development. The work will involve installing a low-temperature hot water heating system to deliver energy to the apartments from an energy centre already built by J S Wright in the basement car park for Phases 1 and 2 of the development. Low temperature hot water will be delivered through associated pipework to heat interface units that in turn will feed underfloor heating within each apartment. A boosted cold-water system will also be fitted for the domestic hot and cold-water supply. J S Wright will also install energy efficient mechanical ventilation heat recovery systems that will use the outgoing air from the apartments to heat incoming fresh air, as well as equip all the units and communal areas with dry risers and domestic sprinklers for fire protection. In addition, the company will fit the sanitary ware for each apartment, as well as an internal rainwater system and all above-ground drainage. It will also install building management controls including metering for each unit’s energy use. J S Wright is due to start work on site March 2020, with completion scheduled for May 2021. "We are thrilled that our excellent work on the first two phases of Neptune Wharf has resulted in fitting out the full complement of energy efficient homes in a development that should sustain a vibrant canalside community and reflect a rich industrial heritage,” says Phil Leech, Managing Director of J S Wright.

Government Set To Revive Onshore Wind Energy Production

The ECA reports that following its sustained pressure, as well as from other business and industry groups, the Government is reportedly set to reverse its moratorium on onshore wind energy. The move comes shortly after ECA wrote to the Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth, Kwasi Kwarteng calling for the Government to end its moratorium on onshore wind generation. The letter also called for equality in the funding and planning regime for onshore wind. ECA has also raised the matter in a number of Government consultations, and with the Minister during a public event in late 2019. “It is pleasing to see that ECA’s sustained calls in recent months to open Government funding back up to onshore and solar have not fallen on deaf ears,” says Luke Osborne, ECA energy solutions advisor.  “This development is a big deal - we really do need to use every option at our disposal to meet our ambitious climate change goals. This is likely to deliver net savings for bill-payers, and net benefits for the environment, although the devil will be in the detail.” Four years after the Government ended subsidies for onshore wind development, onshore wind and solar projects will once again be allowed to compete in the next round of government-backed auctions, called Contracts for Difference, alongside other renewable energy technologies. Figures show that onshore wind provides the most cost-effective and readily available source of renewable energy in the UK. For instance, the strike price for onshore wind generation is less than half the cost of nuclear power.

Pay Issues Cause Four In 10 SMEs To Suffer Mental Health Problems

Almost four in 10 small and medium-sized businesses (37%) across all industry sectors are encountering mental health issues among staff due to unfair payment practices, according to a new YouGov poll. The survey, commissioned by engineering services bodies ECA and BESA, identified mental health issues in SME staff due to late or unfair payments including: stress (29%), depression (14%), extreme anger (9%) and suicidal feelings (3%), directly resulting from late or unfair payment. Other major findings included: More than two in 10 (22%) SME owners have had to reduce their salary or stop taking a salary for a period of time, as a result of late or unfair payment. Those working for SME businesses in London reported the highest number of mental health issues among staff due to late or unfair payment (42%). Businesses in the North and East reported the smallest number of mental health issues (34% each). Compared to over 55s, under 35s were eight times more likely to say someone at their business had experienced suicidal feelings (8% vs 1%), and four times more likely to recognise self-harm among staff from unfair payment (4% vs 1%). “These shocking new findings show how late and unfair payment is causing a wave of mental health issues right across the economy and society,” says ECA Director of Legal and Commercial, Rob Driscoll. “With mental health now rightly in the spotlight, it’s beyond the pale that large businesses continue to impose such issues on SMEs across industry.” “This poll confirms what previous industry-wide surveys have shown – a dual crisis of mental health problems and unsustainable business practices,” adds BESA Head of Legal and Commercial, Debbie Petford. “With this growing evidence of the huge social and economic damage caused by systemic unfair payment practices, the question should no longer be what is the cost of reforming the status quo, but how can we afford not to?” Overall, just over seven in 10 SMEs (71%) across the entire economy are paid late. The worst affected sectors were legal (90%) and construction (82%). The construction sector, which faces the additional burden of cash retentions which other sectors do not encounter, also fared poorly among mental health issues from unfair payment. ECA and BESA are calling on the Government to give the Small Business Commissioner tougher powers to sanction late payers across every sector, as well as to legislating for a retentions deposit scheme to protect construction SMEs from systemic abuse of cash retentions and upstream insolvency. On behalf of ECA and BESA, YouGov surveyed 2,000 decision-makers among SME businesses, between 20 January – 3 February 2020. An SME is widely defined as a business with 249 or fewer employees. The pan-industry survey covered the following sectors:       Manufacturing       Construction       Retail       Finance and Accounting       Hospitality and leisure       Legal       IT & telecoms       Media/ marketing/ advertising/ PR & sales       Medical & health services       Education       Transportation & distribution       Real estate  

Tony Smith Is Finalist For BCIA Engineer Of The Year

The Building Control Industry Association (BCIA) has announced Tony Smith as a finalist for the Engineer of the Year Award. Smith is being recognised for his vital role in a number of education, manufacturing and government projects in South Wales. He has consistently helped customers to reduce their energy usage and environmental impact, most notably at Swansea University, where 18,000 students work across 37 buildings. The BCIA awards recognises innovation, product development, project delivery and great training in the building control sector. The 2020 Awards will be held on April 30th at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole. The Engineer of the year award is open to those who are driving innovation in engineering services business. The winner must have demonstrated an unparalleled capability, service and responsibility to clients, the supply chain and to staff.  Finalists include: Duncan Greene - Abtec Building Technologies Lawrence Nunn - Crown House Technologies Mark Clements - Crown House Technologies Tony Baverstock - InTandem Systems Ben Richards - Kendra Energy Solutions Tony Smith - Schneider Electric “We are delighted that Tony has been shortlisted for this prestigious award,” says Pradyumna Pandit, VP of Digital Energy at Schneider Electric. “These awards are an industry benchmark and encourage professionals to continue raising their standards of service. At Schneider Electric, we believe in recognising those who have achieved the highest standards and are looking forward to celebrating their success at the awards ceremony.” 

Measure voltage without test leads courtesy of Fluke

Until May 30, 2020, Fluke is offering its Fluke T6-600 electrical tester at an approximately 18% reduction on the recommended retail price when purchased at one of its authorised distributors. The T6-600 features FieldSense technology, which makes troubleshooting safer and more efficient by allowing electricians to take voltage and current measurements, not just detection, without test leads. Troubleshooting electrical systems can be time-consuming and potentially dangerous because it requires access to metallic contact points. Fluke T6 electrical testers make it possible to take reliable true-rms measurements in crowded junction boxes or along conductors with inaccessible end points, saving time, minimising potential errors, and greatly reducing the possibility of arc flash. The rugged T6-600 tester has a 600V CAT III safety rating and features an easy to read display with a backlight. With the Fluke T6-600 tester, electricians can: Be safer: Measure voltage up to 600V AC through the open fork without test leads or exposed conductors. Be faster: With no need to open panels or remove wire nuts, electricians can speed through troubleshooting. Be more efficient: Toggle between displays of voltage and current, measure resistance up to 1kOhm, and also measure frequency. Be everywhere: With the widest open fork in the industry – 11.7mm diameter - the T6 testers measure wires up to AWG 4/0 with current up to 200A AC. For more information about all Fluke products, visit www.fluke.co.uk.

How do you check those surges? Metrel explains

Brendan Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK - a supplier of innovative test solutions - explains how its multi-function testers can help with SPD testing. This video from the Learning Lounge is amazing and justifies the use of SPDs in all installations, but it does not answer the question, "How you check they are working properly?" At a recent exhibition, having a coffee, I shared a table with a contractor when he looked across at a stand and asked me, "How do you test them then?” At first I was unsure what he was talking about, but then then realised we were looking straight at a stand displaying and selling surge protection devices. He went on to say, "If RCDs can fail out of the box, why don’t surge protectors? Of course, there is the indicator, but things go wrong in manufacture and the 18th Edition drives us to fit them now; but at the end of the day, I am responsible if these devices fail. There seems no way I can protect myself." I was about to sympathise with him, when I remembered that Metrel multi-function testers have offered an SPD function test for many years. It just hasn’t been spoken about because the installation of surge protection was relatively unusual until the 17th Edition Amendment 1 brought it to the forefront of contractors’ minds. It is a very simple two wire test. The instrument ramps up a test voltage and detects when current flows, and displays and can record the value of the voltage at which this happens. This is quick, easy and reassuring. For further information, visit www.metrel.co.uk.

Gira Supports Light + Building’s Decision To Postpone

Gira has announced that it will exhibit at Light + Building 2020, which has been postponed until September this year due to the spread of the coronavirus in Europe. The trade fair for lighting and building services technology is now set to take place from September 27 to October 2 2020 at the Frankfurt am Main Exhibition Centre in Germany. This approach by Messe Frankfurt has been unreservedly approved by the trade associations, ZVEI and ZVEH, the two partners of the international event. Despite Gira working passionately towards Light + Building 2020 previously scheduled for March, it completely supports Messe Frankfurt’s decision to postpone the event. Gira is committed to responsible behaviour and as a guiding principle, it drives to protect human life with all measures that effectively serve this goal taking top priority.  “We look forward to exhibiting at Light + Building later in the year, and commend Messe Frankfurt for doing its best to manage the risk and worldwide concern regarding the transmission of coronavirus,” says Mark Booth, Managing Director, Gira UK. Gira represents systematic modern building technology, which makes home living more convenient, more secure and more energy-efficient. For this purpose, Gira offers intelligent functions and user-friendly devices for the easy and convenient control of lighting, heating, and blinds, as well as door communication, multimedia, and security systems.  Gira product groups include: Home and building automation Switch and plug systems Light control equipment, dimmer switches Motion detectors Bus technology for homes and buildings (cable or wireless) Door communication systems Alarm systems Smoke detectors Emergency-call systems

Tamlite Urges Businesses To Take Advantage Of Enhanced Capital Allowance

Tamlite Lighting is urging businesses to take advantage of the Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) before the scheme closes at the end of March. The scheme was aimed at encouraging businesses to invest in energy-saving equipment specified in the Energy Technology List (ETL) to help reduce carbon emissions which contribute to climate change. The ECA allows businesses to write-off 100% of qualifying investments against corporation tax in the year in which they make the investment. The ETL is one of the world’s largest databases of top performing energy-saving products, with around 14,000 products listed. Modern LED lighting qualifies for the scheme, but due to the large number of products available, it is an unlisted category. Efficient white lighting units, white LED lighting modules for backlit illuminated signs and lighting controls are all eligible for the tax relief. However, it was announced in the Chancellor’s Budget in 2018 that the ECA Scheme will end in March 2020. With that deadline fast approaching, Tamlite is urging businesses to take another look at whether they can benefit from the scheme. “With energy costs increasing and an even greater focus on what businesses can do to tackle climate change, finding ways to reduce energy consumption whilst reducing carbon emissions is top priority,” says Colin Lawson, Head of Market Intelligence Tamlite Lighting. “Lighting is a cost-effective investment that can deliver significant and long-term benefits, and gaining tax relief through the Enhanced Capital Allowance scheme makes it an even more attractive investment. Although the scheme is coming to an end, it still provides businesses with a great opportunity to invest in the latest energy efficient lighting systems. And we would urge organisations to look again at how they can take advantage of the measures before the March deadline. “Our expert design and technical teams can advise business owners through the process of specifying and buying energy efficient lighting. We are keen to help as many organisations benefit from the scheme before it closes and would them to take swift action so they don’t miss out.”