NAPIT Expo Is Back And Bigger Than Ever For 2017

The NAPIT Expo team will be putting on their biggest show yet at four major locations in the UK, with a line-up of technical presentations set to impress. The free-to-attend exhibition will take place all day from 12-8pm. At each event there will be two seminar sessions running for three hours. Each session will be the same to allow working tradespeople to have the option of which sessions suit them best. This year, visitors will experience the ultimate masterclass in electrical installation and inspection. There will be an interactive codebreaker session helping to clear the mist on EICR code dilemmas and applications. NAPIT’s group technical director, Frank Bertie, and regional inspections manager, Paul Chaffers, will be on the presenters' panel at each event giving their expert opinion and insight on the topics, and will be able to answer any questions you might have. There will also be guest speakers from the IET discussing the fast approaching release of the 18th Edition of The Wiring Regulations, plus guest presenter James Eade from E-Mech Entertainment Engineering, addressing temporary electrical installations with more speakers yet to be announced. As always, the show will be hosted by NAPIT group chief executive Mike Andrews, who comments: “This year we are hosting our biggest expo yet, packed full of technical topics vital for tradespeople in the electrical industry to be in the know. The masterclass will address and explore issues and topics which are vital to the industry as set out by the experts. We will also be showcasing a range of essential services and manufacturers to meet the needs of our members, making this a show not to be missed!” NAPIT Expo will kick off in Bristol this September. Venues include:   Bristol: NAPIT Training Centre, Bristol: 7th September 2017 Birmingham: Birmingham City FC, St. Andrews Stadium: 12th October 2017 Leeds: Leeds United FC, Elland Rd: 7th November 2017 London: Kempton Park Racecourse, Sunbury-on-Thames: 16th November 2017 Be sure to save the date for an expo at the city nearest to you and keep up to date with more details as and when they are released by visiting www.napitexpo.co.uk.

NG Bailey Joins The Fight To Defeat Dementia

NG Bailey has joined the fight to defeat dementia, following the launch of a £75,000 fundraising partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK. NG Bailey’s employees voted overwhelmingly in favour of Alzheimer's Research UK becoming its second ever charity of the year. The company has set an ambitious target of raising £75,000 for the UK’s leading dementia research charity, which will be used to help fund world class pioneering research focusing on diagnosis, prevention, treatment and a cure for dementia. Cal Bailey, NG Bailey’s group sustainability director, comments: “We are delighted to be announcing our charitable partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK. Dementia is a cause that has touched many of our employees’ lives in some way, which is why this wonderful charity won our staff vote. “Our partnership is not only about raising funds but about giving our people an opportunity to learn more about dementia. Volunteers from across our company are already coming forward with fundraising ideas, and we are looking forward to really getting started.” Jade Rolph, corporate partnerships manager at Alzheimer's Research UK, adds: “We are absolutely delighted that NG Bailey has selected Alzheimer's Research UK to be its charity of the year. While our partnership is only just getting started, we have been blown away by the enthusiasm and motivation of NG Bailey staff to raise funds for our vital cause. “There are currently 850,000 people in the UK living with dementia and this number is expected to rise to one million by 2025. Despite this, there are no effective treatments to delay or stop the diseases that cause it. It is our mission to bring an end to the heartache caused by dementia and we could not achieve this without the support of companies like NG Bailey.”

Apollo Fire Detectors Specified For Innovative Bulgarian Project

Nearly 500 devices from the Apollo Fire Detectors XP95 range have been specified for a new innovative office, meeting and leisure development in Bulgaria’s capital city of Sofia. The Collider Activity Centre is located within the Mladost area on the edge of central Sofia and its modern design draws upon the local mountainous landscape for its inspiration. The centre provides formal and casual meeting spaces, offices, restaurant and bar amenities and leisure facilities, including a climbing area, bouldering room, multi-purpose sports rooms, fitness spaces, spa and a swimming pool, ensuring a comfortable environment for all visitors. The centre is equipped with the latest technology and needed a fire detection system that could meet all of the challenges of a modern, large multi-purpose space. Pissat Engineering was awarded the contract for the design of the fire system for the new build development, with devices fitted by its installation partner, Elve. The resulting fire detection system comprises nearly 500 devices which have been installed to protect the site, its staff and visitors. This consists of 300 XP95 optical detectors, 90 XP95 heat detectors, 50 Manual Call Points, 30 XP95 open area sounders and 20 input/output modules, all from Apollo. The XP95 range from Apollo Fire Detectors encompasses a number of features which make it ideally suited to large scale installations such as this centre, the established intelligent technology offers a reliability proven repeatedly in the field. Physically, the detectors have been designed to have a low profile which allows the XP95 range to blend unobtrusively into its surroundings. The XP95 range includes an ionisation and optical smoke detector, a heat detector and a multi-sensor. It uses the same open, digital protocol as all Apollo intelligent detectors, which means any XP95 based system is simple to extend or upgrade. The fire detectors are robustly designed, can operate over a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels and include features designed to minimise false readings caused by dust or vapour, including drift compensation. Speaking about the specification of Apollo Fire Detectors for the project, Jivko Diney from Pissat Engineering comments: “We chose Apollo detectors because of their 10-year warranty offering, open protocol system and proven track record of reliable installation. The result is perfect and we recommend Apollo Fire Detectors to all our clients.” Ed Browning, sales & marketing director at Apollo Fire Detectors, adds: “Apollo was delighted to have been chosen to protect such an iconic new development. The Collider Activity Centre is a beautiful building with great architecture and we’re proud to have been involved in this exciting Bulgarian project."

Stuart Pearce Tops The Bill At Live South

Tickets are selling fast for what promises to be one of the biggest events in the electrical calendar, as the countdown to Live South begins. The award winning conference and exhibition from NICEIC and ELECSA will return to Epsom Downs Racecourse on Thursday 18th May, featuring a range of star speakers, practical sessions and a chance to meet the industry’s leading suppliers all in one place. Former England international and under-21s manager Stuart Pearce will top the bill, regaling contractors with his tales of life as a sparkie; something he continued for a time even while playing football at a high level. The event will also be notable for Tony Cable’s final appearance before his well earned retirement. Alongside Darren Staniforth, he will be presenting a seminar looking at the upcoming 18th Edition, and the implications for contractors. Other notable sessions include a look at the commercial opportunities in the electrical industry over the next three years by Certsure’s Mark Smith, an examination of the code of practice for LED lighting by Mark Coles of the IET, and an interactive technical debate where contractors will be able to pose questions to a technical team consisting of representatives from NICEIC, ELECSA and the IET. Mark Smith, director of marketing and communications at Certsure, comments: “Live South is a great day out for any contractor looking to find out about the latest goings on in the electrical industry and provides a useful insight into how they can help boost their business. “This year’s event promises to be extra special as it will be the final appearance of Tony Cable and we are expecting a large audience to give him a great send off.” Tickets cost just £29 plus VAT for NICEIC, ELECSA and ECA contractors, and £49 plus VAT for non-registered contractors. Exhibition-only and apprentice passes are free of charge. To book your place visit: www.niceic-elecsalive.com

New Initiative Shows Increasing Importance Of CSR

A major new survey on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is now open to electrotechnical businesses, after being launched by the Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA). The survey is being supported by the Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS) – the national scheme to improve the image of the construction industry. The survey aims to establish the extent to which the electrotechnical sector is actively engaged with CSR, along with identifying the future opportunities and challenges. The launch of the initiative is the ECA's next step on the way to leading on the CSR agenda and helping engineering services companies to project the best possible image to stakeholders, backed by effective action. Paul Reeve, director of business services at the ECA, says: “A growing number of clients and main contractors are now asking about CSR and sustainability during procurement – so this survey is very timely. “Whether we are considering large or small companies, the electrotechnical sector already has a very good CSR story to tell, but we want to help more companies to engage successfully with CSR issues, and to present the industry to best effect with clients, customers and other stakeholders." Edward Hardy, chief executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme, comments: “CSR is a core part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme’s Code of Considerate Practice, and we are delighted that the ECA is undertaking this survey to understand the current level of engagement in CSR activities across its members. “Every part of construction has an essential role in helping to improve the image of the industry and we look forward to the results of the survey, and how we can work with the ECA and its members to extend our reach within the electrotechnical industry.” In autumn last year, the ECA began partnering with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, in a joint effort to promote CSR best practice across the industry. This includes supporting CCS’s ‘Code of Considerate Practice’, which commits scheme registrants to care about appearance, respect the community, protect the environment, secure everyone’s safety and value their workforce. The ECA has a preferential arrangement with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, which allows member firms to receive a discount on voluntary registration with the scheme. The ECA already offers a range of tailored support to members, including expert guidance on managing CSR, and associated topics such as sustainability, health and safety, and ethical employment. The overall survey findings will be shared with key stakeholders in the second quarter of this year. The CSR survey can be completed here by ECA members, with entrants entered into a draw to win an iPad Mini. The survey is open until Monday 1st May.

Goodlight T8 LED Tubes Payback In Just Eight Months For Quorn Foods

LED Eco Lights has announced that Quorn Foods has replaced the fluorescent tubes at its 13,000ft2 manufacturing site in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, with high performance, energy efficient T8 LED tubes from the Goodlight range. Quorn Foods achieved a payback on the installation of the Goodlight T8 LED tubes in just eight months, significantly reducing its carbon footprint. The Stokesley site is its principal manufacturing site with 600 staff operating four production lines that create Quorn’s well known range of healthy meat free foods. Derek Passmore, electrical engineer at Quorn, says: “Goodlight gave us a four-fold advantage. We’ve reduced our costs, reduced our carbon footprint, reduced the maintenance workload and improved the working environment for our staff. It’s rare to make everyone happy, but replacing fluorescent tubes with Goodlight LED light fittings has pleased management, staff and made our lives easier. It was also quick, easy and economic.” Goodlight T8 tubes draw just 22W, giving Quorn Foods a direct energy saving of 60% compared to the 55W fluorescent tubes that they replaced. On top of this, Quorn achieved significant additional energy savings from the reduction in the load on the air conditioning systems. As a food manufacturing site, Quorn Foods needs to maintain the temperature on the production floor at a consistent 10˚C. Even when the outside temperature is below this figure, the heat generated by the machinery and the lighting means that air-conditioning is required. For Quorn Foods management, the environmental impact matters as much as the economics. Quorn believes its meat alternative food products improve the health of both its customers and the planet, and it was the first global meat alternative brand to achieve third party certification of its carbon footprint figures. The reduction in carbon footprint delivered by the Goodlight T8 LED tubes was therefore extremely attractive. Installing the Goodlight LED tubes was simple according to Derek Passmore. “The Goodlight tubes were an exact replacement for the fluorescent lights that we took out. We were fitting about 10 an hour. In a food production environment, getting access to replace failed tubes is always awkward, but the Goodlight tubes are guaranteed for five years and rated at 50,000 hours, so we won’t need to look at them again for a long time. We will also no longer need to replace the diffusers. In the past, these have gradually deteriorated, become brittle and broken due to the exposure to heat from the lights – but with the efficient Goodlight LED tubes this should no longer be an issue.” Quorn Foods selected the daylight colour temperature, and were delighted with the improvement in the ambiance on the production floor. Derek concludes, “Goodlight T8 LED tubes give a much cleaner, whiter light than the fluorescent tubes that they replaced. Our staff really appreciate the improvement in their working environment. For example, it is much easier now to assess the colour of food samples. The fact that Goodlight LED tubes are glass free is an added advantage.” LED Eco Lights Goodlight T8 tubes are a direct replacement for standard T8 fluorescent tubes, and are available in daylight, natural and warm white colour temperatures. They feature rotatable pins for precise focused lighting, and are available with frosted or clear polycarbonate diffusers. Goodlight LED T8 tube lamps are available in emergency versions for use with battery back up and are fully dimmable.  

Innermost Joins The Lighting Industry Academy As An Ambassador

Since 1999, Innermost’s rebellious approach to lighting has come from a shared anarchic pursuit of design freedom, a belief that you have to embrace the absurd in order to innovate. This approach has also led to Innermost becoming the latest company to join the Lighting Industry Academy (Academy) as an ambassador. Innermost has innovation and a little absurdity at its core; working with designers from all corners of the globe to create beautifully unique products of the absolute highest quality. With its contagious outlook on business and the lighting industry Innermost is a natural partner to the Academy, helping to grow the Academy philosophy and develop the lighting community. Russell Cameron (pictured), sales director and cofounder of Innermost, has previously supported the LIA as a judge for its Delight in Light competition, searching for the next generation of lighting product designers. Innermost is also illuminating the Academy with its Buckle pendant as the centre piece for the new reception area. Designed by Tina Leung, Buckle is a stainless steel pendant light and also an ambient lighting sculpture. It illuminates by bouncing light off its own internal surfaces and provides wonderful background light If you would like to find out more about the Lighting Industry Academy and its ambassadors visit: www.thelia.org.uk/academy

Eaton White Paper: How to Get Machines and Systems Ready for Connection To Industry 4.0 Applications

Eaton has published a whitepaper entitled: Preparing machines and systems for connection to the Internet of Things (IoT). The paper describes the basic points of Industry 4.0 architecture, such as horizontal and vertical integration, cyber-physical systems and smart devices in simple terms. The benefits and challenges for machine builders and systems integrators are discussed, while practical recommendations are provided to materialise the advantages of the new digital age. For instance, how control systems could be realised in a modular and decentralised way, rather than the historically centralised control system approach. This enables function blocks to be re-used, which facilitates and shortens engineering cycles. The white paper also explains how components can be deployed as smart devices and enabled to autonomously control function blocks within a machine based on the environmental data available. By using protocols such as OPC-UA, machines can be easily equipped with new standardised communication features. As a result, machine builders will be able to make their systems IoT-ready, enabling end users to integrate them into their digital factories of the future. “The Industry 4.0 concept does far more than just increase productivity and efficiency, integrating Cyber Physical Systems into the Internet of Things opens up even greater possibilities,” said Chris Pack, field product manager, Eaton. “Collected data could be supplied to the machine builder to allow monitoring of the machine’s operation and introduce predictive maintenance measures, increasing the machine’s availability. The manufacturer can also see how the machines are being used and recommend optimisations or further improvements.” [caption id="attachment_11864" align="aligncenter" width="1077"] The paper describes the basic points of Industry 4.0 architecture.[/caption] Real-world examples are provided that show how easily these concepts can be integrated together. For instance, the white paper reveals how, by using Eaton’s intelligent wiring system SmartWire-DT together with the PKE electronic motor-protective circuit-breaker or the DE1 variable speed starter, it’s possible to easily retrieve process data and provide it to an external resource for mobile visualisation or deep-dive analysis. In the white paper, three IoT examples are provided, including one project that highlights how even hydraulic power units can become part of a digital solution. With its years of experience in both the electrical and hydraulic industry, Eaton can not only provide the components but also demonstrate how the combination of these products into smart devices is vital, particularly in Industry 4.0 scenarios; and has the potential to save a huge amount of energy. Eaton has set itself the objective to provide the mechanical engineering sector with solutions that can be integrated easily to make machines IoT-ready. The power management company is developing components, systems and services for this to enable all OEMs to implement the basic principles of Industry 4.0 in their products, regardless of whether they are small, compact machines or complex, large-scale systems.

Rolec EV Introduces EV Charge Point Grant Funding

As a government approved EV charge point manufacturer and installer, Rolec EV is able to offer grant funding of up to £6,000 towards EV charge point installations under the new Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). Kieron Alsop, Rolec EV’s managing director, comments: “The Workplace Charging Scheme was introduced by the government and is being managed by the Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) to encourage and support workplace locations to install and provide electric vehicle charging points to cater for the EV charging requirements of their own staff as well as visitors. “Whilst the scheme will offer up to £6,000 towards a multi-EV charge point network, in most cases businesses have opted for a single charging pedestal, offering two charging points, which can qualify for a grant of £600 plus VAT. “Depending on the installation circumstances, this grant should contribute approximately 25-30% of the full installation, and we are encouraging businesses to take advantage of the grant scheme sooner rather than later as it is a limited offer whilst funds are available.” Alsop continues: “Here at Rolec we can provide a nationwide service, offering a full installation and grant application solution to any business wishing to take up this EV charge point grant funding opportunity.”

Scolmore Shortlisted For A Trio Of Industry Awards

Scolmore has been shortlisted in all three of the categories entered for this year’s Electrical Wholesaler Awards. The company has reached the final stages for Best New Product with its innovative Click Smart Switches, which are offering installers a cost effective, quick and easy to install way of upgrading an existing wiring installation. Scolmore has also been shortlisted for Best Marketing Campaign with its innovative, feature packed App – and also for Best Overall Supplier. Marie Parry, group marketing director at Scolmore, comments: “We are absolutely thrilled to reach the final stages in all three categories and particularly pleased to be shortlisted in the Overall Supplier category. Across the organisation we are committed to consistently delivering the highest possible service to our customers, and at the same time supplying them with products that provide high quality, cost efficient and time saving solutions to meet the challenges of a fast changing industry.” Launched in 2014, the Electrical Wholesaler Awards aim to recognise the achievements and services of electrical wholesalers and manufacturers. The awards ceremony is due to take place at Madame Tussauds on Thursday 18th May 2017.