The column where you get to put your lighting questions to the head of the Ovia lighting business, Mike Collins, and his team of technical experts. Q. WHY ARE MODERN VAPOUR-PROOF FITTINGS NOT DESIGNED TO FIT ONTO CONDUIT BOXES? The reason that the vapour-proof fittings are best suited to sit on jack chain with a ...

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The aim of this article from the experts at NICEIC is to explain the operating characteristics of the protective multiple earthing (PME) earthing facility, a type of TN-C-S system, which is commonly provided for both new and existing electrical installations. In a PME arrangement the supply neutral conductor functions as both protective and neutral conductors ...

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Have you dealt with problems with USB socket-outlets that have been faulty following insulation resistance testing? Jake Green, Head of Technical Engagement with Scolmore Group, aims to shed some light on the issue. With USB socket-outlets, the charging unit is built into the back of the socket and this is sometimes fixed to the ‘on’ ...

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Steve Dunning, Managing Director of Martindale Electric, explains the importance of safe isolation and why using the right equipment is an absolute must. Safe isolation procedures are necessary to ensure that workers on-site are not exposed to danger when working on or near live electrical systems. There have been incidents where failure to use safe ...

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In this follow up to last month’s article, Viktors Nikolajevs, CTEK’s Skillbase Manager in the UK, answers more of the key questions that installers are commonly raising around EV charge point installations. Installers at our UK training sessions will ask a lot of questions when they’re learning how to best install EV charge points. But, ...

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This article from the experts at NICEIC aims to provide guidance for contractors when required to install a consumer unit and/or similar switchgear manufactured from a noncombustible material meeting the requirements of regulation 421.1.201, in a domestic installation forming part of a TT system earthing arrangement. Where an installation forms part of a TT system ...

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Hager’s Technical Training Manager, Paul Chaffers, discusses the importance of providing installations with surge protective devices (SPDs) and looks at requirements and considerations of BS 7671:2018+A2:2022. In our everyday life, we’re surrounded by electrical equipment which may contain sensitive electronic components. Such products are vulnerable to transient overvoltages and can have their lifespan significantly reduced ...

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Keith Willcock, Product Manager for Siemens Alpha Circuit Protection Products, reviews the implications for designers and installers of electrical installations from the latest requirements for additional protection for socket outlets in BS 7671, including Amendment 2. Regulation 411.3.3 Within Chapter 41 (protection against electric shock) Regulation 411.3.3 now tells us: ‘.. in AC systems additional ...

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Chris Hudson, MD of Hudson Lighting, explains more about the importance of IP68 ratings for recessed outdoor lights and gives a general overview of IP ratings and what they mean. Ingress Protection (IP) ratings are crucial for understanding the environmental resilience of electrical fixtures, especially outdoor lighting. An IP rating consists of two digits, indicating ...

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Depending on the particular characteristics of the ‘electronic’ loads and controls connected to an electrical installation, an RCD could be exposed to a range of residual current waveforms and frequencies. Unless RCDs are selected that are compatible with the loads and other devices connected, the protection intended may be compromised, as the experts at NICEIC ...

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