The request follows complaints by EU manufacturers regarding the cheap supply from outside the EU of threaded tube fittings of malleable cast iron used in the gas, water and oil industries. The EU introduced a provisional rate of ADD in November 2012 on the importation into the EU of all threaded tube fittings of malleable cast iron, regardless of their application.

The EU has 6 months from the point of the provisional ADD being applied to assess the impact of the provisional measures and any objections that are raised before they implement a definitive ADD ruling which typically applies for five years.

Following the announcement in November 2012, Deta actively lobbied the EU stating that threaded tube fittings of malleable cast iron used in electrical installations are entirely different to those used for gas, water and oil installations, and requested that threaded tube fittings of malleable cast iron used in electrical installations be removed from the ADD policy.

The Independent Buyers Association is a nationwide group of independent electrical wholesalers established in 1993. Our membership continues to grow primarily as a result of our long term effective relationships with our suppliers.

Due to impending retirement, we can now offer this excellent opportunity to an industry professional to help us further develop the group to meet the aspirations of our members.

The role will focus on effectively working with both existing and new suppliers to negotiate competitive deals for the benefit of group members. The retention and growth of our membership base is critical to our business plan. Reporting into the IBA Executive, with a small support team, you will also have a leading responsibility for a range of promotional and marketing activities including tradeshows, presentations, conferences and exhibitions, website, and catalogue.

You should ideally come from a wholesaling or manufacturing background, and be able to demonstrate a successful track record in negotiating “win win” deals. Commercially astute, financially capable, with good personal and presentation skills, you should also relish the challenge of marketing our service offering to achieve results.

This is a key appointment which carries an excellent rewards package and the chance to make a real impact in this industry sector. Whilst we currently have an office base in Oxfordshire, home location is much less important than the desire and ability to lead us to the next stage of our development.

Interested? Please submit your CV in the strictest confidence to recruitment@theiba.net including details of your current remuneration package.

We are looking for an experienced Manager

Must have:

• Good leadership skills
• Excellent people skills
• Good customer service skills
• Self motivated and driven

Starting salary:

£30k + bonus + *car

Please send CV’s to:

Wimbledon Lighting & Electrical
c/o John Keenan
148 – 154 Merton High Street, Wimbledon, London SW19 1AZ

Or call 07740 869949 or email jobs@wimbledonlighting.co.uk

* conditions apply

In a bid to save energy, transport chiefs from SYPTE investigated the possibility of reducing energy costs associated with the lighting of over 2,000 bus shelters. This project was particularly important since bus shelter lighting bills account for a third of the Executive’s total electricity costs.

SYPTE aims to reduce its carbon footprint by 40% over the next three years and expects that the installation of the bespoke T8 super bright Goodlight™ LED tubes will see energy consumption reduce by an estimated 61%. As a result, the Executive is confident of achieving annual savings of around £150,000.

Commenting on the installation of the new Goodlight™ retrofit tube lights, David Brown, director general of SYPTE, says, “Reducing carbon is a target for many organisations over the next few years and we are no different. The new LED lights may individually make a small difference, but installed at thousands of bus stops throughout South Yorkshire they add up to considerable saving.”

Derbyshire County Council has also begun its upgrade of nearly 400 bus shelters by replacing existing fluorescent tubes. The relamping scheme, which is being financed through the Council’s carbon reduction initiatives fund, is estimated to save almost £120,000 over the next five years.

Goodlight™ LED tube lights are perfect replacements for standard T8, T10 and T12 fluorescent tube lamps. They easily retrofit into existing lamp fittings and are available in standard lengths from 2ft to 8ft. The tubes operate independently of external control gear to provide impressive cost, carbon and maintenance savings of up to 80% – the longer the tube, the bigger the saving. Applications for the super bright Goodlight™ tube lights are vast and include offices, car parks, data centres, laboratories, schools, factories, warehouses, cold stores and hospitals – in fact, anywhere that a fluorescent tube lamp is currently being used.

The technologically advanced T8 Goodlight™ LED tube light has been designed to offer an impressive 50,000 hour rated lifespan and guaranteed not to flicker.  Featuring a soft-start function that provides a gentle in-rush of current when switched on, the tube lights are available in a choice of operating colours. For SYPTE, the Goodlight™ tubes are ensuring brighter, safer bus shelters and thereby helping passengers to feel more confident at night.

“These latest bus shelter contracts with South Yorkshire and Derbyshire are part of a continuing trend,” says Saima Shafi, co-founder of LED Eco Lights. “An increasing number of local authorities and public transport bodies across the UK are realising the potential for huge financial savings by switching to our Goodlight™ retrofit LED lighting. Add to this the obvious benefits to passengers and it’s clear that the outcome is a definite win-win situation.”

GE Lighting has launched a new Indoor Solutions catalogue presenting the company’s key

As a trusted brand with a long lighting heritage, GE Lighting offers specifiers high quality, multiple lighting solutions that are fit-for purpose, versatile and effective. With extensive testing procedures in place, specifiers can also be assured that lighting solutions from GE Lighting offer reliable and long-term performance.

The new Indoor Solutions catalogue from GE Lighting is divided into six clear sections, including an introduction to each technology, an overview of the latest lighting innovation and its associated benefits as well as detailed product specifications. The catalogue is designed to make selecting an appropriate solution that is fit for purpose and for a variety of indoor applications – as easy as possible.

A key innovation featured within the catalogue is the range of GE Lumination LED Luminaires, which have marked the beginning of a new era in office lighting. A product within GE’s ecomagination portfolio, the minimalist luminaires are inherently efficient and use less energy, meaning fewer of them are required to light a space. In addition, the Lumination LED Luminaires create an aesthetically pleasing diffused light with minimal glare.

Also included within the catalogue are GE Infusion modules, which offer a twist/ fit design meaning upgrading does not result in having to invest in new luminaires. The market-leading range provides the flexibility to meet the needs of diverse applications and is compliant with Zhaga Book 5 for socketable LED modules using separate electronic control gear.

CMH is also firmly established as a market leading lighting technology for a wide range of applications. As such, the Indoor Solutions catalogue also presents GE’s CMH Downlights, which include adjustable gimbals, adjustable scoops and a selection of fixed downlights. All CMH Downlights provide exceptional colour rendition and lumen maintenance throughout the life of the lamp.

To find out more about GE Lighting’s Indoor Solutions, contact GE Lighting customer service team on Tel: 0808 156 0221 or download an electronic copy at: www.gelighting.com/eu

An innovative organic coating applied to Cablofil’s electro-zinc plated steel wire cable tray system, EZ+ offers the durability and anti-corrosion benefits of hot-dip galvanised products while providing a more cost-effective solution. It also provides a more environmentally-friendly choice, with an environmental impact 60% lower than that of hot-dip galvanised products when measured against 11 production indicators, including raw material, energy and water consumption.

Designed for use in external installations in urban environments (IEC 61537 Class 8), Cablofil EZ+ steel wire cable tray is ideal for use in civil engineering projects such as tunnels; transport infrastructure such as airports, and energy facilities, including power plants and solar installations. Offering guaranteed performance levels up to 120⁰C, it can be used in any environment that is not exposed to chemical or humid conditions and offers UV resistance. Indeed, EZ+ has been subjected to two-year ageing process tests under UV conditions, which have confirmed its performance levels according to IEC 61537 Class 8 criteria.  Moreover, in salt spray tests, it exceeded the performance of hot-dip galvanised products according to ISO 2081, with no red rust after more than 850 hours’ exposure to salt spray.

The benefits of EZ+ steel wire cable tray are both practical and aesthetic, although primarily, EZ+ is a functional finish. The organic coating used to create the EZ+ finish provides a smooth surface with a consistent black or colourless coating, as opposed to the rough and uneven finish associated with hot dip galvanised steel wire tray.  This smooth surface, coupled with the rounded wires and T-welded safety edge designed in to all Cablofil steel wire cable tray lengths ensures that the risk of snagging cables or injury during installation is minimised.

Comments marketing manager of Legrand’s cable management business, Matt Crunden: “With EZ+ we have, at last, provided the marketplace with an alternative to hot-dip galvanised steel wire cable tray, which boasts all the same performance benefits without the environmental impact or cost. Legrand continues to innovate in order to offer specifiers genuine choice for all types of installations and EZ+ furthers this goal, ensuring that our customers can always find the perfect solution for their needs within Legrand’s extensive cable management range.”

From left to right: Doug Garcias, Engineering Directory, Prysmian Group, Maria Hutchings, Conservative Party Candidate, Paul Atkinson, CEO Prysmian Group UK and David Cameron, Prime Minister

Prime Minister David Cameron visited the Prysmian factory in Eastleigh this week, keen to demonstrate the Government’s support for private sector manufacturing in the UK and receptive to calls for regulating the import of substandard cable.

While at the plant Mr Cameron opened the new High Voltage testing laboratory: a £2m facility that typically tests extra high voltage power transmission cable at one million volts.  The laboratory will be a central resource for Prysmian’s worldwide manufacturing operation but represents only a fraction of the £15m the company is investing in its UK plants this year.

Following the opening ceremony Mr Cameron participated in a question and answer session with over 300 Prysmian staff.    Questions were on a range of subjects, but the issue of regulating the import of cheap substandard cable was clearly close to the heart of the audience.

They will have been cheered by the response.  “I see your problem with substandard cabling that does not do the job.   I will investigate at a European level to see what can be done.”

Throughout the half hour session, the Prime Minister repeatedly expressed his support for UK manufacturing: “We need to make more things, sell more things.  Companies like this, investing and growing, are key to our success.”

Paul Atkinson, CEO of Prysmian in the UK was enthusiastic about the visit.  “We are delighted to welcome such high level Government interest and support in our manufacturing technology and also welcome Mr Cameron’s understanding of a key issue that threatens our industry.”

“Substandard cable affects us all: from installers and wholesalers through to local authorities – all the people we trust to provide good electrical safety at work and home, for our families and friends.”

Flexicon is offering this service to registered users on their website, so designers can download the CAD models for all of its metallic and non-metallic conduit, fittings and accessories ready to integrate into their design. All of the supporting information such as part numbers and technical data will also be incorporated.

Colin Legg, Marketing Manager for Flexicon says: “We have made our website as user friendly as possible. Conduit and fittings are typically components within a system and using our CAD product catalogue you can now download the most suitable system directly into your design, in whichever design software you work with. There is now no need to create your own drawing and using this system helps you make an informed choice and reduces the need to see a physical sample.”

The online electronic catalogue offers Flexicon’s 3,500 products in over 85 different CAD file formats, including STEP and Catia. www.flexicon.uk.com

Several production lines at Dimplex’s Northern Ireland manufacturing facility have now been switched exclusively to Quantum production, to keep up with the volume of orders being placed.

Great advances in insulation technology and controllability mean that the Quantum space heating system is up to 25% cheaper to run and uses up to 20% less energy than other comparable electric heaters.

From the introduction of the Quantum concept last year, these and other benefits of the range have been widely recognised. In particular, Quantum’s combination of controllability, low running costs, and future-fit smart grid compatibility has proved popular with social housing providers in tackling tenant fuel poverty and long term carbon reduction targets.

Chris Stammers, Dimplex’s Marketing Director for Trade and Independents says: “We knew Quantum met a real need in the market and worked closely with energy supplier SSE to ensure it ticked the boxes for users, specifiers and utilities alike.”

www.quantumheating.co.uk

Available from the App store, the Redring and Xpelair app both offer instant access to a wealth of information. This includes product brochures, in-depth product details and technical specifications. At the touch of a button, users can have all the information they require to make a purchasing or specification decision or research potential solutions for specific projects.

In addition to product information, users will be able to find up to date guidelines on installing ventilation under the Building Regulations.

Steve Mongan, Head of Marketing at Redring Xpelair Group said: “In today’s fast paced world, people like to have the option of fast, instant access to information they want and need. That’s why we decided to invest in two new apps for the business – ensuring that our customers can get what they need quickly and easily.”

Both apps can be found by searching the App store. The links are also available on the Redring Xpelair website.

www.redringxpelair.com

Suitable for domestic and light commercial settings, the new Powerstream Eco is an instantaneous water heater that delivers hot water on demand at point of use – eliminating the need for stored hot water. The Powerstream Eco embraces the compact design of existing Powerstream products, but users can now benefit from external power selection and an Eco function.

When operating the Powerstream on the Eco setting, the kW power used to run the unit is reduced, which in turn reduces electrical wastage and running costs.

The easy-to-use external front dial is incorporated into the unit’s impact-resistant front cover, and in addition to the Eco setting, users can also choose from High, Low and Cold power settings.

The new Powerstream Eco is available in two kW variants – 9.5 and 10.8. With a height of just 160mm, width of 307mm and depth of 84mm, the Powerstream Eco offers a discreet solution that doesn’t require a large area for installation.

www.redring.co.uk

The roadshow will showcase the companies growing range of electrical distribution solutions, focussing on peripheral application requirements, such as metering and surge protection. These areas of electrical distribution often create the greatest challenges for electrical installers and specifiers alike, in terms of compliance with the myriad of UK regulations and standards that are applicable.

Contractors and specifiers will be able to view close up the innovative QuikWire meters for MCCB Panelboards, which dramatically reduces installation time and errors due to the plug and play install, whilst the unique Tri-Load TPN MCB Distribution board, delivers the only standard distribution board that has a flexible three sectioned metered design for power, lighting and mechanical services loads.

The Havells Product Roadshow Experience will allow contractors all over UK a close-up view of the latest innovations from Havells.  If you would like to be visited by this industry-first roadshow or know when the roadshow will be in your area, please contact your local sales engineer.

www.Havells.co.uk

There are now SMD LED dimmable versions of the 60W and 40W replacement lamps and the company promises there are more to come. The new 60W replacement dimmable option offers 806 lumens with a 12W lamp and the 40W replacement dimmable lamp offers 470 lumens with a 7.5 lamp.  Scolmore has also added a 4.5W dimmable version of the existing 4W SMD LED – 35W replacement – and has plans to further develop the range to include candle and mini globe lamps.

Marie Parry, Marketing Manager says:  “Having set out to be the first to market with SMD LED lamps in 2012, we knew that the next stage would be to develop dimmable options and we have been working hard on the technology to be able to do this.  We are now able to offer dimmable replacements for 60W, 40W and 35W lamps.”

www.scolmore.com

This month BG Electrical is offering two lucky readers the chance to win an iPod Touch. Simply read the text below and the answer the three questions correctly.

New product

BG Electrical is introducing a range of LED lighting to complement their existing product lines and enhance the one stop shop philosophy. Key members of the lighting product management team have over 40 years technical experience and all have worked within the leading UK lighting trade association. BG has also joined Zhaga, the consortium of leading LED lighting companies, thus ensuring they remain at the forefront of technical advancements.

Initial product lines include LED alternatives to many traditional lighting options, all offering key features and benefits. In addition to true three year guarantees on products, BG offers a one year on-site warranty, giving total product confidence.

LuxPANEL’s are a range of six, recessed ceiling LED luminaires. The most common is the 595mm x 595mm panel in 40W with 2800 lumens output, making it an ideal replacement for most fluorescent luminaires. LuxPANEL features the latest LED chips from leading manufacturers such as Samsung and are supplied with a remote ‘plug and play’ style driver that can be supplied in standard or dimmable options.

Fire Rated LED Downlights are also new to the line-up for use in dwellings, to comply with Building Regulations. The BG range uses the latest Chip On Board (COB) LED chip technology in conjunction with a reflector lens that combine to give the appearance of traditional Halogen lamps.

The range of commercial LED Downlights are intended to replace compact fluorescent downlights that are used in many commercial applications and consists of five models that offer running cost savings of 50% against many fluorescent installations. BG has also designed and manufactured an LED Bulkhead replacement of only 15watts. It features an option of a microwave presence detector that will switch the LED output to 10% in ‘corridor function’ standby mode making it ideal for circulation and washroom areas.

Last but not least are the Guardian LED Floodlights which offer ideal security lighting and the commercial LED Floodlights which offer an alternative to HID floodlights up to 400watts.

www.bgelectrical.co.uk

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning this fantastic prize, simply send an email with the title BG Competition to trushtonthorpe@datateam.co.uk and include your name, address, telephone number and the correct answer to the following questions:

• Who manufactures the LED lighting range?

• What warranty is offered on the range?

• Fire rated downlights comply with which regulations?

The closing date for entries is 01 May 2013 The first two correct entries drawn out of the bag after this date will win an iPod Touch. Good luck!

Almost everyone has heard of home automation, but what exactly is it? In reality, home automation systems can range from a basic time switch all the way up to a full building control system. At the heart of any system, however, is a controller that automates the operation of electrical equipment – such as the lighting and heating installations – in the home. Many home automation systems can do much more, including controlling individual appliances, working with non-electric heating systems and even providing home security functions.

The home automation controller is invariably intelligent and it receives inputs from many sources, such as light switches, remote controllers like those used with televisions, and sensors that provide information about things like ambient temperatures and light levels. Working with these inputs and its user-defined programming, the controller makes decisions about which lights to turn on and when, for example, and how to control the heating system to maximise comfort levels without using energy unnecessarily.

Key benefits

The key benefits have already been mentioned; comfort, convenience and energy savings. Properly set up, a home automation system will continually optimise comfort levels, and it’s certainly very convenient to, for example, click a single button on a remote control as you leave your house and know that all unnecessary lights have been turned off and the heating has been turned down.

The energy savings are the icing on the cake because by ensuring that lighting, heating and appliances are used only when they’re needed, good home automation systems significantly reduce not only energy bills but also the carbon footprint of the home.

Even though the benefits are attractive, home automation is only just starting to be widely adopted. Largely this is because of the impression that home automation systems are expensive, difficult to install and complicated to use. If the right system is chosen, however, none of these concerns are valid. Systems can be hard-wired or wireless, but the benefits of a wireless system are soon evident particularly for retrofitting. So what should you look for in a home automation system?

Reduce costs

A wireless system will greatly simplify installation and therefore reduces costs. It also means switches and sensors can be installed wherever they’re needed, without having to worry about how easy it is going to be to run cables to them. Not all wireless systems are equal, however, and it’s worth looking for one that operates in the secure 868 MHz ISM band rather than the over-used 433 MHz band, as this will help to ensure freedom from interference and reliable operation.

It is also worth choosing a system with bi-directional communication, as this allows the actuators to tell input devices that their signals have been received. If the input device doesn’t get this confirmation, it can repeat the message or indeed re-route the message until confirmation is received, which greatly improves performance and reliability.

Contractors will naturally be concerned about ease of installation and configuration. We’ve already seen that RF switches and sensors can be installed almost anywhere without the need for wiring, and a recent development is the introduction of RF switches that not only match the appearance of conventional wiring accessories but will sit alongside them in common wall plates. This is particularly useful in systems that have both wireless and conventionally wired switches.

So that the home automation controls can operate lights and other loads wirelessly, it is necessary to fit them with actuator modules to provide switching, dimming and control functions. These are compact units which are easy to accommodate and which are installed at the appropriate actuation points in the installation.

The final concern is setting up and, once again, with the latest systems like Eaton’s xComfort, this is straightforward. In basic mode, it involves no more than pressing buttons on senders and actuators to pair them, while for more advanced installations, intuitive graphical software that runs on a PC is provided, and this gives full access to all of the many features the system has to offer.

Which homeowner doesn’t want convenience, comfort and economy? As we’ve seen these are the benefits offered by home automation systems and, as these systems are now attractively priced, easy to install and easy to use, their popularity is sure to grow.

www.eaton.com

The Green Deal looks set to be the most ambitious refurbishment programme in the UK ever, but energy efficiency improvements must not be at the expense of indoor air quality. Lee Nurse, Marketing Director at Vent-Axia explains how energy efficient ventilation is an important accompaniment to the initiative and offers a potential opportunity for contractors and electrical wholesalers.

The Government is driving measures to improve the conditions and efficiency in homes in order to meet the UK’s 2050 carbon targets. Its latest initiative is the Green Deal which was launched in October. This ambitious refurbishment programme aims to bring our ageing buildings up to date while reducing carbon emissions cost effectively by revolutionising the energy efficiency of households. With the UK containing the oldest housing stock in the developed world, the Green Deal offers homeowners an excellent opportunity to insulate their homes as part of an overall energy efficiency package.

Under the Green Deal, energy bill payers are able to obtain energy efficiency improvements, such as loft insulation, solid wall insulation and new heating systems, without having to pay immediately. Instead business will provide the capital, and obtain their money back over time via the customer’s energy bill. Central to this strategy is the requirement that the estimated savings on the bill will always equal or exceed the cost of the work – this is called the ‘Golden Rule’.

Address the issues

With domestic applications the energy efficiency measures that will be offered as a Green Deal package are based on heat loss and don’t incorporate an air pressure test to establish the energy efficiency of ventilation. This means that despite continuous single room heat recovery offering energy efficient ventilation that recovers heat, its benefit is difficult to measure. As a result it cannot meet the Green Deal’s ‘Golden Rule’. However, if you insulate a home without improving ventilation it can result in condensation and mould.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors states that one in five UK homes are affected by condensation and mould growth. Evidence has shown that if care is not taken to ensure adequate levels of ventilation, in line with Part F of the Building Regulations, then high levels of humidity can lead to growth in dust mite populations, potentially resulting in health and comfort issues. Left unchecked, high levels of condensation may also cause mould and unsightly damage to the fabric of a property.

Providers, assessors and installers must apply to be on the Green Deal register, giving the seal of approval to businesses that successfully go through the authorisation process. All authorised Green Deal businesses will be required to display the new Green Deal Quality Mark to demonstrate they comply with the required standards.

This is an excellent opportunity for contractors to address the issues that the Green Deal focuses on and to install ventilation to accompany Green Deal refurbishment projects. In turn, for electrical wholesalers there is a good prospect to supply contractors with the ideal ventilation solutions for these projects. It is important to ensure that a holistic building specification approach is taken, creating an ideal balance between heating, insulation and ventilation.

Green package

The first step to improving a home’s energy efficiency is to make it as air tight as possible, with insulation and double glazing being key elements of an overall energy efficiency package. It is therefore essential that ventilation is not forgotten in this equation to maintain healthy indoor air quality. Green Deal assessors must assess each home and determine what the best solution is to ensure adequate ventilation.

Improving ventilation offers a simple solution to condensation with modern continuous ventilation solutions as the ideal answer. Continuous Decentralised Mechanical Extract Ventilation (dMEV) systems, such as Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Centra, are an effective and affordable solution with low running costs of typically less than £2 a year. Designed to work with the natural air infiltration, continuous ventilation systems control the air path through the home. As a result, they prevent the migration of damaging humidity and pollutants, providing effective near silent energy efficient ventilation, which produces good comfort levels for occupiers and are ideal for retrofitting.

The latest continuous fans also now offer heat recovery. For instance, there are now single room heat recovery units available, such as Vent-Axia’s Lo-Carbon Tempra, which can be simply retrofitted through a 100mm diameter hole in the wall allowing standard 100mm bathroom, kitchen, toilet or utility room extract fans to be easily replaced.

This type of unit is capable of recovering any heat from extracted air and returning it back into the dwelling to provide up to 80% heat recovery. This performance, taken together with an integral Lo-Carbon DC motor with unique twin impeller design means the units consume as little as two Watts of energy and operate almost silently on trickle setting at only 20dB(A), bringing significant energy savings to the home and helping to reduce a property’s carbon footprint. Such low energy consumption means this type of unit exceeds the energy saving requirements in the Building Regulations Part L, Conservation of Fuel and Power, making it an ideal complement to a Green Deal energy efficiency package.

Refurbish tight, ventilate right

So despite energy efficient ventilation not meeting the Green Deal’s ‘Golden Rule’ it is an essential accompaniment to Green Deal refurbishment packages. With the increase in double glazing and insulation in refurbishment projects over the last few years we have already witnessed an increase in the problems associated with poor indoor air quality and condensation. These problems can be easily overcome if the correct ventilation solution is installed.

As a whole the Green Deal offers great opportunities for households to update and improve the efficiency of their homes while reducing UK carbon emissions. Meanwhile, for Green Deal contractors there is the opportunity of a raft of refurbishment work. So, to fully benefit from all the opportunities the Green Deal may offer, contractors should sign up now to the Green Deal register.

www.vent-axia.com

Ian Hamilton, Managing Director for Hamilton Litestat, discusses the shift towards the use of LED lamps, the impact this is having on lighting control systems and the opportunities this presents for the wholesaler.

One of the major trends in lighting that shows no sign of slowing down is the increasing use of LED lamps in commercial and residential interiors. The lamps may be more expensive at the outset but they are very durable and long lasting, and have huge energy saving benefits, which can help recoup the cost of the lamp over time.

These benefits are capturing the attention of both the public and the specifier and according to IMS research, energy efficient LEDs will overtake CFLs and halogen lamps as the bestselling lighting product by 2018, with unit sales of lamps expected to grow to occupy 30% of the market. This trend has a major impact on dimming and lighting control products, as installers are increasingly looking for systems that are compatible with LEDs.

Compatible systems

The good news is that whereas traditionally LED lamps have had compatibility issues with dimming, there are newer control systems on the market for wholesalers to promote that are compatible, making it easier for electrical contractors to up-sell the extra energy saving benefits of a control system and LED lamps to their clients.

If you dim an LED lamp by 50% you save virtually the same percentage in terms of energy usage, which, notwithstanding the dimming, is already lower than a CFL or halogen lamp. When you add the control factor to the equation the energy and cost savings are even more impressive, so for those end users looking at the long term picture, this combination provides the ideal lighting solution.

Hamilton’s redesigned Mercury Lighting Control System has been successfully tested with many of the available dimmable LED lamp brands – in fact we made this compatibility a major priority in our redesign. Another priority was to make the system even simpler for wholesalers to sell to their customers, which is why we’ve launched the DK1 package, designed to be a self-contained Mercury ‘starter pack’ for anyone looking to dip their toe into the lighting controls water, especially in smaller properties.

The DK1 contains one four-channel pack (for the control of four circuits), a wall-mounted button controller and a hand-held remote control. It also includes a non-dimmable fifth channel, which is activated along with the first channel and stays on for approximately four minutes, making it ideal for a bathroom extractor fan or similar function. The encased dimmer hub is easily accessible and simple to wire in, and the on-board dip switch makes it easy to add more channels and extra functionality at a later date if required.

The idea that end users can trial a lighting control product before potentially committing to a bigger, more comprehensive system is appealing for those cautious about spending money in difficult economic times. Having all of the necessary elements in one kit also makes the stocking and selling of control systems very straightforward for the wholesaler.

Integration

If the end client is ready to invest in other technologies it’s important that the lighting controls integrate seamlessly with other elements such as audio controls and security features so that the electrical contractor can build a comprehensive system to suit the needs of their client.

The Mercury system, for example, can be integrated with the Mercury Multi-room Audio System and there are also added value options available, such as holiday mode, which recreates an everyday lighting sequence in an empty property, and window blind controls.

The trend for single control points for multiple functions, whether via a wireless smart phone or tablet device, remote control or wall-mounted plate, is also something that contractors will be looking for. So if wholesalers can provide a modular range of solutions from the basic lighting controls kit to more specialised systems – all of which may be installed at different times but controlled from the same point – they are helping the contractor to give complete flexibility to their client, whilst opening the door for future sales as the systems are added to.

In a similar vein, there are opportunities for the wholesaler to market other related accessories when selling control systems. For example switch plates and sockets that match the wall-mounted lighting control panels, ceiling dimmers, LED drivers and even RGB controllers for LED colour washing effects are all potential add-on sales to a lighting control system.

Technical information

As a link between contractor and manufacturer it’s important that wholesalers have the relevant technical information on any control systems to hand when talking to their customers. Therefore, manufacturers need to make this available in a clear format, whether in the form of datasheets, website downloads, or catalogue pages.

Most contemporary systems have been designed to be very simple to install with the correct qualifications and equipment, however well written technical information from the manufacturer will help to reinforce the ease of installation to the contractor and may ultimately help sell the system. Hamilton can offer demonstration kits and in-house training sessions for selected wholesaler partners, as well as written data sheets.

In terms of on-going maintenance, many systems are designed to be operated and maintained by the end user. For example, the redesigned Mercury system now offers outgoing circuit protection in the way of MCBs, rather than having to rely on fuses. If an MCB trips due to lamp failure it can be reset without opening the main enclosure, with no fuses to replace and no need to call an engineer. This is an important consideration for users who may have reservations regarding the maintenance of the system, and is another selling point that will ultimately make the end user more willing to invest in a control system.

Opportunities

Even though LEDs still represent a small portion of the market the projections indicate that they’ll continue to command a growing market share. For wholesalers this provides a fantastic opportunity to promote LED compatible control systems and their many related electrical accessories to installers looking to meet the functional and energy saving needs of their customers.

www.hamilton-litestat.com

Geoff Egginton, Managing Director of Advance Appliances Ltd, looks at initiatives being introduced by leading manufacturers that enable householders to be proactive in helping achieve the UK energy efficiency and carbon reduction obligation.

Global concerns about climate change are having an increasing impact on the attitudes and behaviour of energy users. As far as the UK and EU are concerned, reducing harmful emissions and using energy more efficiently are at the heart of a variety of measures introduced during the last 20 years.

Initially focused almost exclusively on carbon reduction, the emphasis over time has shifted to affordable change, as the high cost of adapting to more environmentally friendly ways of producing and using energy has become apparent. Legislators have understood that the co-operation of energy users is best achieved by persuasion and encouragement, with individual choice playing a major part. It is only in the case of energy generation for public utilities and energy use by major non-domestic undertakings that specific obligations are being imposed.

The one certainty underlying all the measures being introduced is that electricity will be the dominant energy force in the low carbon economy of the future. This is because there must be an essential step change away from the use of fossil fuels. Consequently, renewable technologies are increasingly integrating with or completely replacing traditional electricity generation methods. For example, green electricity can be generated by wind and hydro schemes at grid level, with individual energy users able to draw on solar and wind turbine solutions.

It takes time

This certainty has not encouraged complacency on the part of manufacturers of equipment powered by electricity, although it would be understandable if this was the case. There is no doubt that long term energy efficiency objectives have been clearly set, with the UK having an obligation to reduce 1990 carbon emission levels by 80% by the year 2050.

What is lacking is an equally clear timeline of how this is to be done. At a macro level, as far as the production of public utilities energy is concerned, the relative merits of the application of renewables of all sources, nuclear energy and carbon capture and storage is the subject of on-going debate, with both differing opinions and the present economic climate inhibiting decision making.

At the micro level, where the selection of a low carbon technology is a choice for individual energy users, decision making is no easier, as the central funding for initiatives designed to encourage take up is at present limited. Against this background, manufacturers would be excused for adopting a wait and see strategy.

Applying the rules

But forward looking manufacturers have not been misled by these uncertainties. Whatever the means by which electricity supply is sourced, whether at grid level or at the microgeneration level, the efficiency standards that energy using equipment must meet are clear.

The Building Regulations, which are dynamic and the outcome of industry-wide consultation, impose compliance standards on installers, who rely on the availability of suitable equipment. Leading manufacturers ensure that they are not disappointed.

Take for example the requirements relating to domestic electric boilers serving wet central heating systems in new and existing dwellings. Minimum provisions include, amongst others, fully pumped system circulation and temperature control of boiler and space heating. If the boiler manufacturer advises the installation of a bypass, an automatic bypass valve should be used. These minimum provisions are mandatory in the case of a new system as well as, with certain exceptions, in the case of a replacement system.

These boiler efficiency benchmarks ensure compliance with energy performance standards and are met by the designs of market leading manufacturers. But these will not be the only concerns as ease of installation will be no less important.

Just arrived

A domestic electric boiler recently introduced to the market, designed specifically for central heating systems, is an example of an easy to fit appliance that measures up to the regulatory standards. The boiler is available in 6kW, 9kW and 12kW output versions, suitable for standard central heating systems with an 80 degree flow, or an underfloor circuit with a 60 degree flow.

Units can be fitted to an SP 240 VAC 50 hz domestic electricity supply. The current ratings of the three output options are 32 amps, 45 amps and 50 amps. Units need no fluing, enabling unrestricted fitting and can be installed as a sealed or open vented system. A sealed system kit is available, with an 8 litre expansion vessel, that can be sited anywhere in the system and each unit is fitted with a pump with an over-run facility and an automatic by pass.

Soft switched on start up, each boiler is fully modulating, with a single LED that highlights running and fault modes. A flow switch prevents the boiler running in dry conditions and there are two levels of overheat protection. External programmer control and room thermostat arrangement with voltage free switching is enabled by a connector on the boiler casing.

Good to go

Ease of installation credentials, with just two electric connections and two pipes to plumb, are complimented by customer satisfaction features. Units are of modern design, slimline and quiet, providing maximum fuel efficiency by converting all of the power to heat. The fully modulating design reduces the domestic electricity demand and units require no maintenance in ordinary operating conditions. Each boiler is guaranteed for two years against faulty manufacture, subject to terms and conditions, with a technical help desk facility available during office hours.

Together, these attributes highlight this dedicated domestic heating boiler as a high quality option for both new and replacement applications. The validity of this choice is not affected by any subsequent change in the public utility or individual household electricity generation source.

This solution is representative of the initiatives being introduced by leading manufacturers that enable householders to be proactive in helping achieve the UK energy efficiency and carbon reduction obligation. Installers can recommend this boiler, confident that it will deliver customer satisfaction, and knowing that easy fitting will help minimise installation costs.

www.advanceappliances.co.uk

It has been a while since we last brought you an update from the Electrical Distributor’s Association (EDA) and in that time a lot has changed. Here Tracey Rushton-Thorpe finds out what they have been up to.

It would be fair to say that the last few years have been fairly turbulent but the wholesaling industry has weathered the storm well, coming up with a number of new ideas and initiatives to see them through the bad times.

But perhaps one of the best ways in which the industry has addressed the issues we have faced is by working together – and this is where membership of the EDA has proved, for many, to be a deciding factor in the success of their business because it has allowed many wholesalers to share ideas with other companies in the same position. This year has already seen many successes for the EDA, not least in that they have launched a fresh new look to bring the Association bang up to date. But it isn’t just about the new look because the work which they carry out on behalf of the wholesaling industry goes deep below the surface.

Communicate and educate

The main objective of the EDA is very simple; to create and promote an environment in which members can enhance their business and develop the market through discussion, communication and education and to promote the interests of the electrical wholesale distribution industry. But the EDA also works hard to collect and disseminate knowledge and information about market trends and activities and encourage market development.

Put simply, the EDA is working on behalf of the wholesaling industry to promote their best interests and it is testament to their success that membership continues to grow. But perhaps one of the deciding factors for many wholesalers who take the decision to join the EDA is the numerous benefits which they can enjoy.

Ray Evans, Director of the EDA says: “Membership of the EDA is all about sharing knowledge and experience to improve the industry for everyone and our main aim is to facilitate this through a variety of member benefits. For example we hold a number of functions throughout the year which allow our members to get together in both a formal and informal manner to discuss topics of interest to the industry.

“We also have an affiliated membership scheme for manufacturers, through which we are able to build better relationships between the wholesale distributors and the manufacturers who supply them. When it was introduced in 1999 it was designed to reinforce the close relationships which already exist between the Association and the suppliers of our members and I am happy to say that it has continued to go from strength to strength.”

Professional development

Perhaps one of the key benefits for members of the EDA is the access to Vocational and Product Knowledge training through the Learning and Development Portfolio which provides members with tools for the progression of their staff. The Learning and Development Portfolio is under constant development by a separate working group whose key focus is to ensure that the programmes provide relevant and up to date training for the industry.

Ray says: “There is unanimous agreement amongst our members that learning and development is a key focus for them in ensuring that their staff are properly trained to carry out their respective roles. The Learning and Development Portfolio provides our members with easy access to two key programmes of vocational training and industry specific qualifications which enables them to remain competitive in what is undoubtedly a very tough industry.”

Industry highlight

One of the highlights of the industry calendar is the EDA Annual Awards Dinner which takes place in March and provides a networking event which is second to none for wholesaler and affiliate members. Despite the slump in the economy this year saw a record number of people attending which just goes to prove that this industry acknowledges the benefits which networking brings to any business.

Ray says: “It is great to see so many members attending the Annual Awards Dinner and taking advantage of the networking opportunities which it provides. Many of our members have had to tighten their belts over the past few years and as a result the opportunities to network and socialise with other people within the industry have been limited. The fact that the numbers at our Annual Awards Dinner continue to increase year on year is testament to the reputation which the event continues to have and the numerous relationships which continue to be built as a result of it.

“Another very important part of the Annual Awards Dinner is that it gives us a chance to highlight the many successes of the Learning and Development Portfolio and honour the top achievers through the awards presentation.”

Top achievers

Learning and development forms a very large part of what the EDA offers to its members and every year the top achievers are honoured at the Annual Awards Dinner with the presentation of the Learning & Development Achievement Awards which this year were presented by Tom Jones, Director of Lockwell Electrical and an EDA Board member in charge of training.

The top award in the Product Knowledge category went to Craig Hiepner from Deta Electrical, with Iona Hayward and Alexander Crombie, both from Edmundson Electrical taking second and third place respectively.

In the Vocational training category the joint honour of first place went to Hayley Thomas of Lockwell, Martin Molloy of Edmundson Electrical and Michelle Gains and Leanne Morley, both from Kingfisher Lighting.  All of the Vocational winners have completed a Level 2 NVQ and have all been gained permanent roles within the companies they trained with, having initially joined their member companies as ‘placed’ apprentices.

Ray Evans says: “The achievements and commitment which has been shown by everyone participating in the learning and development programme has been exceptional. Both Craig Hiepner and Iona Hayward both won first place for their achievements in the Product Knowledge category last year and it is great to see their continued commitment which has brought them once again to the Annual Awards Dinner as winners.

“I am also delighted that for the first time this year an affiliate member (Kingfisher Lighting) has been successful in the awards. To have two winners from the same company is excellent news and proves that our affiliate members can also benefit from the training and development programme.”

Watch this space

It has been a busy time for the EDA and this looks set to continue over the coming months. The commitment of the Association to promote the interests of the wholesaling industry continues to grow and with it the number of new opportunities and initiates for their members. Over the next few months we will be bringing you regular updates about what they have been up to but if you do want further information then I’m sure they will be delighted to hear from you.

eda_uk

www.eda.org.uk

In 2010/11, Curo made the decision to fit Aico mains powered smoke alarms throughout its 11,500 properties, around 30% of which are HMOs.  This includes optical smoke alarms in the lounge and hallway and a heat alarm in the kitchen of each flat, wirelessly interconnected with Aico’s RadioLINK system.

Interconnecting smoke alarms in a domestic property is a requirement of BS 5839-6 and Building Regulations.  It means that when one alarm detects a fire, all interconnected alarms will go into alarm state, sounding throughout the property.  This provides an earlier warning and the best chance of escape.  The standard way to do this has been to run cabling between the alarms and hard wire the interconnection.  RadioLINK from Aico uses a Radio Frequency (RF) signal instead, which can save time, disruption and cost when upgrading systems in existing properties.

RadioLINK is suitable for use with the best-selling Ei160 Series and Ei2110 Multi sensor mains powered alarms from Aico.  These alarms feature 10 year plus Lithium cell back-up and Remote System Control option.

In addition to the smoke and heat alarms, Curo is fitting Aico Ei262 mains-powered CO alarms into the properties.  The CO alarm comes with rechargeable Lithium Cell back-up and a cost saving replaceable CO sensor to extend the life of the alarm unit.  The sensor is pre-calibrated and tested in CO gas to ensure accuracy.

The alarm unit features both high and low level LED indicators, with a special pre alarm LED indication for detection of CO at 50ppm.  Other features of note include a built-in Test/Hush button, Easi-fit design, Quick CO Gas Test facility and a Memory Feature which enables the user to tell if CO has been detected during a period of absence.

www.aico.co.uk

The new site will provide over 175,000 square feet of purpose-built office and storage facilities for AJW’s extensive range of Airbus and Boeing components, engines and consumables. The new facility will also offer a first class experience for visitors and employees who will benefit from modern, streamlined and efficient office layouts, a training theatre, and on-site catering and restaurant, in addition to outstanding sports and leisure facilities.

CP’s Vitesse systems were specified and installed by WM Building Services Limited of Leicester who were under contract from the project managers to install all lighting within the HQ building and the warehouse office lighting.   Working closely with WM, CP was able to advise the best products to use for each of the areas requiring presence detection, which included corridors, offices and toilets.

CP’s Vitesse Plus was the preferred option as it provided effective power delivery and control whilst, offering 10 luminaire outputs, the system can be configured into three separate channels if required and can easily be installed with little or no commissioning.  Vitesse Plus also offers two varieties of presence detectors; either a ceiling mounted PIR version or a long range microwave sensor for large space detection, with both suitable for absence/presence detection and daylight dimming.

Helen Jephcote of WM commented: “We were already familiar with CP’s products, having used them previously so this played a big part in specifying them for this particular project.  The products are easy to install, good value for money and CP is always on hand to advise and answer any queries on installation.”

www.cpelectronics.co.uk

No doubt you’ve already seen more than a few manufacturers about their latest LED lighting this year – LED is here and it’s mainstream. All you have to do is decide what to invest in for your shelves.

Often the choice is easy because there are some fairly low brow attempts at jumping on the bandwagon out there. However, here at Timeguard, we simply refused to put  a bank of LED ‘dots’ in a traditional housing to take advantage of the market’s rose-tinted view of LEDs, and we have instead developed entirely new designs for our outdoor security/courtesy lights that optimise the technology and bring real, new ideas to the table.

Lenses ensure even and diffused light, a complete rethink of the design and the lower heat output of LEDs enables a compact and attractive exterior design whilst honest measurement of output enables the market to see what they are getting and quality control guarantees value for money.

Specifying

The main advantage of LEDs is cited as their energy efficiency, but the quality of light emitted is important too, especially now the technology is being used in our homes and offices. You need to understand how to measure, or describe, the performance.

We all started out by quoting power ratings; 8W, 16W etc. These are numbers that everyone thinks they understand, but they do not tell the full story.  Of more relevance than Wattage, is the measure of Lumens (luminous flux), which is the light perceived by the human eye.  Luminous efficacy is then measured in Lumens per Watt.

Even here you have to be a bit careful, because some products give the LED output and ignore the light loss in the fitting. For instance, LED drivers are typically 85% efficient, which means that a measure of Lumens that does not allow for the whole fitting is giving a very false impression.

Another feature of light quality is photo-biological safety. The politically correct reason for ensuring this is that it confirms that the light presents no hazard to wildlife; however users of outdoor lights may be more impressed that it means that their new light will not attract moths and midges in the way that traditional lights do.

Quality and user friendliness

An LED lamp requires a lot more than the diode – there is also a driver and a heat sink, and the quality of these components is as important as that of the diode in building a long lasting product. Checking for conformity with safety directives should be a given, of course!

There should also be optical lenses to modify the distribution of the light and as a rule of thumb if the dots that are the LEDs are not obscured by lenses, your customers are likely to want to shop around some more before buying.

No matter how fine or bright the light is, it is only useful if it lights the right area, so, unless the detectors have a wide detection range and the lamp heads are adjustable, you could be heading for disappointment. We also ensured that Timeguard NightEYE has a dusk ‘til dawn function.

The moral of all this is to take an overview of the performance, and look beyond the headline numbers because very cheap is rarely very cheerful.  The most economical lighting of all is the lighting made from quality components which can be fitted and forgotten, and that usually means a trusted brand name

Switching

For indoor use, LEDs call for a fundamental rethink. We have all become used to using PIR detectors to switch lights, but relatively few of the PIRs on the market are actually rated to switch LEDs which, despite their low rating, do generate a significant spike in switching.  That is why we made sure our enhanced PIR detectors were rated for LEDs when we introduced them early last year. At the time, LED use was still relatively low, but the writing was clearly on the wall.

These ceiling and wall mounted PIR detectors brought affordable presence detection to the market and enhanced sensitive detection over a central 3m field, where they can react to the slightest movements of office or other sedentary occupants. In addition, they provide reliable motion detection over a full 10m field (based on a typical 3m ceiling height). With their 360 degree fields and simple time on and light level adjustments, they are set to become the new workhorse PIR detectors of choice for all energy saving applications.

Dimming

LEDs also present a bit of a conundrum when it comes to dimming, and no doubt the market will catch up soon.  The challenge is that there is no agreed standard for LED drivers.  Few dimmers have been purposefully designed for LED lighting to date and those that do often do so by accident, only at low wattage and/or only for specific brands of lighting.  With more UK wholesalers and distributors now adding KNX products and expertise to their offer, maybe this is the nudge you need to persuade you to join their numbers?

KNX is a protocol that enables devices from over 200 manufacturers to be used together, affording maximum flexibility when choosing components for a system.  It is equally suitable for large projects like the Salford Quays redevelopment as it is for refurbishment of a single office unit or house.

What next?

This month sees Part L of the 2013 edition of the Building Regulations and as we went to press it was generally assumed that the metric for lighting energy will move to total consumed energy rather than luminaire-based performance, with LENI (Lighting Energy Numeric Indicator) as the tool for measurement.  It makes sense to me and will increase the drive to more efficient luminaires and lighting controls.

Let’s not forget, however, that the massive energy savings that LED lighting is offering in more and more applications means that consumption is not the only factor in choosing LED lighting – looks, build quality and  the nature of the light emitted are high on the list for any end user as well.

www.timeguard.com

The new outpatient’s department will have a large open plan area plus a number of consulting and treatment rooms.

Using the Klik.system dual linking marshalling box, both essential and non-essential lighting circuits can be fed from the same marshalling box and also be controlled by a single digital sensor and wall switch, instead of doubling up on equipment.

The sensors will have both presence detection and also daylight linking in areas where there is some natural light and have just occupancy control in areas where there is none, such as corridors.  All of the circuits are wired for semi-automatic control so that a wall switch can override them where needed.

Derek Hardy, Electrical Engineer for Estates Design & Technical Services at the NHS says: “Providing two lighting circuits in all of the rooms and corridors reduces the load on the essential supply if there is a mains outage. This allows the emergency generator infrastructure to be used for more essential services such as operating theatres.

“Achieving this configuration without a dual supply marshalling box would prove far harder.  A conventionally wired system would involve two light switches and/or two sensors, one for each lighting circuit.  Even if marshalling boxes were used you would still need to double up which involves extra expense and time.”

By using the new dual supply marshalling box if either supply is lost, the luminaires on the essential supply side will remain on.  The occupancy sensor and other control are connected to the essential side of the unit.

www.hager.co.uk

Marco’s Steel Wire Cable Tray was used by the M&E team at the White Water Centre in Lee Valley, located 30 kilometres north of the Olympic Park, on the edge of the 1,000-acre River Lee Country Park – part of the Lee Valley Regional Park.

The White Water Centre has two separate courses including a 300 metre Olympic standard competition course with a 5.5m descent, and a 160m intermediate/training course with a 1.6m descent. Both courses were built from scratch, along with a 10,000 square metre lake. This feeds a system of pumps that provide the course with 15 cubic metres of water per second. The white water is created by these pumps and obstacles placed along the course.

Construction of the Lee Valley White Water Centre started in July 2009 and was completed in December 2010. It opened in spring 2011 as the only brand new London 2012 venue that the public have been able to use ahead of the Games.

Paul Diggins, Sales and Marketing Director said: “Of course we’re delighted to see our product included in a worldwide historic event such as London 2012. Being part of the supply chain involved in delivering products to those on site and helping bring this massive event to life is a fantastic achievement.”

The two courses and the facilities building will remain, with the venue once again becoming a world class canoeing and kayaking facility for people of all levels of ability, and a major leisure attraction for white water rafting.

www.marcocm.com

Cablofil wire mesh cable tray will join Swifts cable ladder and cable tray, and Salamandre distribution and lighting trunking to become a specialist range within Legrand’s existing cable management business unit.

The changes include the closure of Cablofil’s Sutton Weaver site, with orders for all three ranges being processed by a dedicated customer service team at Legrand’s West Bromwich logistics centre.

Legrand’s Cable Management Sales Director, Jeff Platt comments: “Legrand is a market leader in cable management and our aim is always to offer customers the best solution to meet their needs. All three ranges performed well in 2012 and the integration of Swifts, Salamandre and Cablofil within a single business unit will help us build on that performance and put us in an even stronger position to respond quickly and proactively to project opportunities both nationally and internationally.

“For our customers it means a rationalised supply chain and a more integrated approach to specification, delivery and technical support, founded on the Legrand product and service quality commitments that the marketplace trusts.”

www.legrand.co.uk