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Issue 20 | Spring 2011 | £5.00 www.esc.org.uk
Get ready for smart meters
WELCOME
Iwas delighted to see so many
positive comments from
organisations that have received
grants from the Council to
support vulnerable groups in
their communities (pages 14-15).
The team at the ESC has worked
hard over recent months to
ensure that direct support goes
to those that most need it, and
with partners across the UK the
ESC’s grant activity is making a
real impact on people’s lives. It is
even more pleasing to see that
the ESC as a UK-wide charity is
now also active in Northern
Ireland for the first time with its
grant programme supporting
two local projects.
I recently visited Northern
Ireland to meet with the
Northern Ireland Electrical
Standards Lobbying Group
(NIESLG). The main objective of
the NIESLG is to introduce a
competent persons’ scheme for
electrical contractors through
the introduction of appropriate
regulation. Currently Northern
Ireland is the only part of the UK
that does not have such a
scheme. The ESC is supportive
of a competent persons’
scheme being developed, as it
should contribute to protecting
consumers from unsafe
electrical installation work.
On the subject of competent
persons’ schemes, by the time
you receive this edition of
Switched On, we will have held
the roundtable event to
consider the future of Part P. This
ESC-led initiative has been
welcomed by Andrew Stunnell
MP, Parliamentary Under
Secretary of State for the
Department for Communities
and Local Government. We will
be speaking with his officials to
discuss how the ESC and its
industry partners can develop
recommendations on how
Part P can be improved both to
safeguard consumers and to
simplify its implementation and
enforcement.
Acknowledging the tough
financial climate that exists in
the UK, we have decided to
keep our budgeted activity at
the same level. However, we do
intend to do more in terms of
raising awareness and this will
be achieved through increasing
our capacity through the
provision of appropriate tools
such as our new website,
details of which can be found
on page 6.
I am immensely proud of the
work that the team puts in to
ensure that we can achieve
maximum impact with our
campaigning messages and I
am confident that you will agree
that the new website is an
excellent tool to help us
communicate with consumers
and our partners alike.
It is no secret that for an
organisation to succeed you
have to have good people.
With the support of the
Trustees we have developed an
appropriate Learning and
Development strategy to help
our staff develop and enhance
their skills, both for the benefit
of the organisation and
themselves. With our approach
to learning and with the
support of the Trustees and
staff we were able to retain our
Investors in People (IiP)
accreditation when we were
reassessed at the end of 2010.
Retaining IiP provides us with a
strong platform on which we
can build our campaigning and
technical activities, which
should enable us to provide
even more direct benefit in the
coming years.
As always, we would welcome
feedback on Switched On, to
help us improve the content.
Email feedback@esc.org.uk
Phil Buckle
Director General
Well respected in the industry as a source of authoritative technical information
concerning the application of the requirements of the Wiring Regulations
(BS 7671), this fully searchable online resource contains over 300 topics covering a
wide range of relevant subjects to help you in your work or studies. Subjects are
clearly explained with the aid of full colour illustrations, diagrams and tables. Each
topic can be printed out for ease of reference as required.
During the subscription year, the topics will be updated as necessary to take
account of the changes that will be introduced by Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008.
A year’s subscription to the ESC’s online Essential Guide
to the Wiring Regulations is now available for a limited
period at the bargain price of just £35 (plus VAT)!
To subscribe or for a 7 day free trial, visit www.eschub.org.uk
ESC Essential Guide now available FOR JUST £35
Working in partnership to support vunerable groups - see page 14 - 15
news
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14
15
technical
16
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features
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13
issue 20 Spring 2011
switchedonyour insight into the electricalsafety industry
Towards a smarter Britain
Smart meters: ESC makesfunctional designrecommendations
The smart meter installationprogramme – the electricalsafety debate continues
Welcome
News in brief
Plug into Safety campaign –working with industry partners Also, Christmas wouldn’t be
Christmas without fairy lights but …
Letters
ESC supports search for the UK’stop electricianAlso, BEAMA’S Dave Dossett retires
after 50 years in industry
ESC hosts Part P round-tableAlso, Towards a safer future: Council
finalises five-year corporate strategy
Private rented housing in Scotland:The UK’s leading lights
Working in partnership to support
vunerable groups
ESC collaborates with leadingproperty organisations to producenew guidance
Electric vehicles – making theright connection
Have you ever been asked...when is it really necessary touse insulated hand tools
Incorrect use of thermosettinginsulated cables at 90 °C current ratings
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 3
Published by:
The Electrical Safety Council
Unit 1.10, Canterbury Court, Kennington
Park Business Centre, 1 - 3 Brixton Road,
London SW9 6DE
www.esc.org.uk
www.eschub.org.uk
www.twothirtyvolts.org.uk
www.switchedonkids.org.uk
Tel: 0870 040 0561 Fax: 0870 040 0560
email: switchedon@esc.org.uk
Cover image courtesyof Energy UK
4 SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011
news
BEAMA RCD handbook updated
The RCD Handbook – BEAMA Guide to the
Selection and Application of Residual
Current Devices – 2010 has been revised to
align it with the 17th Edition of the IET Wiring
Regulations (BS 7671:2008).
Key changes include:
• The inclusion of products introduced
since the 2003 edition such as Fused
Connection Units Incorporating a
Residual Current Device (FCURCD);
• Explanations of new terms introduced in
the 17th Edition, such as ‘Protective
Earthing’ and ‘Protective Equipotential
Bonding’;
• Revisions and improvements to aid the
selection of the correct RCD and to find
faults in RCD Protected Installations.
You can download if for free at
www.beama.org.uk
Faulty cable destroyed as
ACI tightens its grip
Following the destruction of more than
five million metres of faulty electrical cable,
the Approved Cables Initiative (ACI) is
calling on electrical distributors to consider
their responsibilities and not to compound
the problem.
Atlas Kablo cable, identified as under-
specified and therefore unsafe, was the
subject of a manufacturer’s product recall
last summer. The destruction and recycling
of the cable continues, witnessed and
verified by BASEC, with many more million
metres awaiting action. Yet despite this the
ACI understands that some distributors
have decided to ignore the product recall
and continue to sell some of these cables.
Peter Smeeth, spokesperson for the ACI
said: “This is a very worrying discovery and
a dangerous practice. We would reiterate
that all Atlas Kablo cable in the supply
chain should not be sold or installed and
should be returned to the place of
purchase.
“Distributors along with everyone in the
electrical supply chain have a duty of care
and must comply with their legal duties.
We would advise anyone who believes
they have recently purchased any suspect
cable to get in touch with the ACI,”
continued Mr Smeeth.
The destruction of faulty electrical cables,
(image supplied courtesy of BASEC).
For further information about the ACI
campaign visit www.aci.org.uk
Grubby home habits help spark
thousands of electrical fires
Dirty and chaotic kitchens are not just a
health hazard – they can also be a fire risk.
Almost 13,000 fires each year arise from the
misuse of, and faults with, electrical
cooking appliances.
“In our opinion – which is shared by the
fire and rescue professionals we consulted
- a considerable number of kitchen fires
occur through a casual attitude to
cleaning and safety in kitchens,” explains
Martyn Allen, head of technical
development at the ESC. “And our research
also indicates that over a quarter of Britons
suspect at least one of their electrical
appliances is faulty.”
Housekeeping
guru Aggie
MacKenzie
agrees: “Allowing
food and fat
deposits to build
up on cookers –
or trailing leads
across them -
and using the
tops of
microwaves as extra storage and forgetting
to remove things like tea towels draped
over them, can all pose a safety risk. So
clean up your act - or you could end up
burning a lot more than your toast!”
Here’s the ESC’s three top tips for
reducing the risk of an electrical fire in
your home:
• Keep electrical appliances , particularly
kitchen items such as cookers and
microwaves, clean and free from grease.
• If an electrical appliance works
erratically, has a flex or cable showing
visible wear and tear, or you can smell
burning when the appliance is in use,
stop using it immediately.
• Avoid placing anything flammable too
close to electric heaters, cookers or fires.
For more information, go to www.esc.org.uk
Mother and son
electrocuted in bath
A mother and her three-year-old son have
tragically died when a heater fell into their
bath. It appears that a portable heater may
have been knocked into the bath from an
adjacent unit.
Romanian-born Vasilica Arsene, 37, pulled
the heater from the bath and dragged wife
Liliana, 34, and son Filip from the water.
Filip, was pronounced dead at the scene
and Liliana died early the following
morning in hospital near their home in
Harold Hill, Romford, Essex.
A Scotland Yard spokesman told the
Evening Standard: “We were called at about
8.30pm. Officers attended with the fire and
ambulance service and found a woman
and a child who had suffered a cardiac
arrest following an apparent electrocution.”
IN BRIEF
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 5
news
The ESC’s Plug into Safety campaign –
which aims to reduce electrical fires and
accidents by encouraging the installation
and use of RCDs - continues to gain
momentum. Since the launch of the
campaign in May last year, a wide range of
wholesale and retail partners, as well as
individual contractors, have joined the
Council in promoting the message ‘An RCD
can save your life’.
Regular readers will know that the ESC has
produced a variety of material to support
the campaign. For example, to help
electricians lead the way in encouraging
householders to install RCDs, the Council
has produced a tailored ‘electrician’s
toolkit’. These are packs containing 50 ESC
leaflets that explain both the importance of
RCD protection to consumers and the
different options available. Detachable
blank business cards have also been
included, which the contractor can
complete and leave with a client after a
house-call. To date, over 1.5million leaflets
and 19,000 packs have been distributed.
“I always advise my customers toget RCD protection but sometimesit can be difficult to convincepeople just how crucial it really is”
explains Gary Fisher, a London-based
electrician. “The Plug into Safety toolkit
clearly explains the issues and helps ensure
that customers feel well-informed. As the
information is from a respected charity and
not a commercial enterprise, it also helps
demonstrate that I have my customers’
best interests at heart, rather than me
wanting to rake in the cash! And, as I can
leave information behind for the customer
to read at their leisure, I don’t have to do a
‘hard sell’ there and then.”
The toolkits are free of charge and can be
obtained from the ESC’s wholesale
partners. For your nearest stockist, log
onto www.esc.org.uk/plugintosafety. If
you prefer to communicate with
customers by email, there is also a
downloadable PDF of the toolkit available
on the website.
In addition to providing packs for
individual contractors, RCD messages are
being communicated via the Council’s
retail partners through information
leaflets, posters and shelf wobblers, in-
store. Targeted at high-risk groups, this
material aims to remind consumers about
the importance of RCD protection,
particularly when carrying out higher risk
activities such as gardening or DIY.
“To ensure the success of the Plug into
Safety campaign”, it is vital that we have
the support of all sectors of the industry,”
explains Lorraine Carney, head of
campaigns at the ESC. “So we would like
to extend our thanks to all those who
have joined us in promoting the
campaign”.
PLUG INTO SAFETY CAMPAIGN – WORKING WITH INDUSTRY PARTNERS
Christmas lights are a long-standing
tradition of the festive season.
However, old electrical decorations kept in
damp and dusty storage spaces can create
fire hazards.
As part of the Plug into Safety RCD
campaign, the Council launched the ESC’s
Safe Stockings Programme which issued
advice about the importance of using
RCDs and handy tips for a safely lit
Christmas. Safe Stockings was timed to
take advantage of the season when
decorative lighting is often used
extensively outside and when many
presents are of the electrical variety. The
UK’s electrical industry has a strong safety
record, yet every year in the UK, about 70
people die and 1.2 million are injured in
electrical accidents in the home. There are
also more than 20 000 domestic fires each
year that occur through misuse of, or fault
with, electrical appliances or installations.
The Council urged shoppers to put their
family’s safety above the glitz and
excitement of the festive season by
checking their home for RCD protection,
noting that plug-in RCDs costing just £10
were a cost-effective and simple way of
ensuring a safe and happy Christmas
without breaking the bank.
Extensive coverage was gained in national
press and radio, including AOL, MSN and
Sky News radio. Regional press coverage
was also strong with particular focus in
areas of low RCD uptake in England.
CHRISTMAS WOULDN’T BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUTFAIRY LIGHTS BUT …
esc.org.uk
Keep up thegood work I always have a quick flick
through your magazine, but the
last issue was the best by far.
The article on green goo was
great. I knew it was caused by
deterioration in the cable and
that it was important not to
disturb it as it can be brittle with
decreased insulation, but your
article has now given me a
complete understanding of
the problem.
The article “Have you ever been
asked…?” on RCD tripping was
also an excellent choice. This
happens on almost a daily basis
and I am often asked by worried
customers what has happened:
“All the electrics have gone.” I
have asked any number of other
electricians why this is and
nobody has had a real
explanation. The usual answer is
just: “Yeah, that happens to me.
It’s because the RCDs are so
sensitive that they pick up
anything.”
I always told customers that it’s
just a parallel path on the earth.
I am so pleased to have a real
understanding of what is really
happening, it gives me a
technical explanation in my
armoury next time I’m asked
and has helped solve one of
those unsolved mysteries that
sometimes make you question
yourself – thank you.
Keep the technical articles
coming, they are clear, concise,
easy to understand and real,
everyday issues, well done.
They have transformed your
magazine from one that used to
warrant a quick flick through to
check for anything interesting
that had articles more suited to
homeowners into a informative
and relevant journal that I don’t
want to miss. Well done and
thank you.
Philip Messenger
Via email
Enemy atthe gatesFurther to the letter from
William Budd on electric gates
(Issue 19 of Switched On), there
is a requirement to have force
limit sensors and equipment on
gates, now with retest and
certification issued.
Dave Russell
DPR Electrical Services
6 SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011
letters
Letters I’m sure that there are many within the electrical industry
that will have strong feelings about some of the issues
raised in Switched On. So feel free to shout about them.
Please email your letters to the Editor of Switched On at:andrewbrister@ymail.com
Please note that we will not be able to enter into correspondence regarding
every letter received, nor will we have the space to publish every viewpoint. We
reserve the right to edit letters for publication.
• It’s interactive
• Easier to browse
• Written in plain English
• Get information about our latest campaigns
to keep consumers safe
Whether you are a mum, businessman,
government organisation or electrician
you will find updated tailored information
to meet your electrical safety needs.
It’s electrifying...
Experience the vibrancy and richness of the Electrical Safety Council’s new website.
It’s the same address with a fresher, more contemporary look.Visit www.esc.org.uk for improved guidance and advice.
Calling all apprentices – the 2011
SkillELECTRIC competition is looking for
the industry’s most promising talent to be
named the UK’s best electrician.
During the competition, organised by
SummitSkills and supported by the ESC,
entrants will be assessed on a series of
challenging practical tests reflecting their
day-to-day work. Regional heats will be held
around the country, culminating in a grand
final in September.
This year will see SkillELECTRIC finalists
competing side-by-side with those from
SkillPLUMB, SkillPIPE and SkillFRIDGE at a
prestigious event that will also feature the
UK final of construction competition
SkillBUILD.
“Taking part in SkillELECTRIC is not only
highly motivational for employees but also
drives them to achieve higher standards
back in the workplace,” said Neil Collishaw,
head of skills competitions and awards at
SummitSkills. “Past competitors have gone
on to become an even greater asset to their
employers and a inspirational role model
for their peers.”
The closing date to register for the
competition is 24 March 2011.
Call 01908 303972 for more information or
visit www.skillelectric.org.uk
ESC SUPPORTS SEARCH FOR THE UK’S TOP ELECTRICIAN
Calling all apprentices – Register now for the 2011 SkillELECTRIC competition - www.skillelectric.org.uk
After nearly 50 years in the industry and 20
years with BEAMA, latterly as its executive
chairman, popular electrotechnical sector
figure Dave Dossett has retired.
To honour his many achievements, BEAMA
organised a surprise reception attended by
colleagues, industry figures and his family at
West Ham United’s Upton Park ground –
Dave Dossett has been a life-long ‘Hammers’
supporter.
A surprised Dave Dossett received several gifts
to mark the occasion, including a West Ham
‘Dossett’ shirt signed by the team. He said: “I’m
proud to have been part of BEAMA’s evolution
into the successful, lean and influential
organisation it is today.
“It’s been a privilege and pleasure
working in this industry and I thank the
many colleagues and friends I have made
for their friendship and support. It’s a
great industry with excellent people - it’s
been fun.”
Until the end of 2012, Dave Dossett will
continue on a part time basis as president of
Cenelec, the European Committee for
Electrotechnical Standardisation, and as
advisor to the BEAMA Board and its CEO, its
new team in Installation, and on standards
and industry issues. Also, he will complete
his term as immediate past chairman of the
Electrical Safety Council.
Terry Rowbury, BEAMA’s energy sector
director now has the additional role of
installation sector director and Keith Smith
has taken over as secretary of the Anti-
Counterfeiting Working Group, upon which
Dave Dossett served for the past 10 years.
BEAMA’S DAVE DOSSETT RETIRES AFTER50 YEARS IN INDUSTRY
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 7
news
8 SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011
news
The Electrical Safety Council has now
finalised its five-year corporate
strategy covering 2011-2016.
The strategy sets out the key objectives for
the next five years which are linked to the
charity’s vision for everyone to be safe from
the dangers that electricity can create. In line
with its core focus on electrical safety, the
Electrical Safety Council identifies its
strategic priorities as follows:
1. Building the capacity of its people
while creating a positive working
environment;
2. Safer products Working with key
stakeholders to influence consumer
behaviour so that they buy safer
products and help tackle the ever-
growing issue of counterfeit products.
The Charity will also seek to influence
consumers to change their behaviour to
avoid the misuse of electrical products;
3. Housing standards The Charity intends
to influence landlords and homeowners
to upgrade electrical installations in older
properties to current standards including
the installation and use of residual
current devices (RCDs). The Charity will
influence landlords and homeowners to
carry out regular checks of the condition
of their electrical installations and
electrical appliances. The Charity will also
monitor the application, review and
development of Building Regulations in
the British Isles to represent the electrical
safety interests of consumers;
4. Research Maintaining a robust evidence
base to support its work and will ensure
Last December, the government
announced plans for reviewing the
Building Regulations for England and Wales.
In a statement, Communities Minister
Andrew Stunnell set out the main elements
of the programme of work that the
Department for Communities and Local
Government (DCLG) will lead this year to
establish the changes required to the
Building Regulations regime between now
and 2013 to ensure that it
remains fit for purpose and
delivers its contribution to
the government’s policy
goals.
The programme was
developed following
consultation earlier last year
between DCLG and a wide
range of stakeholders,
including the ESC. A key
theme to emerge from the
consultation was that
although the Building Regulations regime
was generally considered to be fit for
purpose, there are things that can be
improved.
The consultation process reportedly
confirmed the DCLG’s belief that the
Building Regulations should remain the
national minimum standard that building
work should comply with. However, the
process also identified a number of areas
where DCLG thinks there may be potential
for deregulation and streamlining of the
technical and procedural aspects of the
regulations.
In particular, the government proposes to
evaluate the contribution that Part P
(Electrical safety – dwellings) has made to
improving electrical safety
in and around homes since
the requirements were
introduced in 2005. The
evaluation will include a
review of the requirements,
their implementation and
the associated compliance
mechanisms to enable
DCLG to determine
whether there is any case
for change.
To assist this evaluation
process, the ESC hosted a
round-table event in March that brought
together a range of parties having a
particular interest in Part P and its future
application. The aim was to examine how
best to create a strong evidence base to
enable the impact of Part P to date to be
assessed, and to consider what industry
could do to develop consensus during
2011on a preferred way forward.
Parties represented at the round-table
event, which was chaired by Ann Robinson
of uSwitch, included:
ABE (Association of Building Engineers)
Competent Persons Forum
DCLG
ELECSA
ECA (Electrical Contractors’ Association)
IET (Institution of Engineering and
Technology)
LABC (Local Authority Building Control)
NAPIT
NICEIC
TSI (Trading Standards Institute)
Which?
The outcomes of the event will be used to
inform and support responses to a further
DCLG consultation on the future of Part P,
which is expected at the end of this year.
The ESC understands that, following
consideration of the consultation responses
and further refinement of the proposals,
DCLG’s aim would be for any necessary
amending legislation and revised guidance
in Approved Document P to be published in
October 2012, six months prior to any new
provisions coming into force in April 2013.
ESC HOSTS PART P ROUND-TABLE
TOWARDS ASAFERFUTURE:COUNCILFINALISESFIVE-YEARCORPORATESTRATEGY
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 9
news
The Public Affairs work of the Electrical
Safety Council seeks to influence the
political landscape across the United
Kingdom. The Scottish Parliament has
power over housing rules in Scotland, and
the Council has therefore been engaging
with MSPs to discuss electrical safety
standards in Scottish homes.
This is a key time to influence MSPs in the
run up to the Scottish Parliament elections
in May. It seems likely that the SNP and
Scottish Labour Party will be the two main
parties in Scotland after the elections, and
the Council has key supporters in both.
However, between now and the elections,
the Private Rented Housing Bill is making its
way through the chamber. There is support
from across the Parliament to increase
standards in private rented accommodation,
and it is likely that the Bill will pass before
the election.
The Electrical Safety Council has submitted
evidence to the Bill Committee, stressing
the need for improved assessment of
electrical safety in privately rented housing.
The Council is calling for two key action
points. Firstly, there should be mandatory
Periodic Inspection Reports (PIRs) every five
years in all private rented properties in
Scotland. The Bill as introduced calls for the
introduction of a Tenant Information Pack
listing various key details of the property,
and the ESC believes a PIR should make up
a key element of this. Currently, the duty of
the landlord to carry out repairs and
maintenance on properties is only
enforceable if the tenant informs the
landlord of faults, or if the landlord is made
aware in some other way. Given the low
level of knowledge of tenants, and the often
‘invisible’ nature of electrical risks, the
Council believes a reactive regime is
insufficient protection; tenants may not be
in a position to recognise and notify the
landlord that there is a problem until it is
too late.
In addition to this, the Council is calling for a
clear statement in the Tenant Information
Pack on whether or not RCD protection is
installed. The ESC believes explanatory
information tied to the Repairing Standard
should also be provided on good electrical
safety. Landlords in Scotland will therefore
need to actively consider the issue of RCD-
protection, and this should over time deliver
a shift in landlords’ thinking and approach to
electrical safety, as well as increase tenants’
awareness and encourage them to ask
landlords about the absence of an RCD.
If the Scottish Parliament enacts these
changes, it will ensure that the nation’s
safety standards in private rented housing
are higher than those in any other part of
the UK. Where Scotland leads the way, other
nations within the UK can follow. This year,
the Welsh Assembly is also likely to have
housing powers devolved, and the ESC
intends to use similar techniques to achieve
regulatory change there.
PRIVATE RENTED HOUSING IN SCOTLAND:THE UK’S LEADING LIGHTS
this evidence is current. In addition, the
Electrical Safety Council will commission
independent research and impact
evaluation to further the objective of
public safety;
5. Profile In positioning itself as a charity
pursuing public safety, the Electrical
Safety Council will strengthen and
promote the brand with the public
through effective partnerships with key
stakeholders;
6. The green economy The Charity will
help ensure that technological advances
in integrating renewable sources into the
UK electrical supply system and
emergence of other carbon-saving
technologies do not compromise the
safety of people and places. The Charity
will also continue to work with key
stakeholder groups associated with the
smart meter programme to help ensure
the safety of consumers and meter
installers; and
7. Income streams The Charity will
continue to exercise financial prudence
while seeking to diversify its income
streams.
Phil Buckle, director general of the Council,
notes that: “A rolling three-year business
plan will be developed to ensure that a
focus remains on the priorities set out in the
strategy document, including appropriate
and specific measures to ensure key
objectives are monitored.” He adds that the
Charity will continue to strive to ensure
consistent positive outcomes for its
beneficiaries over the life of the strategy
and beyond.
10 SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011
The government has announced plans to installsmart electricity meters in all of the UK’s 26million homes and two million plus smaller non-domestic premises by 2020. This, together withother technological changes, will have a bigimpact upon electrical installations. Rather thanviewing the introduction of smart meters as anend in itself it should be seen as the first stepalong a pathway that will lead to radical changesin the way electricity is generated, distributed andused. Before looking at these changes we firstneed to consider the forces that are causing thesechanges to take place.
The first decade of the 21st century saw a somewhatreluctant world-wide acceptance that global warming
presented mankind with challenges of immenseproportion. Governments throughout the world nowaccept that that the growth of CO2 (carbon dioxide) inthe atmosphere is a factor influencing global warmingand that it is vital that they act to reduce CO2
emissions to the atmosphere.
In 2009 the British Government produced the LowCarbon Transition Plan which aims to reduce the UK’sCO2 emissions by 80% of the 1990 levels, by 2050. Alsoincluded was an interim target of a 34% reduction by2020. These targets will require a radical review of howwe use all forms of energy and it is expected that thesteps taken to achieve these targets will have asignificant impact upon industry, the built environmentand transport systems.
“Smart metersalso need to beable to monitorenergy flowing
from and to the grid”
A
Under the gas Act this meter is the property of the Gas Supplier to these premises
Press button A until Metre Index is visiblethenpress Button B to update Index
BBACCESS ONLY BY AUTHORISED PERSONNEL
Q max 6m2/hrQ min 0.04m2/hrP max 75 mbar
For use with gases consistingmainly of Methane excluding LPG
GAS FLOWHANDLE WITH CARE
IF YOU THINK YOU SMELL GASTurn off the supply at the control valve.
Open doors and windows. Do NOT use
naked flames. Do NOT turn electrical
switches on or off. Do NOT smoke.
IMMEDIATLEY CONTACT GAS EMERGENCY SERVICE
0800 000 000
1
1 3
1
allow people to monitor the power they have generated using microgeneration units such as wind turbines and solar panels.
make estimated bills unnecessary.
enable consumers to use off-peak tariffs when charging items such as electric cars.
A smart meter will:
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measure electricity and gas consumption giving consumers and supply company real-time energy useage data.
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enable consumers to monitor their energy usage through internet access via computer, mobile phone or TV.
measure surplus electricity being sold back to the electricity supplier.
alert consumers that equipment is in standby mode.
A smart meter could:
3
allow customers to interact with appliances via the home area network.
automatically inform electricity suppliers about a power cut or a problem with the grid system enabling swift repair.
Towards a smarter
Figure 1: Examples of smart devices connected to home area network
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 11
To meet the CO2 reduction targets, by 2050 we willneed to generate virtually all electricity using cleansources of energy. It is expected that by 2050 thesystems for generation, transmission, distribution andutilisation of electrical energy will be very differentfrom those of today and are likely to consist ofnumber of clean generating stations supplemented bya vast array of renewable energy sources feedingelectrical energy into the distribution system.
To optimise performance and minimise environmentalimpact the electrical generation and distributionsystem of tomorrow will require the integration ofsophisticated information and communicationtechnologies and the term ‘Smart Grid’ has beencoined to describe such electrical power systems. Animportant component of the smart grid is the smartmeter which is an energy meter with the ability tocommunicate with both the customer and thesupplier. Smart meters also need to be able to monitorenergy flowing from and to the grid.
The installation of smart meters is expected totransform how energy is used in domestic premises. Inthe longer term, the smart meter will form the hub ofa ‘Home Area Network’ which will use wirelesstechnology to enable two-way communicationbetween the hub and smart devices controlling itemssuch as home heating systems, micro-generationdevices, electric vehicle charging and home laundries.
The introduction of smart meters is likely to lead tothe introduction of a new range of tariffs designed toencourage the consumer to use energy when thedemand is low. Using the smart meter, the consumerwill be able to select options that ensure items ofequipment that draw large amounts of energy areonly connected when cheaper tariffs are available. The
consumer will interact with the smart meters (gas andelectricity) using an ‘In Home Display’ which willenable them to monitor their energy use. The smartmeter will also communicate details of energy usageto the supplier and this information will, in the longerterm, be used to control the smart grids.
The Department of Energy and Climate Change(DECC) has, since last July, been liaising withinterested parties to produce a co-ordinated approachto the smart meter rollout. As shown in figure 2 weare approaching the end of phase one when the Officeof Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) is scheduled topublish the results of its public consultation. Theseoutcomes will shape how the installation programmeis to be implemented.
The installation of 28 million smart electricity metersby 2020 presents both enormous challenges and aunique opportunity to monitor the condition ofexisting electrical installations. It also serves to providean opportunity to distribute safety information on gasand electricity services to all UK households.Throughout phase one of the timetable the ElectricalSafety Council has been actively involved in promotingissues that impact upon the electrical safety ofconsumers and meter installers. In the winter 2010issue of Switched On, we reported on some of theCouncil’s activities in relation to the smart meterprogramme, in particular the round-table event thatthe Council hosted in October 2010.
At the time of writing, the ESC and others whoparticipated in the consultation process were stillwaiting for the conclusions of the smart meterprospectus to be published. On receipt, a follow uparticle will brief readers upon the proposals and theCouncil’s next steps.
“The installationof 28 millionsmart electricitymeters by 2020presents bothenormouschallenges anda uniqueopportunity”
“
PHASE 1Scoping study (Prospectus)
PHASE 2Detailed design
PHASE 3Implement design
PHASE 4Installation
KEY DECISON POINTDecisions to be taken by ministers and GEMA
GO ACTIVESupplier rollout obligations
GO LIVEDCC providing services
EARLY 2011
SPRING 2012
AUTUMN 2013
COMPLETION2020r Britain
Figure 2: Timetable for installing smart meters
Imag
e co
urte
sy o
f Ene
rgy
UK
12 SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011
In November last year, shortly following the ESC’sSmart Meter round-table event reported in theprevious issue of Switched On, the Council wroteto Ofgem making recommendations concerningthe functional design requirements for smartelectricity meters.
The ESC strongly recommends that a manual isolatingswitch is incorporated in all smart electricity meters toprovide a safe and convenient means for non-electricalindustry parties, such as electricians, to isolate thesupply to domestic premises when necessary for safeworking on consumers’ installations (for example toreplace consumer units). This facility would avoid theneed for them to arrange for the supplier or meteroperator to remove the cut-out fuse, as is the currentunsatisfactory situation. The provision of such a meansof isolation would also be of considerable benefit toconsumers in terms of cost and convenience whenhaving electrical work carried out.
The ESC pointed out that the provision of an integral
isolating switch would also help address another safety
issue that the Council had previously drawn to Ofgem’s
attention – the risk that meter tail connections at the
main switch in consumer units may be loosened when
meters are replaced, possibly introducing a fire hazard.
The Council believes that the meter installer should be
responsible for checking the tightness of these
connections before re-energising an installation and
leaving site. However, there is clearly reluctance on the
part of some meter operators to do this, and so the
party to be made responsible for this safety check has
yet to be determined.
If responsibility for checking the tightness of theseconnections following the installation of a new meter isto be left with the occupier or landlord (a situation thatwould be of concern to the ESC), they would need to beadvised to call in a registered electrician to check theconnections on their behalf. However, for safe working,this would also require the meter operator to be calledback to remove the cut-out fuse – a potentiallyexpensive and unpopular exercise for the consumer,especially if the connections were found to be tight. Butat least the repeat involvement of the meter operatorcould be avoided if a means of isolation had beenincorporated in the meter.
In conjunction with an integral means of isolation, theCouncil also recommended to Ofgem that thefunctional design requirements permit the outgoing(load side) terminals of the smart meter to be accessedby electricians, that is, not sealed. This would enable theconsumer’s meter tails to be replaced (for examplewhen a consumer unit is relocated) without needing tocall in the meter operator to remove the cut-out fuseand to connect the meter tails to the meter.
The ESC pointed out that another benefit of providing
an isolating switch in the meter is that it would avoid
the need to install separate isolating switches between
meters and consumer units, as is the practice in some
parts of the UK, to overcome the ‘access to service
fuses’ issue. The provision of such separate switches not
only usually incurs additional costs for consumers, but
also introduces additional connections in the meter tails
that are potential weak points in the integrity of supply
arrangements.
In response to these recommendations, Ofgem called
for qualitative and quantitative evidence to support the
case for changing the smart meter specification which,
with the support of the electrical trade associations and
contractor registration bodies, was quickly provided.
Based on Part P notification statistics, it was estimated
that, every year, electrical contractors carry out almost
400,000 jobs in domestic premises in England and
Wales alone that necessitate the temporary
disconnection of the incoming supply to provide for
safe working. Further evidence was provided by local
authorities in Scotland regarding the very substantial
cost to them of having separate isolating switches
installed between meters and consumer units.
To help complete the picture for cost/benefit analysis
purposes, the Council asked Ofgem to call for similar
quantitative and qualitative information from the
electricity suppliers/meter operators, that is, how many
visits do they make to domestic premises each year to
remove and replace service fuses for the purpose of
temporary isolation, and how many isolators do they fit
each year for the same purpose.
At the time this article was written, the Council was stillawaiting the outcome its recommendations and thestatistics from the electricity suppliers/meter operators.
Smart meters: ESC makes functional designrecommendations
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 13
A year ago, in the spring 2010 issue of Switched On, weasked whether the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity thatwill be provided by the smart meter installationprogramme to check the condition of the electricalintake arrangements in all 26 million homes over arelatively short period of time would be missed.
Since then, the Council has become increasingly reassured thatsteps are being taken by the electricity supply industry toaddress many of the so-called ‘legacy safety issues’ that will befound during the meter replacement programme, such as oldservice heads in a dangerous condition.
However, the ESC is still working with the supply industry onsome other safety issues, including:
Reporting on the apparent condition of consumers’electrical equipment
The Council has proposed to the MOCOPA* Health and Safety
Working Group that meter installers should complete and
leave, for the benefit of the occupier or landlord, a short report
on the (mainly visual) condition of the parts of the electrical
intake equipment for which the consumer is responsible.
We have tabled for consideration a draft inspection reportform to record urgent safety concerns such as:
• Your electrical equipment is damaged, exposing live parts totouch
• Your electrical installation appears not to be adequatelyearthed
• Your consumer unit is showing signs of overheating
• The cables connecting the meter to your consumer unit arein a poor/damaged condition
• Your installation appears not to be adequately main bonded
• Your electrical installation is protected by an old voltage-operated earth-leakage circuit-breaker (which may nothave been tested for years).
And potentially less urgent concerns such as:
• The connections at the point the cables from the meterenter your consumer unit may have been loosened duringthe meter replacement process
• The cables connecting the meter to your consumer unit,and/or the earthing conductor for your installation, appearto be undersized
• You have a very old arrangement of separate main switches
• Combustible materials are being stored close to yourelectricity supply equipment.
At the time of writing this article, the scope of the conditionreport was still under debate, particularly the proposals tocomment, if appropriate, on the adequacy of the earthingarrangement, and to check the tightness of the meter tailconnections at the consumer unit main switch (neither ofwhich meter operators were previously intending to do).
Should any of these concerns be identified by the meterinstaller, the intention is that the occupier or landlord wouldbe recommended to seek advice from a registered electricianwith the proviso that, while the meter installer may haveobserved potential defects, damage or deterioration whichmay present electrical safety hazards, such a (mainly visual)inspection alone cannot fully determine whether aninstallation is safe for continued use.
Warning label
The ESC is supportinga proposal from theFire and RescueService, based on itsincident reports, formeter installers, whereappropriate, to fix alabel on or adjacent tothe electrical intake equipment to warn householders not tostore combustible materials close to that equipment. Theproposal follows a number of serious fires in homes where theeffects of an electrical fault, which would otherwise have beencontained within the intake equipment, have set light toadjacent stored materials. Such a warning is particularlyappropriate where the electrical equipment is located adjacentto an escape route, for example under the stairs.
The proposed label will also warn against storing any itemsnear the intake equipment that may cause damage by impact(such as a bike).
We will report further on these and other related issues infuture issues of Switched On.
*The Meter Operation Code of Practice is an agreement betweenelectricity distribution businesses and electricity meter operatorsin Great Britain
The smart meter installationprogramme – the electrical safetydebate continues
A preliminarydraft of theproposedwarning label
14
news
The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) is now working in partnership with
47 consumer safety organisations UK-wide to support vulnerable
groups and help safeguard their health and safety. ESC’s two key
funding initiatives – the Home Improvement Grants Scheme and Fire
Safety Fund – aim to improve electrical safety and awareness in the
home. Both schemes have distributed a combined fund total of
£182,000, which has been shared between 26 projects in England, 11
in Scotland, 7 in Wales and 3 in Northern Ireland. The map lists these
partners and illustrates the geographical spread of funded projects
across the UK.
As indicated in the map, 24 of these projects are funded through the
Home Improvement Grants Scheme. This initiative allows the ESC to
work in collaboration with home improvement agencies across the UK
to provide a much needed source of funding to carry out urgent
essential electrical work. Grants are awarded to individuals who are
householders over 60 years of age, on means-tested benefit or state
pension (and with no other income). Partnership agencies are
responsible for finding the beneficiaries, identifying and organising the
electrical work – which needs to be undertaken by a registered
contractor - and for ensuring it is completed to required safety
standards.
One of the award holders is housing charity Shelter’s Gable project,
which is based in Northern Ireland (NI). Gable assists elderly and
disabled homeowners with home improvements and repairs, and is
the first NI project to be awarded funding under this scheme. The
award will support the organisation’s existing home improvement
scheme and allow Gable to fund additional work not covered by
existing funding streams. This can range from undertaking periodic
inspection reports to upgrading earthing, bonding and consumer
units.
“The funding we have received from the ESC is particularly important
to us in the light of a recent and significant reduction in the housing
grant budget for Northern Ireland,” says Stella LePoidevin, grant
manager at Gable. “We look forward to delivering these
electrical works to our clients and hope that the partnership
with the ESC is one that will continue long into the future.”
The ESC has funded two other projects in Northern
Ireland via its Fire Safety Fund, which supports projects
aimed at reducing deaths and injuries from electrical
fires. In total, 23 consumer safety organisations –
including five Fire and Rescue Services and six
Trading Standards units - were awarded a
share of £102,000. One partner,
Cambridgeshire Trading
Standards (TS), used
funding to run an electric
blanket testing event and
reported a 60% failure rate.
Some blankets tested were
over 30 years old.
As the ESC recommends
disposing of electric blankets that
are 10 years old or over,
Cambridgeshire TS was able to
offer replacement blankets.
“During the testing week there
was a house fire in the area that
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Newcastle
LeedsBlackpool
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Birmingham
Swansea
WORKING IN PARTNERSHIP TO SUPPORTVUNERABLE GROUPS
Home Improvement Grants Scheme
Organisation Location 1 Bristol Care & Repair Bristol, England 2 Perthshire Care & Repair Perth, Scotland 3 Clyde Valley Care & Repair Motherwell, Scotland 4 Neath Port Talbot Care & Repair Neath, Wales 5 Torfaen Care & Repair Torfaen, Wales 6 Gable (Shelter) Strabane, Northern Ireland 7 FILT (Foundations Independent Living Trust) Glossop, England 8 Greenwich Home Improvement Agency London, England 9 Newham Home Improvement Agency London, England 10 Revivial Home Improvement Agency Stoke on Trent, England 11 Trafford Care & Repair Manchester, England 12 Middlesbrough Staying Put Agency Middlesbrough, England 13 West Norfolk Care & Repair King's Lynn, England 14 Inverclyde Care & Repair Greenock, Scotland 15 Clackmannanshire Care & Repair Alloa, Scotland 16 Orkney Care & Repair Kirkwall, Scotland 17 Aberdeen Care & Repair Aberdeen, Scotland 18 Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire Nottingham, England 19 Rochdale Home Improvement Agency Rochdale, England 20 Daventry Care & Repair Daventry, England 21 Mid & West Cornwall Care & Repair Cornwall, England 22 Care and Repair South Lanarkshire Lanark, Scotland 23 Care and Repair Powys Powys, Wales 24 Care and Repair Carmarthenshire Carmarthenshire , Wales
Fire Safety Fund
Organisation Location 1 South Wales Fire & Rescue Service Pontyclum , Wales 2 Barnet Housing London, England 3 Community Safety Div. Wandsworth Council Wandsworth, England 4 Age Concern Sir Gar Llanelli , Wales 5 Act On It East Hoathly, England 6 Oxfordshire Fire & Rescue Service Oxford, England 7 Lancashire Fire & Rescue Service Preston, England 8 Salford City Council Salford, England 9 Bolsover District Council Bolsover, England 10 The Risk Factory Edinburgh, Scotland 11 Darlington Borough Trading Standards Darlington, England 12 Trafford Trading Standards Manchester, England 13 Cambridgeshire Trading Standards Cambourne, England 14 Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD) Colchester, England 15 Shetlands Islands Trading Standards Lerwick, Scotland 16 TADA Rural Support Network Portadown, N. Ireland 17 Strathclyde Fire & Rescue Service Glasgow, Scotland 18 Omagh District Council Co Tyrone, N. Ireland 19 Staffordshire Fire & Rescue Service Burslem, England 20 Essex County Council Trading Standards Chelmsford, England 21 Northamptonshire Trading Standards Northampton, England 22 Perth & Kinross Community Safety Partnership Perth, Scotland 23 Danger Point Holywell, Wales
SwitchedOn Issue 20 Spring 2011 15
news
was caused by a faulty electric blanket - which clearly justifies the time,
money and effort spent delivering the project,” says Hannah Shepherd,
trading standards officer at Cambridgeshire TS. “We greatly appreciate
the support received from the Electrical Safety Council.”
Another funded partner, Wandsworth Council, will use its award to
help deliver a range of children’s awareness raising activities and
events. The Council has already utilised funding to run a children’s
poster competition highlighting the dangers of electricity. Lorraine
Carney, head of campaigns at the ESC, helped local councillors from
the area select the winner. Nine-year-old Kasia Procter, from Holy Ghost
Primary School, designed the winning poster. This will feature in a
widespread outdoor poster campaign throughout Wandsworth.
Projects will continue to run until the end of March. For further details
and information on all of the Council’s Home Improvement Grant
Schemes and Fire Safety Fund projects, please visit the website at
www.esc.org.uk/business-and-community.
The ESC has teamed up with the Association of Residential
Managing Agents (ARMA) and several other UK housing
associations to produce a new guide about electrical safety in the
communal areas of residential properties.
ARMA, Genesis Housing Group, Guinness South, Radian Housing
Group and the Retirement Lease Housing Association have all
contributed to the production of the guide which aims to raise
awareness among landlords of their legal obligations relating to
electrical safety in the common parts of residential buildings.
Common parts include staircases, hallways, landings and boiler
rooms – areas that are not the responsibility of the building’s
respective residents. This will largely apply to blocks of flats and
Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) in England and Wales.
The charity was approached by ARMA after concerns were raised in
the wake of several high profile electrical incidents such as the fire
at Lakanal House in Camberwell, London. The fire caused the death
of six people in July 2009 after a television burst into flames on the
ninth floor of the residential building.
Both the ESC and ARMA are concerned that many landlords and
managing agents are unclear about their responsibilities with
regard to electrical safety in the communal areas of their
properties - an issue that is largely due to a lack of resources
available in the area. A survey of ARMA members supported these
concerns and it was revealed that 84% of recipients felt that a
guide addressing inspection and testing in communal areas would
be extremely helpful.
The new guide is presented in a similar booklet style format to the
successful Landlord’s Guide to Electrical Safety, which was released
early last year. The charity hopes that this new guidance will go
some way towards improving the understanding of electrical
safety responsibility in communal areas so as to prevent electrical
incidents and ensure the safety of residents.
The guide is available to download from the ESC website
(www.esc.org.uk) as well as in hard copy which can be requested
by email (enquiries@esc.org.uk.)
ESC COLLABORATES WITH LEADING PROPERTYORGANISATIONS TO PRODUCE NEW GUIDANCE
16 SwitchedOn Issue 19 - Winter 2010
technical
We investigate the suitability of the UK 13 A plug and socket-outlet system for charging electric vehicles.
Standardisation work is being undertaken at European andInternational level to establish and agree on a harmonised approachfor the safety, interoperability and connectivity of an electric vehicle(EV) charging infrastructure. In the meantime, many EVmanufacturers are looking at the suitability of existing Nationaldomestic plug and socket-outlet systems as a connection solution(potentially as an interim measure) for charging EVs. In UK homes,13 A socket-outlets conforming to the product standard BS 1363 aregenerally used for the connection of current-using equipment.
One of the main challenges, according to a leading motor vehiclemanufacturer, is the amount of energy needed to fully and safelycharge EV batteries within a reasonable period of time. A fullydischarged EV battery (typically requiring 27 kWh of energy) is likelyto take over eight hours to reach full capacity when connected to theelectricity supply via a standard UK 13 A plug and socket-outlet.
This charge time has recently provoked much discussion within theEV and electrical equipment manufacturing industry regarding thecapability of BS 1363 plug and socket-outlets to safely, repeatedlyand reliably transfer 27 kWh of energy, and regarding the continuousoperation of BS 1363 13 A Socket-outlets at their maximum ratedcurrent.
Following an increase in the number of queries relating to electricvehicles, particularly to do with the type of plug and socket-outlet forthe charging arrangements, the ESC decided to commission anindependent laboratory to determine the mechanical and electricalstresses that may occur to BS 1363 socket-outlets when subject tofull-load continuous operation.
A selection of commercially-available 13 A 250 V, switched two-gangfixed socket-outlets were subject to:
• 5000 insertions/withdrawals of an approved BS 1363 rewireableplug at 13 A 250 V to simulate normal wear as per sub-clause
18.1.2 Normal operation of BS 1363: Part 2 1995 plusAmendments 1, 2 and 3, and
• 3 x 8 hour operational runs at 13 A 250 V
The socket-outlet and plug terminal temperatures and plug accessible
surface temperatures were monitored during the test. A visual
examination was carried out after the test to identify any excessive
wear or harmful effects.
For all the samples tested, the maximum temperature rise at
terminals and touch surfaces were within the limits specified by the
product standard, and a visual examination of all socket-outlets after
all testing showed no degradation beyond that expected from normal
operation.
Although this investigation finds that BS 1363 socket-outlets are
capable of continuous operation under the test conditions described
above, the small sample size and the limited testing duration and
repetition must be taken into account when considering the results.
In addition to the laboratory investigations, the ESC formally
requested a response from the British Standard Technical Committee
responsible for the safety and performance of UK socket-outlets
regarding the use a BS 1363 plug and socket-outlets for the
application of vehicle charging, and their suitability for 13 A
continuous loads.
Also, the British Electrotechnical and Allied Manufacturers Association
(BEAMA), representing over 300 manufacturing companies in the
electrotechnical sector, has declared that BS 1363 plug and socket-
outlets manufactured by its members comply fully with their
standards and are suitable for 13A continuous loads, within the scope
of the standard BS 1363.
A copy of the laboratory test report is available to view in the
‘business and community’ section of the Council’s website
www.esc.org.uk
Electric vehicles – making the right connection
Have you everbeen asked...
A question sometimes discussed on electrical installation
forums is: when does an electrician really need to use
insulated hand tools?
Regulation 14 of the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (EWR)
states that:
No person shall be engaged in any work activity on or so near any
live conductor (other than one suitably covered with insulating
material so as to prevent danger) that danger may arise unless –
(a) it is unreasonable in all the circumstances for it to be dead; and
(b) it is reasonable in all the circumstances for him to be at work on
or near it while it is live; and
(c) suitable precautions (including where necessary the provision of
suitable protective equipment) are taken to prevent injury.
Although the above regulation permits work on or near live
conductors, this is only the case where all three conditions (a) and
(b) and (c) above are satisfied. Guidance on and about the
conditions can be found in the Memorandum of guidance on the
Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 (HSR25), downloadable free at
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/books/hsr25.htm.
Most types of electrical work should not be carried out on or near
live conductors. If danger may otherwise arise, the conductors
should be made dead, and proved to be so, before any work on or
near them commences. Furthermore, adequate precautions (such
as locking off the means of isolation and placing of notices) should
be taken to prevent the conductors from becoming electrically
charged during the work, if danger may thereby arise (EWR
regulation 13 refers).
EWR regulation 14 recognises that there are circumstances where it
is unreasonable, having regard to all relevant factors, for the
equipment to be dead while work proceeds. Examples of work on
electrical installations where regulation 14 often applies include
electrical testing to establish whether electrical conductors are live
or dead, or to establish whether the polarity of the incoming supply
to an installation is correct or incorrect, or to measure the earth
fault loop impedance or the prospective fault current at the origin of
an installation.
Working on or near live conductors should be the exception, not
the rule.
There is nothing wrong with using insulated hand tools where this is
not necessary for safety, such as when working on a circuit known
and proven to be dead. But if an electrician finds himself or herself
thinking of using an insulated hand tool as a precaution against
injury in connection with working on or near a live conductor, he or
she should think again. The use of insulated hand tools, like any
other precaution intended to prevent injury, cannot alone make it
permissible to work on or near live conductors. As already stated,
such work is permitted only where all three conditions (a) and (b)
and (c) of regulation 14 are satisfied.
Where insulated hand tools are to be relied on as protective
equipment for the purposes of condition (c), they should meet the
requirements of BS EN 60900: 2004 – Live working. Hand tools for use
up to 1000 V a.c. and 1500 V d.c., be free from damage, deterioration
or modification that may result in danger, and be suitable for the
work concerned.
Depending on the circumstances, other protective equipment,
including protective clothing, may be required.
Further guidance about protective equipment and other precautions
can be found in Electricity at work, safe working practices (HSG85),
downloadable free at www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg85.pdf.
This publication also covers deciding whether to work live or dead.
when is it really necessary to useinsulated hand tools ?
SwitchedOn Issue 19 - Winter 2010 17
technical
18 SwitchedOn Issue 19 - Winter 2010
technical
In some cases it is not appropriate to size thermosettinginsulated cables on their full 90 °C current ratings.
Cables having thermosetting insulation, such as cross-linkedpolyethylene (XLPE), are capable of being operated with a maximumconductor temperature of 90 °C in normal service. This gives them ahigher current-carrying capacity than 70 °C thermoplastic (PVC)insulated cables of similar construction and conductor size.
However, conductors intended to operate at a temperature exceeding70 °C in normal service must not be connected to switchgear,protective devices, accessories or other types of equipment unless theequipment manufacturer has confirmed that the equipment is suitablefor such conditions (Regulation 512.1.2 of BS 7671 refers). Where, as isoften the case, the equipment is not suitable for these conditions, thecurrent-carrying capacity of the conductors should be based on thatgiven in the relevant table in Appendix 4 of BS 7671 for 70 °Cthermoplastic insulated cables of similar construction.
Also, where non-sheathed or sheathed cables having differentmaximum operating temperatures (such as 90 °C thermosettinginsulated cables and 70 °C thermoplastic insulated cables) are groupedtogether, the current-carrying capacity of all the cables in the groupmust be based on the lowest maximum operating temperature of anycable in the group (Regulation 523.5 refers).
Table 1 of this article gives assistance in finding the appropriate table ofcurrent-carrying capacity in Appendix 4 of BS 7671 where it isnecessary to use a thermosetting insulated cable so that its conductoroperating temperature will not exceed 70 °C in normal service. Thetable covers cables with copper conductors only.
Worked exampleProblemA single-phase radial circuit of two-core non-armoured, sheathedthermosetting insulated cables to BS 7211, installed clipped direct, isrequired to carry a current of 30 A continuously or for long periods.
(1) Find the minimum conductor size required if the conductors areto operate at a temperature not exceeding 70 °C in normalservice, based on the following assumptions.
• The circuit length is such that voltage drop need not beconsidered
• The circuit is not grouped with any other loaded conductors(grouping rating factor, Cg = 1)
• The ambient temperature will not exceed 30 °C (ambienttemperature rating factor, Ca = 1)
• The conductors are not installed in thermal insulation(thermal insulation rating factor, Ci = 1)
(2) Also, based on the same assumptions as in (1) above, find theminimum required conductor size if the conductors are permittedto operate at a temperature of up to 90 °C.
Worked exampleSolution(1) To carry a current of 30 A continuously or for long periods, the
circuit cable must have a current-carrying capacity of not less than30 A. As indicated in the third paragraph of section 5 of BS 7671Appendix 4, the current-carrying capacity (Iz) of a cable is given bythe formula:
Iz = It x Ca x Cg x Ci
Therefore, the minimum acceptable tabulated current-carryingcapacity (It) is given by:
Iz
It >_ -------------------------------------Ca x Ci x Cc
So that,
30It >_ ------------------------------- = 30 A
1 x 1 x 1
From Table 1 of this article, tabulated current-carrying capacitiesfor multicore non-armoured cables to BS 7211 operated at aconductor temperature of 70 °C are given in Table 4D2A ofBS 7671 Appendix 4.
From column 6 of Table 4D2A, the smallest size of two-corecable giving a tabulated current-carrying capacity (It) of notless than 30 A when clipped direct is 4 mm2 (tabulated current-carrying capacity 36 A).
The minimum required conductor size such that the conductoroperating temperature will not exceed 70 °C is therefore4 mm2. (Answer)
(2) As shown in column 1 of Table 1 of this article, tabulated current-carrying capacities for multicore non-armoured cables to BS 7211where the conductor temperature is not to exceed 90 °C are givenin Table 4E2A of BS 7671 Appendix 4.
From column 6 of Table 4E2A, the smallest size of two-core cablegiving a tabulated current-carrying capacity of not less than 30 Awhen clipped direct is 2.5 mm2 (tabulated current-carryingcapacity 33 A).
The minimum required conductor size such that the conductoroperating temperature will not exceed 90 °C is therefore 2.5 mm2.(Answer)
However, this size of cable would be too small if the operatingtemperature of the conductors was required not to exceed 70 °Cin normal service.
Incorrect use of thermosetting insulatedcables at 90 °C current ratings
Note
In all cases, to protect the cable against overload current, the co-ordination requirements of Regulation 433.1.1 must be complied with.For example, if the circuit protective device is a circuit-breaker or fuse ofa type listed in Regulation 433.1.2, its rated current or setting (In ) mustnot exceed the actual current-carrying capacity of the cable, given by
the formula Iz = It x Ca x Cg x Ci , which is 36 A for answer (1) above and33 A for answer (2). If the protective device is a semi-enclosed fuse toBS 3036, or if the cable is laid in the ground and its tabulated current-carrying capacity is based on an ambient temperature of 20 °C, therequirements of Regulations 433.1.3 and 433.1.4, respectively, also apply.
SwitchedOn Issue 19 - Winter 2010 19
technical
Table 1 – List of current-carrying capacity tables in BS 7671 Appendix 4 for operation of thermosetting insulated cables at a conductortemperature not exceeding 70 °C
20
ESC WORKING WITH INTERNATIONAL PRODUCTSAFETY PROFESSIONALS
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download from the ‘Business & Community’ section of our website.BACK ISSUES OF SWITCHED ON
The Electrical Safety Council was
delighted to work in association with
the International Consumer Product
Health and Safety Organisation (ICPHSO)
to bring its seventh international meeting
and training symposium to London.
The symposium was held at the Sheraton
Park Lane Hotel from 29-30 November
2010 and was attended by an
international delegation with keynote
speakers, including the UK’s Parliamentary
Secretary for Business, Innovation and
Skills, Baroness Judith Wilcox, the Director
for Consumer Policy in the Health and
Consumers Directorate of the European
Commission, Jacqueline Minor and
representatives from the EU. In addition,
product safety experts from North
America, the Asian Pacific, and EU
countries were present – 120 in total.
The theme of the event Evolution of product
safety in the EU and beyond: the threats it
faces and its adaptability to the ever-
increasing supply chain served well to unite
the product safety community to discuss
and formulate ideas on how to build on
the successes achieved over the last 20
years. The general outcome from the open
discussions was that, while improvements
in product safety continue to be made in
individual countries and continents, radical
successes will only come from further
improvements in co-ordination and co-
operation between countries to work
together in a truly global way.
Throughout the two days of presentations
and discussions many aspects of product
safety issues and opportunities were
explored, including topics focusing on:
• Product safety in the EU – progress
over the past 20 years
• Risk communication, product
traceability, recall effectiveness, and
information exchange
• Tackling counterfeit products
• Market surveillance – trends and
developments
• Injury databases and other indicative
factors of unsafe products.
The symposium provided a unique
opportunity to exchange views and
debate with stakeholders, regulators and
enforcers from UK, USA, EU, Canada, China,
Japan, Korea and Australia, as well as with
retailers, manufacturers and others in the
product supply chain.
The Electrical Safety Council led the
plenary session on counterfeiting and
gave well-received presentations on injury
databases and application of EU policy
and regulation for electrical products.
The conference was a fantastic
opportunity for the Council to position
itself as a leader in the product safety
arena and led to establishing many
relationships that will enable it to take
the product safety agenda forward
during the coming years.
Attending the international conference from left to right:
Stephen Russell, ANEC; Lina Wilsson Berquist, IKEA; Wayne Morris, AHAM; Marc Schoem, CPSC;
Phil Buckle, ESC; and Ron Gainsford, TSI.