switched on issue 20

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 [email protected]

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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technical

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features

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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: [email protected]

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


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


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:[email protected]

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


news


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


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.


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

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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


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


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


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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Plymouth

Manchester

EdinburghGlasgow

Belfast

Inverness

Newcastle

LeedsBlackpool

Aberdeen

Liverpool

Bristol

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


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 ([email protected].)

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

All the previous issues of Switched On are available to read or

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.

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