What are the recommendations for emergency lighting in non-domestic premises?
Wednesday, 01 August 2018
This article reviews the recommendations of the emergency lighting standard BS 5266-1: 2016 for the provision of emergency lighting in escape routes, open areas and other locations. As a result of a number of legislative requirements such as those relating to health & safety, fire and building regulations some form of emergency lighting will normally be required
- Published in Electrical
No Comments
What are the installation requirements for electric fence controllers?
Tuesday, 19 June 2018
This article explains the installation requirements for electric fence controllers (or ‘energisers’ as they are commonly called) to meet the requirements of BS EN 60335-2-76 – Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety: Particular requirements for electric fence energisers, which are referred to in the note at the end of Regulation 705.1 in BS 7671. This article
- Published in Electrical
Never the same loop impedance twice
Friday, 04 May 2018
A common complaint about earth loop impedance testing is that if several tests are carried out on the same circuit, it often happens that each test gives a different result. Why is this and what can be done about it? Earth loop impedance testing is, without doubt, the topic that generates the largest number of calls
- Published in Electrical
What does mass urbanisation mean for electrical fire safety?
Tuesday, 01 May 2018
Over the past few decades, we’ve witnessed an incredible increase in the world’s population – and it’s likely to continue to grow at a rapid pace. According to the World Popular Prospect report by the United Nations, the world’s population is projected to increase by slightly more than one billion people over the next 13 years, reaching
- Published in Electrical
How is ADS achieved in a domestic premises?
Friday, 13 April 2018
The protective measure Automatic Disconnection of Supply (ADS) is used in most electrical installations to provide protection against electric shock. This article provides an overview of how ADS is achieved in a typical domestic premises. The general requirements for ADS consist of provisions for basic and fault protection, which are considered as follows (Regulation 411.1
- Published in Electrical
Guide: Replacing a Consumer Unit
Thursday, 05 April 2018
Consumer units (CU) are replaced for various reasons. This includes replacement where the existing unit does not meet the requirements of BS 7671, for example, where there is no RCD protection. Or there may be no spare capacity in the existing consumer unit to connect additional circuits. Or, it may be that replacing the unit has
- Published in Electrical
Heights of electrical equipment in dwellings
Friday, 09 March 2018
This article will consider the various requirements relating to the mounting heights of electrical equipment in dwellings. The aim of this article is to explain the requirements of BS 7671, Part M of the Building Regulations for England and Wales and BS 8300: 2009 (Design of buildings and their approaches to meet the needs of disabled people) relating
- Published in Electrical
Emergency Lighting: UPS or CBU?
Tuesday, 06 March 2018
Voltimum interviews ABB Emergi-Lite’s Jenny Paramore about a growing trend for contractors to install a UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) instead of a static inverter, also known as a Central Battery Unit (CBU). While the two types of unit are similar, there are important differences that mean a UPS may not deliver power in an emergency.
- Published in Electrical
The challenge of nailing IT security in an OT World
Wednesday, 28 February 2018
The Internet of Things (IoT) might be a current hot topic in technology circles, yet linking electronic devices to improve efficiency and automate processes is not exactly a new concept. Decades before the IoT concept was conceived, industrial automation projects were underway everywhere from factories and oil refineries to electricity generation plants and distribution grids.
- Published in Electrical
Technical Guide: Cables installed in suspended ceilings
Tuesday, 13 February 2018
This article will take a closer look at the regulations and requirements associated with installing cables in suspended ceilings. Suspended ceilings are often provided in commercial and similar premises. They generally consist of a grid of light metal bars, usually having an inverted ‘T’ section, into which ceiling tiles, recessed luminaires (light fittings) and ventilation
- Published in Electrical