The Importance and Benefits of Portable Testing
Thursday, 31 August 2017
A Portable Appliance Tester (PAT) is an instrument that is dedicated solely to the safety testing of portable electrical equipment in accordance with recognized national and local standards. Depending on locale, these standards may have been enacted into law. They may be requirements of specific industries or trade organizations, or just a good idea. In
- Published in Electrical
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Cables and the 18th Edition
Tuesday, 08 August 2017
The 18th Edition of the Wiring Regulations, aka BS 7671:2018, is now available as a Draft for Public Comment on the British Standards Institution’s website. The draft is an opportunity to see the proposed content of the revised wiring regulations ahead of publication and to have your say about the changes. One of the proposals
- Published in Electrical
Selectivity and backup protection: What’s the difference?
Friday, 04 August 2017
What is the difference between discrimination and backup protection? This is a question that has troubled some. The fact that, ‘selectivity’ is now the preferred word for discrimination and that back-up protection is also called, ‘cascading’ doesn’t help. Add related terms like, ‘pre-arcing energy’ and ‘energy let-through’ and it’s not difficult to understand the potential
- Published in Electrical
2391-52 Inspection & Testing of Electrical Installations
Monday, 03 July 2017
From July 2017, the City & Guilds 2391 qualification will be re-introduced to the electrical industry. It will be divided into the following: City & Guilds 2391-50 – Initial Verification. This is intended for learners who wish to verify new installations and perhaps never need to carry out Periodic Inspection & Testing. City & Guilds
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Understanding Signal and Power Isolation Techniques
Friday, 19 May 2017
Electronic isolation is a means of preventing the transfer of direct current (dc) and unwanted alternating current (ac) between two parts of a system while still enabling signal and power transfer between those two parts. This kind of isolation is required in a number of instances, such as: Protecting industrial operators from high voltage. Protecting
- Published in Electrical
PAT Testing Essentials – Safety
Monday, 08 May 2017
Everywhere we look in our everyday lives, from our bench to our bedroom, there are the ubiquitous electrical cords of mains-powered appliances. We don’t give our electrical devices a second thought, but in addition to their primary purpose they all perform the function of keeping us safe from the dangerous mains voltages delivered from our wall
- Published in Electrical
Practice guide for wiring accessory replacement
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
When it comes to wiring accessory replacement, a number of questions are often raised regarding the competence of those doing the task as well as the necessary testing required once the job is complete. This technical bulletin, written by Richard Giddings, ECA Technical Manager, addresses these questions and provides some best practice guidance that can be
- Published in Electrical
Circuit protection has never been so important
Wednesday, 15 March 2017
Our homes are changing with more and more connected and networked devices putting pressure on existing domestic electrical systems. Deepak Sharad, from Schneider Electric, reflects on how effective circuit protection is more important than it has ever been before. The rise of the Internet of Things (IoT) promises a brave new world of connected devices
- Published in Electrical
Appropriate use of Minor Works Certificates
Thursday, 16 February 2017
The technical experts at NICEIC have created this guide to the appropriate use Minor Works Certificates. Where an addition or alteration is made to an existing final circuit, as shown in Fig 1, it should be verified that the work complies with BS 7671 and does not impair the safety of the existing installation (Regulation
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Electrical safety checks must be risk based
Wednesday, 08 February 2017
Government plans to introduce mandatory electrical safety checks in PRS homes are being backed by the RLA – however the body says tests must be risk based. The association agrees compulsory checks of the fixed wiring are necessary due to the wide range of homes and standards within the private rented sector and on this
- Published in Electrical