An essential reference guide to the European F-gas regulations has now received an update. 

The F-Gas Reference Manual, first published last year, has now been updated with a second edition.

The manual provides extensive explanations of the F-gas regulation (517/2014) and its requirements, and has been written specifically to support those wishing to prove competency and undertake an F-gas assessment

Published by UK training agency Business Edge, this comprehensive 300-page manual was created in line with the EU 2015/2067 syllabus. It includes forewords by Didier Coulomb, director general of the International Institute of Refrigeration and Marco Buoni, president of European contractors group AREA

Split into four sections, it covers refrigerant properties and their environmental impact, legislation and regulations, refrigeration theory and components and coverage of related European standards with guidance notes.

The manual covers all of the theoretical information required by the regulation as well as step-by-step guides on refrigerant recovery and component replacement, pipework and brazing, evacuation and de-hydration, refrigerant charging and leak detection.

The publication is available to purchase via the Business Edge website or from Amazon. It is priced at £40.00.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/f-gas-reference-manual-gets-an-update/

At Technique Learning Solutions, people often approach us who want to become electricians but are confused exactly what they need to do to become ‘qualified’. We understand that it can be a bit tricky trying to negotiate your way through the minefield that is Electrical Qualifications which is why we have developed the below overview to break it down for you.

1. Entry requirements

In the UK, You’ll need a level 3 electrical or electro-technical qualification to undertake electrical work. This can be a combination of qualifications from different awarding bodies.

Technique Learning Solutions courses all meet the entry requirements for the Industry.

(As of 2018, it will be law that any installations must follow the 18^th Edition Wiring Regulations)

2. Skills required

-You’ll need:

-Practical skills

-The ability to follow technical drawings, building plans and wiring diagrams

-The ability to work carefully, methodically and safely

-Planning and organisational skills

-Problem-solving skills

Don’t worry if you don’t already have the above, nobody is expected to be an expert on their first day. These skills are often learned over time and some people even specialise in the areas the feel most confident with. Most importantly, you need to be competent in the tasks you undertake. Competence is usually gained with experience and formal training.

3. What you’ll do

You’ll work in range of areas, from bringing power to people’s homes to big engineering projects. You may also work with renewable technology, like wind turbines, ‘smart’ heating systems and solar power.

The field of electrics is already huge and is only predicted to grow.

Your work will depend on the type of electrician you are:

installation electrician – installing power systems, lighting, fire protection, security and data-network systems in all types of buildings

maintenance electrician – checking systems to make sure they’re working efficiently and safely

electrotechnical panel builder – making and installing control panels to operate the electrical systems inside buildings

machine repair and rewind electrician – fixing and maintaining electrical motors and transformers

highway systems electrician – installing and maintaining street lighting and traffic management systems

You may also supervise other people in a team.

4. Salary

Starter: £18,000 to £23,000

Experienced: £25,000 to £35,000

Highly Experienced: Up to £42,000

You could get bonuses and overtime pay. There are national rates for travelling time, travel expenses and accommodation costs.

(These figures can vary depending on geographical location)

These figures are also a guide and aren’t definitive.

5. Working hours, patterns and environment

You’ll usually work 30 to 40 hours, Monday to Friday. You may work shifts or be on call.

Some Electricians may have to travel between jobs and work away from home.

You may have to work around other trades. You may have to work in all weathers, in cramped spaces or at height.

6. Career path and progression

With experience, you could move into design engineering, site or project management, consultancy work or training.

Another very popular option is to set up your own business.

This article has only just begun to scratch the surface the career you could have as an Electrician, but we hope it has given you an insight into what it might be like.

If you would like more information, have any questions that you would like to ask or simply to discuss your pathway into a new career, please call us on 01246802222 and we will be happy to help.

Irrespective of the distributor’s responsibility, it is up to the electrical installer, acting on behalf of the consumer, to ensure that the earthing connection is suitable for the requirements of the electrical installation and that it is properly connected to the earthing conductor of the installation.

A question often asked of Certsure’s helpline is; “who is responsible for providing a means of earthing for an electrical installation”. In short, it is the consumer’s responsibility to ensure that the electrical installation is correctly earthed.

This is because, in order to receive a supply of electricity, the consumer is required to have an installation meeting the safety requirements of Regulations 25(1) and 25(2) of The Electricity Safety, Quality and Continuity Regulations 2002 (ESQCR).

These requirements are to ensure that the installation is constructed, installed, protected and used (or arranged for use) so as to prevent, as far as is reasonably practicable, danger or interference with the distributor’s network or with supplies to others. Compliance with the requirements of BS 7671 is likely to give compliance with the safety requirements of Regulations 25(1) and 25(2).

In practice, it is the electrical installer, acting on behalf of the consumer, who ensures that the electrical installation is correctly earthed before it is put into service (or returned to service).

Distributor’s obligation to offer an earthing connection

When providing a new or replacement low voltage supply connection to an installation, a distributor has a general obligation under Regulation 24(4) of the ESQCR to make available for connection to the earthing conductor of the installation a PEN (combined neutral and protective) conductor or, if appropriate, the protective conductor of their network.

However, there is an exception to this obligation where this would be inappropriate for safety reasons, such as may be the case for a petrol filling station. Furthermore, a distributor is not permitted to make available their PEN conductor for connection to the earthing conductor of a caravan or boat, as this is prohibited by Regulation 9(4). To assist electrical installers, some distributors publish notes of guidance advising on situations where an earthing connection will not be made available.

A distributor is not obliged to make an earthing connection available for an existing installation where the supply connection is not being replaced, but may be willing to do so.

Where an earthing connection is provided by the distributor, the distributor is responsible for ensuring that this connection (that is, any earthing terminal provided by the distributor and the connection to the network) is installed and, so far as is reasonably practicable, maintained so as to prevent danger, and is suitable for the purpose. (Regulation 24(1) of the ESQCR refers.)

Irrespective of the distributor’s responsibility, it is up to the electrical installer, acting on behalf of the consumer, to ensure that the earthing connection is suitable for the requirements of the electrical installation and that it is properly connected to the earthing conductor of the installation.

Basis for design

For either a new installation or an alteration or addition to an existing installation, it is important to establish at an early stage of the design whether or not a distributor’s earthing connection for the installation will be available at the service position.

For safety reasons, the effectiveness of any existing earthing connection should always be verified by inspection and by measurement of the external earth fault loop impedance (Z_e). A safe method of measuring (Z_e) is explained in the NICEIC publication; Inspection, Testing and Certification.

For all installations, it is important to establish the type of earthing arrangement (TN-S, TN-C-S or TT – see Fig 1), and therefore how the earthing connection will be made to the earthing conductor of the installation. For example, in a TN-C-S system where protective multiple earthing (PME) is provided, the earthing conductor has to be connected to the supply PEN conductor, made available by the distributor.

Where NO earthing connection is available at the service position

Where no distributor’s earthing connection for the installation is available at the service position, and the distributor cannot or will not make one available, the installation will need to be connected with Earth by means of an electrically independent installation earth electrode (Regulation 542.1.2.3 of BS 7671 refers).

In such circumstances, the requirements applicable to a TT system will have to be met. This will include the installation of RCDs in virtually all cases to provide for automatic disconnection of supply in the event of an earth fault. The RCDs are necessary due to the generally high value of external earth fault loop impedance (Z_e) via the installation earth electrode, compared with that usually available in a TN system via an earthing connection provided by the distributor.

The types of earth electrode permitted by BS 7671 for an installation forming part of a TT system are listed in Regulation 542.2.3.

A metallic pipe used to supply a gas or a flammable liquid must not be used as an earth electrode, and neither may a metallic pipe of a water utility supply. However, this does not preclude the bonding of such metalwork where required by Section 411 of BS 7671.

Other metallic water supply pipework (such as that attached to an underground well on private land) may be used as an earth electrode, provided precautions are taken against removal, and the pipework has been considered suitable for such a use.

‘Cable sheath’ earthing

Where ‘cable-sheath’ earthing is provided (TN-S system), the earthing connection to the distributor’s metallic cable sheath or armour is made by the distributor, generally prior to the electricity metering equipment being installed. However, there are occasions where such an earthing connection has not been made and no distributor’s earthing terminal is available for the installation.

Where this is the case, an electrical installer should not, under any circumstances, attempt to clamp, weld (or similar), or in any other way connect the consumer’s earthing conductor to the distributor’s metallic cable sheath or armour. The supply cable is the distributor’s property and the installer is not authorised to interfere with it.

Any attempt by the installer to make a connection to the metallic cable sheath or armour could result in creating an internal fault between the conductors of the cable or between the metallic sheath (or armour) and one or more internal conductors.

Source: https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/responsibility-earthing-electrical

The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has called for a worldwide ban on disposable, non-refillable refrigerant cylinders.

In a new report published on the eve of the 30th Montreal Protocol meeting in Ecuador, the EIA has called for a worldwide ban on non-refillable cylinders – the container of choice for refrigerant smugglers.

The report – Tip of the Iceberg: Implications of Illegal CFC Production and Use – cites the illegal trade in HFCs in Europe, where they are, supposedly, banned, as well as continued ODS illegal trade worldwide.

“The vast majority of known ODS smuggling cases are facilitated by the use of disposable cylinders (sometimes referred to a “non-refillable containers”), as their disposable nature means they can be freely traded,” the report states.

In addition to the ban in the EU, which entered into force in 2007, these cylinders are also banned in Canada, India and Australia. “However, disposable refrigerant cylinders are still in wide use elsewhere in the world and the European market has recently been flooded with illegal HFCs in disposable cylinders,” says the EIA.

Aside from the additional waste management issues that disposable cylinders create, the EIA points out that there is always a residual quantity of refrigerant, or “heel”, being emitted to the atmosphere as they must be cut or punctured before entering the waste stream.

If the cylinders do not enter the formal waste stream the heel remains until the container degrades and is ultimately released. The EIA quotes the 2010 RTOC assessment that the vapour heel represents about 3% of refrigerant charge, and the liquid heel represents between 5 and 8%.

Instances of the illegal trade in disposable cylinders in Europe has been widely reported by the Cooling Post in recent months. This heightened activity, which the European governments and customs authorities seem unable to stop, has been brought on by huge increases in HFC prices, and pressures on supply, as a result of the European F-gas phase down. There are genuine fears that unless lessons are learned from the European experience, the worldwide phase down, which kicks in next year under the Kigali Amendment, will create illegal activity on a massive scale.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/eia-calls-for-global-ban-on-disposables/

NICEIC believes any regulation should not place an extra financial burden on electricians already working in the sector

On Thursday (October 25) Conservative MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston  led a debate in Holyrood calling on members of Scottish parliament to bring in tougher regulations within the industry which would help drive out rogue electricians.

NICEIC supports the move, but believes any regulation should not place an extra financial burden on electricians already working in the sector. It has called on the Scottish government to consult with the entire electrical industry before bringing in any new regulation.

Emma Clancy, CEO of NICEIC, said: “NICEIC is always supportive of any moves that strengthen standards and help those who operate legally and responsibly.

“Any regulation that may be introduced needs to be carefully thought through to ensure that it can deliver what it promises without increasing costs for all concerned and reducing the current consumer protections that are in place.”

NICEIC currently certifies around 45% of Scottish electrical contractors. These are contractors whose work is assessed annually to ensure continued competence. All electrical work carried out by NICEIC registered contractors’ also comes with a warranty-backed guarantee to protect consumers should anything go wrong.

NICEIC believe these key aspects need to be safeguarded and that any new framework should:

• require regular assessment of skills, knowledge and experience as the best indication of competence;
• ensure that electricians keep up with changes to regulations;
• retain regular assessment by an independent third-party;
• be transparent, affordable and accessible to minimise incentives to operate outside the regulatory regime.

Emma added: “We would like to thank Mr Halcro Johnston for meeting with us recently to discuss the best way forward and we want to work closely with the government to ensure that any new regulatory regime does not penalise those ado the opposite of what it intends by leading to an increase in rogue electricians.”

Source: https://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/niceic-backs-calls-drive-out-rogue

ARC expects artificial intelligence to move to the controller level and even below, enabling truly distributed intelligence. 

Source: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/3995304

A group of Italian refrigeration contractors is taking online retailer Amazon to court for continuing to sell HFC refrigerant without requiring buyers to be F-gas certified.

With the European Commission, EU member governments and authorities across Europe failing to act to stem the flagrant abuses of the F-gas regulations, 18 member companies of Italy’s CNA, the National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises, have started their own action by taking Amazon to court for illegal F-gas sales.

The plaintiffs claim unfair competition and are asking the Court of Rome, as a matter of urgency, to force Amazon to stop selling F-gas to buyers without the necessary certification. The first hearing has been scheduled for October 11.

The CNA first raised concerns over the issue two years ago, which highlighted how the lack of controls created serious problems of credibility with companies regarding the whole F-gas system.

In March, a presenter on a popular Italian tv station exposed the ease with which anyone without the necessary F-gas qualifications could purchase refrigerant by obtaining an 800g bottle of R410A cylinder from Amazon.

CNA claims that it carried out similar tests, managing to purchase two cylinders of refrigerant from two different sellers through Amazon, one Italian and one German, both without any controls or questions asked by either the sellers or Amazon.

The plaintiffs point to the fact that the F-gas regulation (517/2014) clearly specifies that fluorinated greenhouse gases can only be sold to people and companies in possession of F-gas certification.

In a statement, the CNA says: “Operating in the F-gas sector without having securities and selling to subjects without license in violation of the legislation represents a clear act of unfair competition and determines the possibility of creating a market of suppliers who, in turn, compete illegally with companies regularly certified without any title, thus fuelling an illicit market in the F-gas.”

It adds: “This is an act of unfair competition that risks creating two parallel markets: next to the legitimate one of the qualified operators, another of subjects without the necessary certification. A practice that the applicant companies and the CNA ask to stop as soon as possible to bring the sector back to full legality.”

The Cooling Post has been exposing the widespread abuse of the F-gas system and the authorities’ seeming inability or unwillingness to act. Sales to non-F-gas-certified people is clearly happening on numerous online classified and auction sites across Europe. As prices have risen due to the phase-down, the European market has been witnessing a huge influx of illegal refrigerant, much of it being sold in banned disposable cylinders, with suspected issues of quota busting and incidences of large-scale theft.

Source: https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/amazon-in-court-over-illegal-f-gas-sales/