Oxford trials ‘pop-up’ EV charge points
Tuesday, 10 December 2019
Oxford is trialling six pop-up electric vehicle (EV) charge points for residents who have no off-street parking. The ‘UEone’ charge points are app-operated and retract underground when not in use in order to reduce street clutter. The trial will finish in February 2020. Principal contractor Oxford Direct Services (ODS) has been involved since 2018 in
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Mitsubishi launches ‘smallest, most compact’ programmable logic controller
Monday, 09 December 2019
Mitsubishi Electric has released the company’s smallest and most powerful compact programmable logic controller to date – the FX5UC series Premium Micro PLC. The company says the new PLC’s diminutive size is set to help machine builders and manufacturers pack “ever more functionality into a smaller space”, while also providing the web access and network connectivity
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IET announces new amendment to BS 7671 (IET Wiring Regulations)
Tuesday, 03 December 2019
The amendment follows advances in technology enabling a more practical solution for electric vehicle charging installations The IET has announced a new amendment to BS 7671:2018 (IET Wiring Regulations 18th Edition). The national Wiring Regulations committee, JPEL/64, today agreed the publication of Amendment 1, which will consist of a stand-alone update to Section 722: Electric
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Flammable-Refrigerant Standards Should Reflect Current Data
Thursday, 28 November 2019
The EU LIFE FRONT project’s new databases shed light on safe handling of hydrocarbons, helping to remove barriers to adoption. Safety standards for A3 (flammable) refrigerants in refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump (RACHP) systems need to be adequately updated and improved to take into account technology innovation as well as new applications and data, said Dr.
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Electrical trade body raises the alarm on new fire and smoke detector regulations
Wednesday, 20 November 2019
A campaign to raise public awareness of new safety regulations affecting all homes has been launched by SELECT, Scotland’s leading trade body for the electrical industry. Under the new laws, every residence throughout the country must have an interlinked warning system for smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detection by 1 February 2021. To help comply with the
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World-first study leads to refrigerants safety guide
Tuesday, 19 November 2019
A new guide on how to work safely on vehicles where it is known or suspected that flammable refrigerants may be present is now available for free download. The document is the result of a ground-breaking project between Refrigerant Reclaim Australia, automotive thermal and electrical trade association VASA and GHD Engineering, to study the management
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Siemens PLC Feature Can Be Exploited for Evil – and for Good
Thursday, 14 November 2019
A hidden feature in some newer models of the vendor’s programmable logic controllers leaves the devices open to attack. Siemens says it plans to fix it. An undocumented access feature in some newer models of Siemens programmable logic controllers (PLCs) can be used as both a weapon by attackers as well as a forensic tool
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Electrician earnings reach all-time high
Thursday, 07 November 2019
Earnings for self-employed electricians rose by 5.8% last month to hit the highest level on record, according to data released by payroll firm Hudson Contract. Analysis of October payroll data for more than 2,200 construction companies in England and Wales reveals a weekly average of £1,165 for electrical contractors. This is the highest figure since
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IPAF published guide for MEWPs
Thursday, 07 November 2019
IPAF has issued professional advice to help companies and individuals planning to use, demonstrate or display mobile elevating work platforms (MEWPs) at an exhibition, trade fair or other such event. IPAF said, “These shows can present a challenging environment in which to operate a MEWP. Special consideration is required when displaying or demonstrating at such
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