Govt’s Cable Plan Sparks Safety Fears ⚠️

Coming up on this week's news, the government says  electricians should be able to cut the pavement to   install EV charging cables, but the announcement  is putting it on a collision course with councils.   Electrical contractors in the union agree an  inflation busting pay deal, and the NICEIC   says that landlords and their installers need to  urgently check the status of their EICRs. Welcome  

to Electrical News Weekly. Whether you're  listening in the van on site or down at the   wholesale counter, I'm Joe Robinson, and I've been  through the best of the electrical industry news   to save you the trouble. And if you think you've  spotted the two words that I've been challenged   to slip into this week's show, comment with them  below for the chance to win a prize. Dig, baby,  

dig. That's the message from the government to  the trade this week. It wants electricians to be   able to install gullies for EV charging cables in  public pavements, and the Department of Transport   is backing up its plan with 25 million pounds  in cash. It says drivers in urban areas without   driveways should be able to power up their  vehicles. Officials say that there are over 9   million households without an off- street parking 

space, making them reliant on public chargers. But   the idea looks set to put the government on a  collision course with local authorities. That's   because some councils are worried about the  electrocution risk from on street EV charging.   Last year, leading electrical experts and council  engineers revealed to us their fears about the  

increased dangers for pedestrians. The alarm  stems from the possibility of simultaneous contact   between the body of electric vehicles and another  vehicle or a piece of street furniture such as a   metal lamp post or telecomm's cabinet. Unless the  two items are connected to the same distribution   systems, there's a prospect of a fault of a high 

potential difference between them. Consultant,   engineer, and chairman of the IET wiring  regulations policy committee, Graham Kenyon,   pointed out to us at the time that under the IET's  code of practice for electric vehicle charging   equipment installation, electricians should carry  out a simultaneous contact assessment before   starting an install. Guidance on EV charging  from the electrical contractors association   also emphasises the need for such an appraisal. 

If you can touch any other electrical equipment   at the same time as the electric vehicle, you need  to ensure that it's connected to the same earthing   system. But the problem is it's often impossible  to tell. Additionally, with on street parking,   it's difficult to guarantee that another vehicle  connected to a different electrical system won't   be parked next to the first one. And under  the guidance, if you don't know, in theory,  

you can't proceed with the installation. That's  the reason that some local authorities have been   saying no to cross pavement charging systems. The  apparent contradiction between the IET guidance   and the government's plea for more on street  charging has yet to be resolved. Still on safety,  

the NICEIC is urging landlords and their  contractors in England to urgently review   the status of their electrical installation  condition reports. That's because it's now 5   years since the introduction of mandatory tests  for private rented properties. The law requires   landlords to have installations inspected and  tested at least every 5 years by a qualified and   competent person. With the fifth anniversary now 

here, many will be due for renewal. A valid cert   must be provided to new tenants when they move  in and to existing tenants within 28 days of an   inspection. Last month, the government announced  that electrical testing would become compulsory in   social homes from November. Local authorities and  housing associations in England must now conduct   tests with qualified and competent persons at  least once every 5 years. This brings the sector   into line with private rented accommodation. 

Social landlords will be obliged to issue a   copy of the search to tenants within 28 days of  an inspection or to any new tenant before they   occupy the property. They must also complete any  recommended remedial works identified as C1 and C2   or any recommended further investigations  within 28 days. Along with the EICRS,   the government introduced mandatory pat testing  on all electrical appliances that are provided  

by social landlords as part of a tenancy. Earlier  this summer, researchers working for Direct Line   Insurance discovered that one in five private  landlords is unaware that bigger fines have come   in for those without a valid test cert. They also  found out that 8% of landlords don't have a valid   electrical test certificate or aren't sure if  their report is valid. So, if you're a landlord,  

don't be a wally. Get your EICR in order. In other  news, the trade has agreed an inflation busting  

pay deal with the union. Electrical contractors  have hammered out a 4% wage rise with the Unite   Union under the JIB collective agreement. The  3-year deal includes a 3.95% rate rise from 2026,   followed by 4.6% in 2027 and 4.85% in 2028. It  means a technician based in the capital will get   an hourly payment of £26.70 from next year. Weekly  sick pay for sparks will go up by 10 quid to £200   a week. Surely even the most hardened Curmudeons  among you must be pleased to hear that. Now,  

welcome to our electrical news weekly feature  where we focus on a specific product area.   This week we're talking cables and connections.  For instance, Weiland has developed a series of   flat cable systems especially for industrial  applications. These flat cables essentially   work as bus bars which you tap into with special  modules where you need to without dismantling,   cutting or stripping. The power bus podis is  a five conductor tray cable that comes with  

tap off connector modules. These safely pierce  into the conductors where required. You feed   in power with a special module which connects  to a cable of 16 square mm. The max rating is   40 amps and 690 volts AC. You'll find a link to  a full video that Gordon made on this system in   the show notes. The Gesis NRG is a separate system  aimed at dimmable lighting installations. Again,   it's a busbar system with its own feed in and  tap off modules and a whole range of accessories  

and tools. Flex 7 is well known for its modular  pre-fabricated control boxes. They're basically  

plug-and-play and can be wired up in a fraction  of the time of a traditionally wired system. In   terms of controls kit, Flex 7 offers lots of  switches and devices operating at protected   extra low voltage. That means the install is safer  as controls and associated cabling are reduced to   just 5 volts or 12 volts. It also allows for  multiple circuits or even multiple phases to  

be switched at these low voltages too. There's  no need for extra contactors or the potential of   415 volts at devices the general public might be  required to operate. Wall switches for example.   kit includes daylight linking, dimming,  integrated emergency test, corridor hold,   a last man out switch, networking across circuits,  phases, and plug-in switches. What we really like   though is the super small PIR sensor head. It fits 

through a hole with a diameter of just 32 mm. They   measure 40 mil in diameter at their widest, making  them super discreet and unobtrusive. All versions   of the brand's PIR sensor heads are available in  both white and black. They have adjustable timeout   and sensitivity settings and the detection range  can be increased by up to sixfold by adding extra   heads. Sensor heads are available for occupancy  and absence detection as well as with daylight  

linking. Flex 7 also offers surface mount tamper  resistant and IP67 versions. Again, for more   videos on this system and how it works with DaLI,  check out the link in the show notes. You'll also   find a link to their own web page there. Roxtec  makes transits for allowing cables to pass safely   through a barrier such as a wall or bulkhead. An  example is the Lab Seal, a hygienically designed  

and airtight transit that's made in accordance  with good manufacturing practices guidelines.   It has an easy to clean powdercoated aluminium  frame and a smooth surface with drainable edges,   integrated compression units, and hidden mounting  screws. It's aimed at applications in labs and   clean rooms. But Roxtec warns that while the  units are trusted worldwide and easy to install,  

it's critical that they're properly installed. The  company has a whole suite of tools and training   to ensure every installation delivers full  protection. I've put a link to those resources   in the show notes. UK manufacturer Amkabel has  unveiled a copper clad aluminium version of its  

popular flexi shield cable. Flexi Shield is its  original BS8436 cable. Its main feature is the   safety mechanism that activates on penetration  by sharp metal objects. This causes the cable to   safely break at 200 amps under such conditions and  allows for the activation of an MCB up to a 40 amp   type B or up to 20 amp type C, exceeding BS8436  requirements. The cable uses a bonded aluminium   tape for excellent mechanical resistance and  effective reduction of electrical interference.  

It meets the wiring regs for concealed cables  at depth of less than 50 mil, so could be used   for circuits where you want to avoid installing  RCD protection for some reason, but still need to   bury a cable in a wall. A product we're genuinely  impressed with here at eFIXX is the Safe Connect  

Thermo Clip range from Iriss. An innovative  set of cable clips that serve as an early   warning system for overheating conductors. These  thermochromic clips permanently change colour from   purple to pink when the surface temperature of a  cable exceeds 70° C. That's not just a gimmick,   it's a gamechanger for diagnosing thermal issues  before they escalate into dangerous faults.  

Iriss specialises in engineered solutions for  safer and more reliable electrical maintenance,   and the Thermoclip is just one part of their  broader Safe Connect family of products. The   full range includes indicators designed for bus  bars, lugs, compression joints, and hard to access   cables, giving you a complete passive thermal  monitoring system that doesn't require power,  

maintenance, or training to use. Whether you're  dealing with overloaded circuits, loose terminals,   or raging connections, these clips give you a  clear visual cue that something's wrong without   the need for specialist thermal imaging gear.  Ideal for use in panel boards, switch gear,   and junction boxes, the thermoclips and other  safe connect indicators can help prevent downtime,   fires, and costly repairs by flagging hot spots 

early. And the best bit, they're readily available   in the UK, making it easier than ever to integrate  realtime thermal detection into your next   installation or maintenance job. Whether you're  working on new builds, refurbishments, or routine   inspections in high reliability environments like  hospitals, data centres, or industrial plants,   click the link in the show notes to get your hands  on some. The SlimCat from Kordz is a one-of-a-kind  

network cable for power over Ethernet setups. It  delivers all the power of a regular Cat 6 cable,   but in half the size. The 4 millimetre SlimCat  is specially designed for matching RJ45 crimp   connectors and RJ45 keystone sockets and is 

designed for a robust connection. It fills a gap   in the industry for a retrofit cable for tight  spaces or for new installations where space is   at a premium while supporting 100 watt PoE++ and  delivering 1 GB per second connectivity for up to   50 m. CK Tools has relaunched its bestselling  Redline VDE pliers and cutters range. Now  

featuring a redesigned ergonomic two component  handle and integrated tool tether point for   added safety when working at height. The German  engineered tools comply with VDE standards and are   aimed at electricians and engineers, especially in  the renewables sector. The tether feature responds   to growing safety concerns about drop tools with  HSE reporting 50 UK fatalities and nearly 5,000   injuries in 2023 24 related to working at height. 

The range includes side cutters, cable cutters,   and the popular combi cutter. It's available  now, so click the link to get yours. Quickwire  

has unveiled a four- pole plug-in socket aimed  at the commercial sector. Rated at 16 amps, the   unit is compliant with both BS5733 and BSEN 61535.  It accepts flat solid three core and earth cable   from 1.5 mil to 2.5 mil squared. The plug itself  accommodates flexible cable up to 1.5 mm squared.   As the name suggests, QuickWire is a super speedy  way to connect. You just strip the cable and push   it into the socket screwless push fit terminals 

for an instant connection. The four-pole version   complements the existing three-pole version. It  will even fit through a tiny 35 mil hole, making   it one of the smallest on the market. Quickwire  says it was designed in response to growing demand   from contractors for emergency lighting and  other applications. We've done loads of videos   on QuickWire connectors, so check those out in  the show notes. Doncaster Cables has unveiled a  

dedicated multi-core DC cable. The PV Ultra comes  in two and four core in four, six, and 10 mil,   as well as an SWA version in 6 mill. The result,  a neater, faster, and safer job. Complimenting the   cable and produced in response to installer demand  are dedicated heat shrink boots, which make it   super easy to terminate. You simply slip them over  the PV Ultra and shrink them down for a secure   seal. For stripping PV cables, there's a dedicated 

tool from Knipex. The brand new ErgoStrip PV is  

ideal for 4mm squared and 6 mm squared PV cables  like the H1Z2Z 2K. Its adjustable length stop   allows you to strip to the exact length needed  for MC4 and MC4 EVO2 connectors. The Ergostrip   PV features an ergonomic pistol grip design for  easy cutting, stripping, and longitudinal cut of   the sheath. It has a conicle slim down tool end  for better access in confined areas. There's also   a dedicated stripping notch for PVC single cores  from 0.2 mil to 4 mil squared. Our question of the  

week this week was taken from our free training  package from CPN Cudis. We asked you, why is a   neutral connection required for a typeB RCD in a  three-phase system? And I'm afraid this one really   stumped you a lot. The correct answer is that it's  a voltage dependent device which needs a reference   point. But eight out of 10 LinkedIners and six  out of 10 YouTubers thought it was to detect phase   imbalances. So controversially, I'm not declaring 

a winner this week. Until next week's question,   I'm prescribing a period of quiet self-reflection  on the naughty step and a big dose of that free   training package from CPN Cudis. That's our  electrical news weekly roundup of products or   people we think deserve some attention. Next time  we're taking a spin in all things EV. Now it's  

time for everyone's favourite feature. It's this  week's learner of the week. This time it's Dennis   Frolenkovs from Derby College. He's described as  a standout, a student who's doing all the right   things as he approaches the end of his course.  Dennis is getting stuck into our CPD content,   even the topics not included in his full-time  program. His practical work is super impressive,   especially his sharp conduit work. Contact the  team in the show notes to learn more about Dennis,  

an outstanding young man. Dennis, congratulations  on being this week's eFIXX learner of the week.   And our usual reminder that we're in the market  for your stories, your projects, and your   recommendations as we'd like to share them with  the wider eFIXX community. So, send us pictures   of your installs or let us know if you've come  across any new kit or companies that are making   your job easier or any products that you think 

deserve a shout out. And just before we get to   your favourite bit of the show where I reveal last  week's challenge words and winners, we want to  

thank our premium partners. couldn't make the news  without you. First up, they're the people who've   created the Swiss Army knife of solar inverters  along with all weather batteries. Very much the   boy scouts of the solar industry, it's Sunsynk.  Next, with deep commitments to the economy, the   environment, and the electrical community, there's  so much more than an electrical distributor,   the self-styled experts in shifting boxes, it's 

Niglon. Up next, for all your circuit protection   needs, they're like having an Italian Star Striker  in your premiership team. It's Lewden Palazzoli.   And in an age of energy uncertainty, if you're  looking for your next EV charge point to install,   then helping you charge into the future with  confidence, powering the future together, it's   Rolex. With their new award-winning Lumo consumer  unit and offering complete product support from  

their highly trained team, it's CPN Cudis. And  with over 5,000 product lines from heating,   lighting, ventilation to wiring accessories,  if you need it, they've got it. It's electrical   distributor CED Group. And the best thing to  come out of Yorkshire since stainless steel,   the home of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and  quality products, it's Doncaster Cables. Click the   links in the show notes to find out more about  these great brands. If you think you know the  

words that I've smuggled into this week's show,  pop your guess into the comments. We'll take all   the correct guesses and select one at random  to be the winner of an eFIXX goodie bag prize.   Answers submitted after about lunchtime on the  Thursday after release will not be entered into   the draw. Now, let's reveal the winner of last  week's challenge word competition. Last week's   words were piffle and simulacum. And the winner  to be plucked from our electronic hat was serial  

winner Jason FKM5MQ. Again, I'm guessing  that's not your birth name. And to be fair,   you're going to catch up with Mark. Just Mark at  this rate, Jason. Goodness knows what we'll find   to send you this time, but well done to you. Make  sure you click the get involved link in the show   notes to claim your prize. Thanks for listening  to this episode of Electrical News Weekly. Make   sure you subscribe to receive the next update.  Thanks for listening and until next time, have  

a great week. Stay safe out there and remember  there's no such thing as a torque calibrated arm.