‘Kill Switches’ Discovered in Chinese Solar Inverters

coming up on this week's news so-called kill  switches are discovered in Chinese-made inverters   says Reuters A Welsh local authority installs  one of the UK's first bidirectional AC chargers   And why don't you see solar panels on council  houses we reveal the reason and why it's set   to change 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 The electrical trade is being warned this  week that undocumented communication devices have   been found inside Chinese-made power inverters  The discoveries include secret cellular radios   News organisation Reuters says it's been told by  US security officials that the rogue components   allow the units to be turned off remotely The kit  which has also been discovered in battery packs   bypasses standard firewalls to avoid detection  Engineers stumbled on the additional equipment  

while stripping down the inverters in a so-called  teardown The sources declined to name the brand   names of the affected inverters and batteries They  also wouldn't say how many they'd found in total   Experts fear the hidden kill switches could be  activated remotely to cripple power grids in the   event of a conflict between China and the West  The revelation comes as a bill is introduced in   the US Senate which aims to ban the Department  of Homeland Security from buying batteries from  

six Chinese brands Meanwhile the UK government  is understood to be currently reviewing the use   of Chinese renewable energy technology with a  conclusion expected this summer The probe is   believed to also include inverters No guidance or  advisories have yet been issued to the trade over   the choice of inverters in renewable installs  Of course it could all just be a big fuss over   nothing More on this story when we get it In  other news a council in Wales sachets into the  

future by becoming one of the first in the country  to install a bidirectional AC charger Denbighshire   County Council says that it's combining the  vehicle-to-g grid charger with its fleet of   100 electric vans solar panels and battery packs  to reduce its reliance on the grid The setup means   that powering the van's batteries can be sent back  to the grid during peak demand AC vehicle-to-g   grid chargers use the existing onboard inverters  in the vehicle and are typically simpler and  

lower cost than DC equivalents Other councils  trialing the tech include East Lothian Islington   Oxfordshire and Wiltshire Local authorities are  clearly keen on electric vehicles But why many  

perplexed people ask Do you never see solar panels  on council housing the reason says Octopus is that   there's simply no incentive for landlords But that  could all be about to change This week the energy   giant unveiled a special tenant power tariff It  aims to remove that blocker by allowing landlords   and renters to share the benefits of clean energy  Under the plan local authorities and housing   associations can earn money by exporting surplus 

power from PV panels to the grid The green energy   automatically gets sold back to the grid at peak  times Tenants meanwhile can save up to 200 pounds   a year under the arrangement Any social home with  solar panels and an octopus optimised battery can   sign up for tenant power If landlords add extra  low carbon tech like heat pumps occupiers can save   even more Octopus believes the tariff will provide  a big boost to installers by giving councils  

a clear return on investment Now do you fancy  yourself as a product designer uk Power Networks  

has put out a plea to inventors everywhere  It wants help with a rapidly growing problem   The rapid growth in EV chargers and heat pump  connections is leading to more customer complaints   about the main's voltage falling outside of its  limit Energy firms must deliver 230 volts but are   allowed to go to plus 10% or minus 6% Currently a  complaint means that UK power networks must send a   qualified inspector to install a voltage recorder  in the customer's home for 2 weeks The device  

is then collected and the data analysed It's a  slow and expensive process Now the firm wants a   technical expert to design a device that customers  can install themselves It wants something that   householders can simply plug into a socket It must  record the voltage fluctuations and transmit the   information back using the 4G network or something  similar It must be safe to use small enough to put   in the post and cost the same as a multimeter If 

you think you can come up with something to fit   the bill you have until the 17th of June to submit  it The link to the competition is in the show  

notes Now welcome to our electrical news weekly  feature where we focus on a specific product area   This week we're going green with sustainability  The big news here is that the innovative scrap   metal startup GreenCable has signed up its 2500th  trade professional and is rapidly approaching   3,000 Many congratulations to them If you're not  familiar with the scheme it's a new concept where   the company delivers a green wheelie bin to your  premises or home There's no contract or service  

charge You simply put in your offcuts of twin and  earth and other non-ferris metal They collect it   they give you money and well that's it The firm  describes itself as the trade scrapyard on wheels   It's now upgraded its fleet and is rolling out the  service to more parts of the country To request   a bin click the link in the show notes Lewden  has announced that you can now commission its  

Sienna EV chargers by simply using the Monta app  The Monta charge section allows you to schedule   charges only at times when certain conditions  are met These could include low electricity   prices low CO2 or a high level of renewable power  Connecting the charger to the cloud is easy too   Thanks to Mont's compliance with the industry  standard open charge point protocol or OCP you can   also integrate your customer's vehicle with Monta  so that they can see the current battery level  

whether the cable is plugged in or if it's being  charged Monta also supports solar PV integration   Now we can't do a focus on planet friendly  products without namechecking Marshall Tufflex  

The company has been using recycled material in  its trunking conduit for over 30 years Its current   range is in fact made from 80% recycled UPVC  windows Gary and I took a trip down to the brand's   factory on the South Coast to see how the magic  happens and I'll pop the link to the video in the   show notes It really is pretty impressive Siemens  is also using post consumer and postindustrial   polymers this time in its RCCBs The German giant 

says the plastic in its Centron 5SV3 device now   contains 50% recycled content Siemen's Andreas  Matthée said using as much sustainable material   as possible was the new normal for the company  That's our electrical news weekly roundup of   products on people we think deserve some attention  Next week we're sounding the alarm for fire safety   and security Meanwhile excitement is building for  the highlight of the electrical trades calendar  

Yes it's CEF Live The show takes place at the  National Exhibition Center in Birmingham on   Thursday the 5th of June and Friday the 6th of  June Gary and Gordon will be at the LED group  

stand on Thursday That's the powerhouse behind  Robus Fusebox and ATC They'll be hosting a series   of live chats interviews and debates They'll be  tackling real world questions electricians face   every day sharing tips on how to grow a successful  contracting business and shining a spotlight on   the next generation of electricians Special guests  joining them include Theo Webster Kimmy the Spark   and Griff Thomas While you're there make sure to 

check out the new Fusebox F3 the feature packed   Robus Speed Beam F Plus and the energy efficient  ATC Almeria panel heater On Friday attention turns  

to darts as Gary and Joe head over to the Marshall  Tufflex stand You can meet world champion Phil   Taylor and take on fellow dart star Mark Dudbridge  in a beat the pro challenge The top prize is a red   letter day experience If darts isn't your thing  there's also a scaleextric track You'll also   be able to check out Marshall Tufflex's cable  management kit such as the basor range of cable   trays the fast fix basket and the conduit range  with 50% recycled plastic And just in case you're  

wondering which Joe from team eFIXX will be on  the stand it's me I'm actually being allowed out   of the new studio to make one of my rare public  appearances and I'd love to see you there if you   can make it Wera Tools will be showing its new  safe speed VDE screwdrivers on stand 11.6 The  

safe element is provided by a slipover mechanism  which ensures that the selected torque cannot be   exceeded You can set five torque values and  also have a fixed position for conventional   screwdriving It boasts a fast rotating sleeve for  easy use The company is also launching the 410I   ratcheting T- handles These work with the brand's  3/8 inch VDE sockets and accessories On stand 9.66  

Collingwood Lighting will be showing all its hero  lights including the Super 6 installer range This   tested and approved halfdozen includes down lights  battens bulkheads and non-corrosive luminaires The   brand will also be introducing a three circuit  track range so keep an eye out for that There'll   be an F1 simulator on the stand a secret prize  for the top ranked driver and of course lots of   Collingwood merch One of the best promos in  our humble view is on the Crompton controls  

stand The company is offering a free spooler cable  carrier for every electrician who brings an eFIXX   completion certificate for the introduction to  motor control CPD that we created in association   with Crompton And if I do say so myself it's some  of the best work that we've done and well worth   checking out in its own right The link to the CPD  is as ever in the show notes There's a maximum of   10 spoolers to be claimed per day so you'll  need to be quick You can also check out the  

company's range of devices including starters  contactors panels isolators timers and power   monitors Power tool accessory specialist Armeg is  on stand 9.33 where it will have four demo areas  

for its drilling and driving kit Best of all it's  offering some special Lightning deals at the show   Three of these will be products in its popular  carabiner belt loop bit holder sets The final   deal is the Armeg versus Velocity Progear Drill  Pod Pro This is an organiser for all your drill   accessories and includes the newly released Impact  Masonry Plus bits These stubby bits have fast boil   clearance and a stock feature for specific depths 

There'll also be surprise freebie deals and bonus   giveaways So get yourself to stand 9.33 Specialist  Wiring Accessories part of the Shoal Group is on  

stand 11.3 where you can get special show pricing  including for its acclaimed Storm Glands There   will be a full range of SWA kit on display from  tools glands fixings to live demos The company   will be giving away free easy lock cable marker  kits to a limited number of early visitors each   day Each kit is worth over 65 quid So if you want  one you'll need to be fast SWA is also hunting the   fastest crimper at the exhibition All you have to 

do is prep and crimp a solar MC4 connector onto   a solar cable in the fastest time to win a BCT  10300C handheld battery powered crimping tool It's   worth taking part because that tool will set you  back over 1,500 quid Runners up will bag a solar   tool starter kit Visitors to MetPro on stand 9.54  will be able to get their hands on the company's  

extensive range of conduit and accessories These  include the conlock conduit system rollatray rapid   saddle easy fit channel nuts and trunk clip and  tray clip Visitors can have a go on a special   install course where the aim is to install all the  MetPro innovations as fast as you can The fastest   time each day will win an Amazon voucher Oh and we  reckon MetPro has the best coffee at the show so   you get your caffeine fix there as well Scame 

UK will unveil no fewer than three new ranges  

at CEF Live These include the Ikona series of  industrial consumer units the bespoke ATX Zenith   range and the EMC isolator series The company is  also promoting the assembly of its compact EXGD   series which is now in the UK Best of all Scame  says it will give a £250 CEF voucher to a randomly   selected visitor to its stand Hager is on stand  9.4 where you can see its groundbreaking BHP RCCB  

a device designed specifically for ensuring  safety in heat pump installs We covered this   game-changing device in some detail on a recent  live stream You'll find a link in the show notes   for that one At CEF Live you can also check out  its other award-winning circuit protection kit   and get up close and personal with the magnificent  Hager PBM Ducatti superbike There's also a chance   to win VIP tickets to a British superbike meeting  Grab some Hager Gang merch and see the three times  

a day stand spectacular All on stand 9.4 MattE  is showing its innovative range of EV connection  

centres and components including its new GPCA  unit This is suitable for loads up to 1,250 amps   and is therefore ideal for DC chargers The brand  will demo its award-winning Guardian electrical   safety monitor You put it next to your existing  disboards where it constantly watches the supply   and checks the electrical infrastructure of a  building It's ideal for power and protective   conductor monitoring for three-phase installs and  not just for the EV jobs There'll also be some  

exciting prototypes on display A domestic heat  pump connection centre and a diverted neutral   current detection unit for domestic properties  At stand 9.56 platinum exhibitor contactum will  

focus on commercial power distribution Kit on  show will include the robust defender disboards   The Defender 125 amp Bboard features power and  lighting options while the 250 amp version boasts   five incomer options three and four pole switch  disconnectors thermal magnetic adjustable MCCBs   and a four- pole MCCB with adjustable typeB RCD  The trusted Defender 2.0 consumer unit will also   make an appearance no doubt New for contactum this  year is a range of wiring accessories including  

profile a full grid solution Make a note of  hall 11 stand 26 for your visit That's where  

you'll find Lewden in full swing on the 5th  and 6th of June Get hands-on with interactive   challenge games score limited edition giveaways  and chat directly with Sales and technical teams   for top tier advice Electricians also have the  chance to claim a free VIP merchandise pack Just   pre-register via the Lewden website You'll also  be able to check out the Sienna Charger with   its integrated monta commissioning we mentioned  in our product focus section Whoever you decide  

to visit on the day registration for free show  entry is required on the CEF website You'll find   the link to that in the show notes and we hope to  see you there Another OCPP compliant platform for   EV charging is Tap Electric The good news here is  that TAP integrates seamlessly with Chargemate's  

innovative Libra load balancing device Instead of  allocating a set amount of power to a building's   EV chargers Libra cleverly allows you to  dynamically use any available power when   the building is running below its maximum use  Libra also features out of the-box integration   with the Tap electric app as well as integration  with subzone load management and individual phase   monitoring To commission it you simply use the  touchscreen The good news is that the guys from  

both TAP and Chargemate are joining us on our live  stream this week That's Wednesday the 28th of May