• • • EDITOR’S CHOICE • • • Don’t cut corners
Nico van der Merwe, vice president of home & distribution UK & Ireland at Schneider Electric, looks at the shortcuts that lead to short-circuits, and how you can avoid them
A
consumer unit is the electrical heart of the home, and its vital responsibilities are often overlooked. The devices fitted within a
consumer unit can help protect against electrical faults, such as overloads, short circuits, earth leakage, and arc faults. Without this protection, it could result in electric shocks and damage to the cable installation. Arcing can potentially damage cables over time, which leads to an increased risk of fire. However, having a consumer unit doesn’t
guarantee comprehensive protection for customers. Compliance with relevant standards and regulations, whilst considering the type and age of devices inside the unit, is key. Not only is compliance essential for the safety of the home in which the units are installed, the reputation of the businesses that sold, supplied, and installed them is at high risk of being tarnished too. This highlights the importance of creating a
thorough vetting process for consumer unit procurement, as well as checking compliance with the latest standards and getting regular checks of installations. As the consumer unit is the heart of your customers’ home, it is paramount that all the necessary steps are taken to ensure it is as safe as possible. Don’t just go with the flow, go for those in
the know Your electrical business is only as good as the
products that you choose to install. While there is a vast array of brands out there all vying to secure that position under the stairs or in the garage of customers’ homes, opting for the right manufacturer is critical not only for the safety of your customers but also for the reputation of your business. Compromising on quality could cause serious repercussions. When making that decision on which
manufacturer’s product you are going to install, the quality of the product, the reputation of the manufacturer, as well as the availability of future support should all be considered before making your selection. Doing this will give you peace of mind that you have done as much as you can to ensure the safety of your customer. So, what are the key things to look out for when selecting a manufacturer?
Go for those in the know Looking for a manufacturer that specialises in circuit protection is maybe the most obvious tip, but it is the clearest way of knowing that the products they supply are high-spec and built to the latest industry standards.
BEAMA membership You would be surprised at the number of manufacturers that are not members of BEAMA, the UK’s trade association for electrical manufacturers and providers of energy infrastructure technologies and systems. Members of BEAMA are committed to building products in line with their high standards, allowing you to buy with added confidence.
Future ready Consumer units aren’t something that you rip out and replace every 2-3 years, they are a mainstay of a household’s electrical system. If an older unit needs to be repaired, you may need access to spare parts for products that may be 10-15 years old. In the same vein, a company that innovates its products to factor in potential future changes is one that you know has the market knowledge and experience to depend upon. Taking these steps to assess your manufacturer
of choice will not only give you clarity of choice in the short term, but it will enable you longer, healthier relationships with customers who experience fewer faults as a result of safer, more reliable equipment. A little knowledge and effort go a long way towards making your customers’ homes safer.
10 ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING • NOVEMBER 2022
electricalengineeringmagazine.co.uk
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