Special Report Q
●From previous page
Which option has been more popular amongst your customers
– using a consumer unit with an enclosure made from non- combustible material, or installing a consumer unit in a cabinet (constructed of non-combustible material), and why? Without doubt, non-combustible metal-clad consumer units are the most popular. This is probably due to the ‘belt and braces’ philosophy previously mentioned – a complete change is likely to be the recommendation of most contractors. The only exception to this are units which need to be housed in an area requiring an IP (Ingress Protection) rated enclosure, otherwise, enclosures are rarely specified.
Q
Which applications are your customers increasingly using
metal units for in circuit protection? Do many of your customers purchase metal units for retrofitting? If so, for what applications? At this point, it seems that nearly every application now exclusively requires metal units for circuit protection, which we have seen reflected in the demands of our customer base. Purchases for retrofit are very common, and I
believe that the majority of our contractors would choose to retrofit a metal unit. This is easily the safest option, and it prevents any future confusion or contradiction.
Q
Do you think more certainty is needed surrounding non-
combustible consumer units? I would argue that the areas of uncertainty surrounding non-combustible units have not been fully embraced. For example, whilst not a requirement of the wiring regulations, there is still a need for fireproof covers for grommet holes, and whilst there are some options available, this is an area which could further be developed for the benefit of contractors. In terms of factors such as ensuring that
terminating cables have been properly tightened, we do stock products like torque screwdrivers to ensure terminations are tightened to the correct recommendation, but these aren’t huge sellers. This is likely because skilled electricians tend to rely on their own expertise when it comes to procedures such as these.
Q
Do you think distributors have a role to play in helping
contractors comply with 421.1.201? Without a doubt they do. At BEW we have assisted the situation by effectively making plastic consumer units no longer available. We quickly recognised the way the market would go following Amendment 3 and, by working with manufacturers, we collectively managed
38 | electrical wholesalerJune 2017
to run down stock and phase out non- compliant products. As a responsible distributor, we have also
worked hard to keep our customers up to speed, sharing relevant information on our website and via flyers available from our trade counters. These updates not only explain the whys and wherefores to the changes in regulations, but also offer useful solutions and quality products at discounted prices. We feel that it’s important for us as a wholesaler to support contractors where possible, and that very much applies to helping them to get in line with the latest regulations.
Q
What changes, if any, would you like to see relating to circuit
protection in the 18th edition? The change I would unquestionably most like to see is a more forceful implementation of the laws and regulations governing counterfeit devices. Equally, it’s vital that the relevant bodies clamp down on products being illegally imported from outside of the UK without manufacturers’ consent. Both of these issues could lead unsuspecting contractors to unwittingly install potentially dangerous products which are not covered by warranty, creating a serious hazard for homeowners. Luckily, MK Electric is not a serious victim of
counterfeiting, but it is nevertheless a serious industry-wide issue that MK Electric addresses through its legal teams and alliance with the border control authorities, as well as a wider industry involvement with the members of The
BEAMA Anti-Counterfeiting Working Group (ACWG). Ideally, I’d also like to see manufacturers
bringing ‘sell-on’ items which comprehensively tackle the afore-mentioned issue with grommet holes.
Q
Outside of circuit protection, do your customers have any new
product needs? In the current climate, where smart technology is becoming an increasingly integral part of daily life, the market for home automation and protection products is likely to continue to grow. However, it unfortunately seems as though this market is migrating to specialist installers. This is probably due to the huge number of
product variations currently available, which causes a certain amount of confusion and uncertainty for installers getting to grips with home automation technology. In light of this, a simple, easy to understand product which is well-explained would be well received, and would fill the gap for installation by mainstream contractors. Equally, there are some excellent products
currently available which capitalise on the tech-driven nature of modern society – for example, sockets which incorporate USB ports to cater for people’s increasing reliance on smart devices – and I’m excited to see what innovations emerge over the next few years.
http://www.mkelectric.co.uk www.ewnews.co.uk
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64
