Wholesaler Guide


Battery storage moves further into the mainstream


One of the most significant additions in Amendment 4 is the introduction of Chapter 57 on stationary secondary batteries. For the wider market, that is a clear signal that battery storage is no longer being treated as a niche topic. It is now firmly part of the mainstream electrical discussion.


The new chapter covers a range of important considerations including protective earthing, protection against electric shock, thermal effects, DC-side fault protection, wiring system selection and installation location. In dwellings, battery systems must be installed in a suitable location in line with manufacturer instructions and PAS 63100, with appropriate consideration given to fire safety and compartmentation. Just as importantly, Amendment 4 treats stationary secondary batteries as a generating set rather than a load in key parallel supply provisions. In practical terms, that has implications for contractors adding storage to existing installations, because it affects how the suitability of the existing board or assembly should be assessed.


Gareth Yeomans, technical training manager at Sync Energy, said: “The inclusion of Chapter 57 is one of the clearest signs yet of how quickly the market is changing. Battery storage is now


EV charging remains a practical contractor issue


Amendment 4 also brings useful clarification around EV charging installations, which continue to be a growing part of everyday contracting work.


The update confirms that AFDDs are not required for circuits supplying EV charging equipment with socket-outlets or vehicle connectors conforming to BS EN 62196-2. It also reinforces that each socket-outlet or vehicle connector must be individually protected by an appropriate Type A, F or B RCD, or RDC-PD. Where DC fault protection is not provided within the charger, an RDC-DD or suitable upstream protective device is required.


That kind of clarification matters because it helps translate regulation into product choice and installation confidence on site. It also reflects a wider truth: EV charging is no longer a bolt-on extra. In many properties, it is part of a broader move towards more electrified, more connected energy systems.


becoming part of a much broader electrical conversation, particularly where it sits alongside solar and EV charging. Contractors need confidence not only in the product itself, but in how the wider installation is designed, protected and integrated.”


Amendment 4 is a reflection of how installations are changing. The task now is to make sure those changes are understood, applied correctly and supported by the right products and the right technical guidance.


Green Energy Solar demand spikes as homeowners A


s households react to rising energy costs and uncertainty following the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East, merchant City Plumbing has seen a 32% upliſt in overall solar PV sales, including battery storage, converters and accessories.


There’s also been a huge increase in interest around the components commonly used in plug-in solar systems, following global events and the Government’s announcement of plans to relax legislation in this area.


At the same time, use of the brand’s online Solar PV Kit Builder has increased by almost 70% compared to the same period last year, as users explore system options and costs, as well as identify all the components needed for efficient, effective installation.


Alongside product demand, City Plumbing ewnews.co.uk


has also seen sustained interest in its solar PV courses. Delivered in partnership with renewable energy training specialist GTEC Training, the three-day course covers how to design, install and commission rooftop solar photovoltaics at a subsidised cost of £264, subject to funding eligibility.


“When energy prices become unpredictable, homeowners start looking at what they can do to take back some control, and solar is often the first place they start,” said Hemal Morjaria, CCO at City Plumbing. “As well as a spike in full rooftop solar, we’ve seen huge interest in smaller-scale plug-in components, and while they are not a replacement for a full system, they do show how awareness is building and often act as a first step before customers look at a larger installation. “For installers, the key is being able to respond to this rising demand quickly and with confidence,


respond to rising energy costs Demand for solar PV has risen by nearly a third, according to City Plumbing.


and that comes down to having the right products available, backed by the right technical support.” To support growing demand, City Plumbing has a national network of dedicated solar hubs, giving installers fast access to the products they need, when they need them. The hubs offer same-day collection and next-day national delivery, helping keep projects on track and avoid unnecessary delays.


July 2026 electrical wholesaler | 25


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