The IET Raises Alarm Over Sustained Overloads
Hidden overloads could leave electricians exposed...
The IET has issued a warning to electricians about sustained overloads in solar PV installs that may not be adequately protected under current designs. The IET says that while regulation 433.1.1 requires overcurrent protective devices, these may not operate if the overload current remains below the tripping threshold. In such cases, long-duration overloads can occur without any protective device operating.
Installers are reminded that circuits must be designed so small overloads of long duration are unlikely, with protective devices correctly matched to both the design current and cable current-carrying capacity.
Apprentice plunges 11 feet after unsafe work at height
An electrical contractor has been fined after one of its apprentices fell through a fragile roof while working on a CCTV installation in Weymouth.
Tristan G Murless Limited was fined £16,000 after the then 20-year-old apprentice plunged around 11 feet onto a concrete floor while using a makeshift crawling board on an industrial unit roof. The fall left him unconscious, temporarily unable to walk, and requiring physiotherapy for back injuries. The HSE said the incident was entirely preventable and that a young worker at the start of his career had been failed by those responsible for his safety.
Company fined after ‘wholly avoidable’ substation incident
The government’s product safety watchdog has blocked the sale of a downlight after finding it poses a serious electric shock risk. The Office for Product Safety and Standards has taken action against the JM-1027B luminaire from Chinese manufacturer Joy In LED. Investigators found that live parts inside the fitting can be accessed without tools, creating a real risk of electric shock. Batches of the product have already been rejected at the UK border and destroyed. Anyone who encounters the product is advised to contact the distributor for a refund and report it to their local Trading Standards office.
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Ever been cut by trunking? The ECA wants to hear from you
The Electrical Contractors Association is asking electricians to share their experiences after reports of repeated injuries caused by steel trunking and ceiling systems. It believes the issue is widespread and wants feedback directly from those affected. The organisation has launched a survey to gather real-world experiences and suggestions from the trade, with the aim of influencing safer trunking designs in the future.
The Fixing electricians wish they’d had years ago
A larger version of the popular ChumpFix fixing has arrived.. The new ChumpFixL builds on the original solution, which speeds up fixing to plasterboard without the need for wall plugs. At 25cm long, the ChumpFixL is twice the length of the standard version and is aimed at heavier or larger installations — including consumer units mounted on stud walls where a stud isn’t available on both sides. Both the standard ChumpFix and the new ChumpFixL are now available from CEF and other major wholesalers.
Your lights will know you’ve walked in a room before you do
Ledvance’s Direct Easy lighting control system is designed for dimming and basic control without the usual complexity. Aimed at small projects like offices and shops, it lets you commission up to 40 luminaires in minutes using nothing more than a smartphone and Bluetooth. There’s no gateway, no registration, no training, and no additional infrastructure. You simply create a zone in the app, discover the luminaires, assign devices, and you’re good to go. Switches, sensors, and couplers are added just as easily..
This light switch has no wires… So how does it work?
Quinetic’s wireless switching system removes the need for cables, batteries and back boxes altogether. Its kinetic switches generate their own energy when pressed, sending a radio signal to a wireless controller that switches lights and other loads on or off. The range includes switches, PIRs, Wi-Fi pendants, key fobs, socket adapters, door sensors and outdoor lighting, plus grid switches compatible with market leading systems.
For sparks who still trust a pen more than an app...
An electrician who prefers pen and paper over tablets has developed a practical electrician’s diary designed specifically for life on site. Created by Dale Kerry of DSK Electrical, the diary includes essential reference charts such as current carrying capacities and voltage drop for twin and earth, alongside structured pages for recording test results. It’s aimed at installers who want everything in one place without relying on apps, batteries or digital devices.
Goal at one end, fault-finding
at the other
A non-league football match in Kent was abandoned after the floodlights failed at half-time — prompting the club’s own striker, who also happens to be an electrician, to try and fix them. Despite climbing a ladder and giving it a go, Charlie Clover couldn’t restore power without his tools, forcing officials to call off the game and providing a timely reminder to always bring the kit.
