UK Government Orders Destruction Of Double-Gang Sockets
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UK product safety inspectors have ordered the destruction of a shipment of Chinese-made sockets after identifying multiple serious safety concerns. The universal accessories failed to meet UK electrical equipment and plug and socket safety regulations, prompting officials to prevent the shipment from reaching consumers.
Plug-in solar will officially be legalised in the UK from 27 August, following months of debate between the government and electrical industry bodies. The change opens the door for small plug-in solar systems to enter the mainstream UK market, with major retailers expected to begin offering the technology.
New research from has found that 78% of electricians have experienced a near miss, highlighting the everyday risks of electrical work. The findings reinforce the importance of following safe-isolation procedures every time, regardless of experience. Watch our latest safe-isolation video here.
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A coroner has linked the death of former electrician Brian Kettley, 82, to asbestos exposure during his working life. His family said he was exposed to asbestos fibres while drilling into walls, with asbestosis recorded alongside severe coronary artery atheroma as his official cause of death.
EcoFlow’s new STREAM Series is a modular home battery system designed to make energy storage easier to start with and expand over time. The system offers 5kWh of capacity, up to 3kW output and 5kW solar input, while its modular design allows storage to scale all the way to 90kWh as a household’s energy needs grow.
Repenic has unveiled what it believes is the world's first smart toggle switch, combining the familiar mechanical feel of a traditional switch with Zigbee smart control, energy monitoring and multi-way switching. It can also control compatible smart lamps while keeping them permanently powered!
Sockits has developed a different approach to the 13A socket, using a detachable terminal cassette that can be wired and tested before the socket body is fitted. This improves access, simplifies replacement and allows fronts to be upgraded without rewiring.
Sync Energy is giving MCS-certified installers the chance to win more than £7,000 worth of home-energy equipment in its latest competition. The giveaway runs until the end of August, with eligible installers simply needing to complete the online entry form for a chance to win.
Bangladeshi electrician Julhas Molla took the ultimate weekend project to another level by spending four years building his own 100kg aeroplane. Powered by a 7hp water-pump motor, the homemade aircraft reportedly got airborne and reached around 15 metres above the Jamuna River.
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Contactum is making surge protection easier to fit with the launch of its new Type 2 Compact Surge Protection Device range.
Designed for use with Defender 2.0 consumer units and Defender B Boards, the new Compact SPD range gives installers strong protection against transient overvoltages in a smaller, more practical format.
Space inside consumer units and distribution boards is becoming more valuable than ever. Modern installations often need to allow for extra circuits, smart technology, EV charging, solar PV, battery storage, and other connected equipment. That can make board layout a real challenge, especially when every module counts.
Contactum’s new compact design helps tackle that problem. By reducing the space needed for surge protection, installers get more room to work with while still delivering the level of protection expected from a full Type 2 SPD.
For domestic jobs, the range is ideal where consumer unit space is tight. In commercial and industrial settings, it supports cleaner, more efficient board layouts while helping maintain compliant protection across more complex systems.
The Defender 2.0 Compact SPD has also been designed in line with updated industry guidance, including BEAMA recommendations and manufacturers’ instructions. Under certain conditions, this allows an SPD to be installed without a dedicated MCB, with protection provided through the DNO fuse instead.
Alan Broom, Technical Manager at Contactum, said: “The way electrical installations are designed is changing, with increasing pressure to maximise space without compromising safety. Our new Compact SPD range delivers trusted protection in a smaller format.”
As electrical systems become more crowded, Contactum’s Compact SPD range gives installers a practical way to protect modern installations while making better use of valuable board space.
Home With This Range?
Electric vans are no longer a distant idea for UK trades and small businesses. For many, they are already part of daily working life.
New research from Tempcover has found that 30% of van-reliant SMEs and sole traders are already using electric vans in their operations. The survey, which questioned 500 UK businesses that rely on vans for work, also found that interest is growing fast. Among those yet to make the switch, 58% are considering moving to electric within the next five years.
However, the research also shows that many businesses still have practical concerns to work through before they commit. The biggest barrier is range anxiety. Among businesses that have not yet switched, 39% said they were worried about how far an electric van can travel on a single charge. High upfront purchase costs were the next biggest concern, cited by 29% of respondents, while 28% pointed to a lack of suitable charging infrastructure.
Those concerns are understandable, especially for small firms where a van is often essential to earning a living. Any change to the vehicle setup needs to work reliably, day after day.
Even so, the shift towards electric vans is clearly underway. More than a quarter of businesses said they plan to switch within the next 12 months, while almost two-thirds expect upcoming policy changes and manufacturing trends to influence their future fleet choices.
There are still confidence gaps to close. More than half of businesses yet to switch said they do not feel electric vans are suited to their specific needs, and 70% have concerns about reliability for high-mileage or long-distance work.
Claire Wills-McKissick, temporary business van insurance expert at Tempcover, said the transition requires careful planning, particularly for smaller businesses where upgrading vehicles is a major investment.
As emissions rules tighten and more electric models become available, many van-reliant businesses are watching closely. The opportunity is clear, but the challenge now is building the confidence to make the move.
