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Asbestos related disease caused by past exposure to asbestos is currently responsible for up to 4,000 deaths a year making it the biggest work related killer in Great Britain.
Asbestos was used extensively as a building material in Great Britain from the early 1950s through to the mid 1980s and any house built before the year 2000 could contain asbestos. Provided that it is not disturbed and remains in good condition, asbestos is safe, however if it is disturbed and fibres become airborne it can be deadly. Inhalation of asbestos fibres can lead to three fatal diseases; asbestosis (scarring of the lungs), lung cancer and mesothelioma (cancer of the lining around the lungs and stomach), and can lead to non-fatal conditions such as pleural plaques and thickening.
If asbestos fibres are inhaled it can take anywhere from 15-60 years for symptoms to develop, so these diseases will not affect you immediately but may in later life. It is therefore of vital importance that you are aware of the dangers associated with asbestos, where it can be found and how to protect yourself against exposure.
The Control of Asbestos Regulations place a legal duty on employers to provide information, instruction and training to any of their employees who are likely to be exposed to asbestos as part of their work. The three main types of training are:
It is highly likely that in any building built before the year 2000 asbestos could be present and any persons working in such buildings should undertake asbestos awareness training so that they are aware of the risks and know how to avoid them.
For those that plan to disturb asbestos as part of their work, e.g. by drilling a hole in textured coatings then, in addition to asbestos awareness training, they will need job-specific, non-licensed asbestos training which will give them the skills to:
For further information on asbestos training visit the HSE website.
Work with particular ACMs can only be carried out by somebody who holds a license issued by HSE. All work with sprayed asbestos coatings, asbestos insulation or asbestos lagging and most work with asbestos insulating board requires a license because of the hazardous nature of these higher risk materials. Non-licensed work includes working with asbestos cement sheets/guttering, textured coating and rope seals/gaskets.
Where non-licensed asbestos work is concerned there is a requirement for works to comply with a risk assessment, for exposure to be controlled and for operatives to have undertaken appropriate training. However, for Licensed Asbestos work, the Control of Asbestos Regulations includes requirements (in addition to those for non-licensed works), for the work to be notified to the enforcing authority (14 days prior to commencement of works), for medical examinations and health records for workers, along with designation of asbestos areas and emergency arrangements to be put in place.
Although some work with asbestos does not require a license, the requirements of the Control of Asbestos Regulations still apply, as does the requirement to be appropriately trained, to work safely, control exposure and dispose of waste in accordance with the Hazardous Waste Regulations.
Details of non-licensable asbestos work can be found on the HSE website www.hse.gov.uk/asbestos. Specific details can be found in the Asbestos Essentials worksheets.
Following the ban on incandescent lamps, European legislation is currently being drafted to phase out poor performing reflector lamps, including the lower end halogen reflectors. Contrary to some reports in the media, this new legislation does not mean that a whole lamp type is to be phased out. Neil McLean, SBU Leader Halogen for Havells-Sylvania across Europe clarifies the situation.
You may have read about the end of halogen lamps in the media recently. In fact, the emphasis of this draft legislation is on 'poor performing' lamps and anyone concerned about achieving energy efficiency targets and providing consumers with efficient and affordable 'green' light sources will welcome this initiative.
The proposed EU ban only refers to those low lumen output lamps which have exceeded the maximum energy efficiency index of 0.95. Therefore, even after the Stage 3 phase comes into force in 2016, those lamps that do not exceed 0.95 - for example higher performance MR16 lamps - can continue to be sold as long as they meet the minimum life requirement of 4,000 hours.
The legislation is expected to be published in the official journal of the EU towards the end of the year and the first effects will come into force about nine months later (stage 1: September 2013). From this we expect that between 2013 and 2016, the European Commission will phase out the poor performing (and least efficient) low voltage halogen lamp types, including poor performing GU10 mains voltage lamps. There is no forced end-date for the most environmentally and energy efficient halogen reflector lamps.
In line with previous legislative protocol of this sort, a step-wise approach will be taken which means that the process starts with the poorest performing lamps, and proceeds working up until only the best lamps can remain. There will be a review of the directive in 2015 to ensure the toughest requirements planned for 2016 are workable and realistic.
As members of the ELC, Havells-Sylvania is still lobbying for final modifications to the legislation to ensure that it is effective, realistic and workable in terms of ensuring the needs of markets are met (with regard cost and performance); and manufacturers can keep up.
Havells-Sylvania supports the EU targets of 20% energy reduction by 2020 and recognize that, as part of the lighting industry, it can contribute by not only supporting legislative measures, but also by providing a portfolio of innovative, market leading, energy efficient products in LED, CFL and top performing Halogen. Take, for example, the EcoPlus range, which is fully retrofit with standard halogen lamps, giving huge cost of ownership savings through energy savings of up to 40% and lifetime increases of up to 60%+, and with no compromise in light quality or functionality.
These products, in addition to supporting the achievement of the 2020 targets, will invariably also bring end users lower cost of ownership through reduced replacement and energy costs.
Craig Needham, Managing Director at e-fficient Energy explores how to get the best from Voltage Management technology
The Carbon Trust helpfully published late last year its clear explanation of the benefits of Voltage
Management, how it works, and proscribed a methodology on how Site Surveys should be conducted. This has developed a minimum standard for the industry and has really helped potential customers understand what Voltage Management is all about and how it is, or is not, applicable to their needs.
Crucial as the Carbon Trust’s process is, there is also a stark warning as to what does and doesn’t constitute as Voltage Management technology. Additionally the methodology is not just a case of plugging in a simple voltage logger, and using kWh data. Without the prospective supplier physically attending site the potential savings are just guess work but the likelihood will be that the solution proposed will not reflect the load profile of your equipment with potentially dangerous results.
The simple reality is that Voltage Management (VM) whether in its simplest form Voltage Optimisation (VO) or in its more effective and technologically more advanced format Voltage Optimisation plus Regulation (VO+R), does not deliver savings across all types of electrical equipment.
If you are considering Voltage Management solutions then your prospective supplier needs to conduct a
full and comprehensive site survey and provide you with detailed information with their proposal before you should contemplate placing your order.
Voltage Management works because most incoming UK voltages are not at the 230V we expect, but fluctuate across a range between 216V and 253V, and vary during the day too.
The survey needs to include at least a week long Mains Voltage and Load Analysis, together with a full and comprehensive Site Survey detailing which electrical assets on your site will respond to Voltage Management and which will not.
This comprehensive Mains Analysis will detail for you a whole host of characteristics of your site which basic voltage loggers cannot do. The minimum you should see is an analysis including the following: Nominal Voltage, Voltage Swing, Powerfactor, load inbalance, peak in rush current, voltage drop across your site...in essence a full evaluation of your Load Profile.
Only with this information is it possible to determine the correct system size requirement.
The next step is to determine which of your equipment will give you savings and which will not.
Savings are only available from certain types of electrical equipment. There are essentially two types of electrical equipment – those that are Voltage Dependent and those that are Voltage Independent.
Voltage Dependent devices consume power proportional to the supply voltage - the higher the voltage the higher the power consumption – and if you reduce the voltage you’ll use less electricity. A 1% decrease in supply voltage will cause a 2% reduction in power demand - saving you money.
Voltage Independent devices, however, are designed to consume energy regardless of the supply voltage and with these savings are not possible.
There are some types which are “partially dependent” but the majority of your equipment on site will be Dependent or Independent. Savings are possible on Voltage Dependent devices – and not on those that are Voltage Independent.
Determining what these savings could be for you requires this comprehensive Site Survey and evaluation of your Mains Voltage and Load Profile. It is only by doing this that you can be confident that the solution that is being proposed is “fit for purpose”.
The Carbon Trust has worked hard to raise awareness of the benefits of Voltage Management but have cautioned that it is not right for everyone and unless you follow their methodology you may well be over promised a system which fails to deliver.
e-fficient Energy Systems Ltd - the UK’s technological leader in the field of Voltage Management - has adopted a truly honest approach following this methodology recommended by the Carbon Trust, and will tell you if Voltage Management is or isn't right for you. Utilizing their Voltage Optimisation plus Regulation technology you can be assured that the approach and technology provides the correct solution. Their refreshing approach is being welcomed by many companies who have been concerned by the over promises and under delivery they’ve seen over the past few years.
e-fficient Energy offers the very latest intelligent Voltage Optimisation plus Regulation equipment giving users the opportunity of achieving the greatest electricity savings and addressing the many technical issues often seen with "step down” basic Voltage Optimisation systems.
Contact e-fficient Energy on 01909 569 016 or see their website at www.e-fficientenergy.co.uk
Jim Wallace, product and technology manager at Seaward Solar, looks at solar PV test instruments.
Despite the recent uncertainty over changes in feed in tariffs, there remains considerable optimism for the future of the solar PV sector and particularly when longer term tariff rates are confirmed that will enable those in the industry to be able to plan ahead with confidence.
Given the obvious tie-in with conventional electrical work‚ grid connected solar PV system installation has already largely become a mainstream electrical contracting industry activity and this has been supported with the introduction of new solar PV test equipment onto the market.
Although the system installation process itself is unlikely to be too difficult for a qualified electrician‚ PV systems are unusual in that the energy source cannot be switched off. If there is daylight falling on a PV panel it will produce electricity and it is possible for a relatively small array of only a few panels to deliver a lethal shock.
Another important point is that PV panels generate DC voltage, which is not always commonly used by electricians in their normal work. In addition‚ because of the current limiting properties of PV cells‚ they are incapable of producing sufficient fault currents to operate over-current protection devices such as fuses. Once established a fault may remain undetected, not only posing a hazard for an extended period but also wasting energy generated by the PV system and potentially developing into a fire hazard over time.
Without fuse protection against such faults, elimination of a fire risk can only be achieved by both good system design‚ and careful installation with appropriate inspection and testing.
Special measures must therefore be taken during installation of PV systems to eliminate the risks of dangerous working and latent electrical problems. Much of this comes down to the quality of the installation and the electrical system inspection and testing regime.
In general terms, the installation of domestic grid connected PV systems also falls within the scope of Part P of the Building Regulations and it is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that systems are installed according to the existing BS7671 electrical installation standard – the 17th Edition IEE Wiring Regulations.
However‚ the inspection and testing of DC circuits associated with PV arrays requires special considerations. The IEE Guidance Note 7 Special Locations provides guidance on solar photovoltaic (PV) power systems.
The fundamental requirement for all Installers of PV systems in the UK is to satisfy the Microgeneration Certification Scheme requirement as detailed in the DTI’s guide Photovoltaics in Buildings which is aligned to the IEC 62446 standard: ‘Grid connected PV systems’, sets out the minimum requirements for PV system documentation, commissioning tests, and inspection.
In short, the standard sets out measures to ensure that:
• That the electrical insulation is good
• The protective earth connection is as it should be
• There has been no damage to cables during installation
• The PV panels and electrical supply connections have been wired correctly
There are many instruments available that are sold under the title of ‘solar testers’ so it is vital to ensure that the instruments selected are capable of performing all of the tests required by the MCS.
The absolute minimum testing that needs to be undertaken involves continuity measurements, open circuit voltage, short circuit current, insulation and irradiance.
To meet the electrical test needs some contractors have used multiple instruments that typically include an earth continuity and insulation resistance tester‚ a multimeter, DC clampmeter along with various associated connectors and leads.
However, the danger with such ‘homemade kits’ is that not all of the tests required by IEC 62446 will be covered and, with different PV system electrical tests potentially requiring the use of different testers, using such an array of instruments can be cumbersome and time consuming.
This sort of consideration has led to the introduction of a new generation of dedicated multi-function solar PV electrical testers such as the Seaward Solar PV100 that are capable of carrying out all electrical tests required by IEC 62446 on grid connected PV systems.
With the push of a single button, the combination tester automatically carries out the required sequence of electrical tests in a safe and controlled manner. Testing can be conducted quickly and easily with the PV100 being pre-programmed to run a test sequence of required tests and using specially designed PV test leads which quickly connect and disconnect from the installation circuit. This also avoids the risk of contact with exposed live DC conductors.
For complete MCS compliance, alongside electrical testing, an irradiance meter is also required to measure of how much solar power is available at any particular location.
The most accurate solar readings are produced from irradiance meters which utilise sensors which are similar to the technology utilised in the panels themselves. The ideal solution is to utilise an irradiance meter which uses a photovoltaic cell as its sensor rather than a pin diode which will not necessarily have the same response to sunlight as the PV cell itself.
In addition, some irradiance meters are themselves ‘multi function’ and incorporate other useful features such as a digital compass, a digital tilt meter and a dual channel precision thermometer.
For MCS compliance, there is no need to carry out any further testing other than those detailed above. However, certain other diagnostic tests may be regarded as useful to check for faults and to assess different performance parameters of the solar PV system.
Although there is no mandatory requirement for a power analysis to be undertaken in the UK, a power analyser can be a useful tool to ensure that an inverter and complete system is performing correctly and delivering the pay back expected by a customer.
In the same way, IV curve tracers, which measure the voltage and current performance of a panel, are not a compulsory requirement, but can be useful in helping to ensure correct performance against manufacturers’ requirements and for various other forms of diagnostic testing.
Finally, thermal imaging cameras can also be used to diagnose system defects and issues within installations. When selecting a camera it is important to ensure that the resolution is adequate to identify defects when used at a distance from the PV installation.
When it comes to solar PV electrical test instrumentation, the choice for the installer is therefore between using general purpose individual items of equipment against all in one combination PV testers and dedicated MCS kits that enable measurements to be taken in a fast, safe and efficient fashion.
In this respect, given the likely reductions in solar feed in tariffs, the ability of multi-function testers to help installers to work faster and more efficiently without reducing the integrity of testing is set to become even more important in terms of remaining competitive. In addition, all in one testers only require a single calibration service, which also reduces the ongoing cost of PV system testing when compared to using multiple instruments.
In terms of working more efficiently dedicated solar PV testers can also record and provide results in a format that is compatible with data recording programs that assist greatly in the creation of comprehensive system information folders for use in customer test certificates and system commissioning packs.
In the circumstances, the best advice for the solar PV installer is to use the most convenient and effective instrument that satisfies mandatory requirements, and then extend the range as necessary with those test products which provide more diagnostic information.
More details are available at www.seawardsolar.com
Keeping abreast of new technology is key for electrical contractors wishing to grow their business, with domestic energy reduction systems representing a fast growing market sector that gives customers exactly what they want – lower energy bills.
There’s a wide choice of solutions available, from solar PV to solar thermal, ground source heat pumps to heat recovery systems. However, one of the quickest, smallest and most cost-effective to fit is a domestic voltage optimiser, such as the Voltis Home system from Marshall-Tufflex. This system takes a registered electrician about one hour to install and immediately reduces electricity bills by up to 17%.
Voltage optimisation technology has been around for many years, cutting its teeth
inthe commercial/industrial sector to become a proven and established method of reducing power bills and carbon emissions plus refining the quality of power and evening out supply peaks and troughs. It was only a matter of time before scientific advancements paved the way for the miniaturisation of VO for domestic use at a cost-effective price point.
Perhaps the hardest part of the installation process is ‘selling’ the concept to householders, many of whom will have little to no idea about how and why voltage optimisation works. It’s actually a simple case of supply and demand. In the UK electricity is supplied by the National Grid at around 240Volts to comply with Electricity Supply Regulations which stipulate supply should be 230Volts +/- 10% (207Volts to 253Volts). Electrical appliances are manufactured to suit the whole world and work best at between 220Volts and 230Volts. As voltage supply in the UK is high surplus electricity fed into appliances dissipates as heat and vibration. Optimisers use transformers to lower the amount of electricity entering the appliance, reducing power bills and prolonging the life of equipment. In short, householders are no longer paying for electricity they don’t need, don’t use and which ‘wears out’ appliances.
Voltis Home represents a real opportunity for electricians to add a new revenue source to their business, as MAP Contract Services, in Woodford, Essex, has discovered. Company spokesman Jack Creed said: “We’re expanding the MAP portfolio to include ‘green’ solutions to help reduce customers’ energy bills and had heard about domestic voltage optimisers. We compared several systems on the market and selected Marshall-Tufflex’s Voltis Home as our preferred choice. The system is much like an isolator to install – it’s very simple and took less than an hour.
“Our customers appreciate that, with rising energy prices, Voltis Home can take their bills down to a more manageable level, particularly when some are seeing an 18% increase in fuel bills and a potential saving of 17% from the optimiser. There’s also the benefit of the lower voltage prolonging the life of domestic equipment, which is an added bonus,” added Mr Creed.
The system, developed by Marshall-Tufflex at its research and development base in the UK, is the first ‘intelligent’ solution developed for the domestic market. This means Voltis Home:
The system uses a transformer to lower incoming voltage. Controls programmed into the unit enable it to self-manage, monitoring mains supply and domestic electricity demand. As appliances are switched on and off Voltis Home reacts accordingly to maximise savings. If the unit detects a problem with mains supply, for example it has dipped too low for VO to safely reduce it further, it moves into bypass mode and continues monitoring mains until it returns to normal, at which point it returns to power save mode. Voltis Home’s intelligent operation also means it goes into standby if no appliances are being used, for example when householders are on holiday. This ensures it is not running when it does not need to, delivering a further saving. There is no need to maintain Voltis Home once installed – simply check its display to see what savings are being achieved.
Voltis Home is a major step forward in domestic voltage optimisation (VO), delivering all the benefits ofMarshall-Tufflex’s established Voltis commercial system but in a ‘mini’ version suitable for the home or buildings with electrical supplies of up to 100Amps. For domestic users this means electricity savings of up to 17%* are realistic and possible. This equates to as much as £150 per year for the average three-bed semi occupied by a family of four people, based on today’s average electricity prices. Installation is straight-forward (between the electricity meter and the main consumer unit) and can be completed in about an hour by a registered electrician.
Marshall-Tufflex sells two versions of Voltis Home, a standard unit for incoming voltages of up to 243Volts and an HD version for incoming voltages of up to 253Volts. Both are 300mm x 240mm x 147mm. The HD version is 2kg heavier at 14kg. Purchase and installation of the HD version can be completed for around £500 or less, depending upon contractor rates. If mains feed is below 230V we advise that a voltage optimiser will not offer significant savings.
Shopping around for the best home energy tariffs has become standard practice for many household. If changing supplier secured a saving of up to 17% on electricity bills we’re sure most bill payers would happily sign up. Voltis Home can offer this performance potential together with stabilised power supplies and prolonged appliance life, making it a great deal and a very smart choice.
*Based on tests completed on a range of domestic appliances
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