Category Archives: Industry News

Project launched to support EV chargepoint infrastructure rollout

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The Geospatial Commission has today launched a discovery project to explore how location data can be better utilised to support planning and delivery of electric vehicle charge points by local authorities.

The UK is committed to transitioning to electric vehicles (EV) in support of ambitious net zero targets. Local authorities will play a crucial role enabling this transition.

This project will support the approach set out in the government’s Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Strategy, published today by the Department for Transport, which focuses on enabling the rollout of a robust EV charging infrastructure network by 2030. Setting out a vision and approach for EV infrastructure roll-out and expectations of key stakeholders, the Strategy identifies that addressing barriers to data sharing will be important to enable decision making.

Dr Steve Unger, Commissioner at the Geospatial Commission, said:

Location data will play a key role in planning the UK’s transition to electric vehicles and help make net zero a reality. Through this project, the Geospatial Commission will understand the challenges faced by local authorities who wish to exploit location data. By working together, we will be able to unlock the potential for data-driven innovation in transport.

The Geospatial Commission discovery project includes workshops with 10 local authorities to identify challenges and opportunities for better use of location data in the rollout of EV chargepoint infrastructure. This project will be undertaken by technical specialists Frazer-Nash Consultancy.

Matthew Perrin, Digital Services Innovation Lead, Frazer-Nash Consultancy, said:

Geospatial data is vital to planning, installing and running an effective charging infrastructure for electric vehicles. We are really looking forward to working with the Geospatial Commission and local authorities on this important study, providing our expertise in geospatial data and discovery to enable this important step on the UK’s journey to net zero.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate from Leeds City Council, said:

Over the last five years, Leeds has taken a range of actions, offering free electric van trials, discounted parking and requiring charge points in new developments, to accelerate our city’s transition to less polluting vehicles.

With figures showing that the number of plug-in vehicles in Leeds has doubled over the last year, it is vitally important that we understand how best to expand and improve access to charging infrastructure for drivers on the go or without private parking. We are therefore excited to be part of this timely project.

The following local authorities are involved in the project:

  1. Oxfordshire County Council
  2. City of York Council
  3. Norfolk County Council
  4. Greater Manchester Combined Authority
  5. West Sussex County Council
  6. Cornwall Council
  7. Kent County Council
  8. Leeds City Council
  9. Wiltshire Council
  10. Cheshire East Council

Wiring Matters – Issue 87 – September 2021

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It’s that time again, here is what you can find in Issue 87 (September 2021) of the IET’s Wiring Matters magazine.

Evaluation and metrics

The design framework of IEC 60364-8-1 provides guidance on a more energy-efficient electrical installation through careful placement of electrical supplies, considered infrastructure design, controls and energy management. All of this is designed to minimise energy loss in the distribution of electricity and reduce energy consumption at the point of use in the electrical installation, whilst still maintaining a suitable and comfortable environment for the end-users.

Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector

The IET’s Technical Helpline continues to be inundated with queries relating to the practicalities of implementing the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 (ESSPRS). These place legal requirements on landlords to ensure that every electrical installation in a privately rented residential premise is inspected and tested at intervals of no more than 5 years, by an electrically qualified and competent person.

Myth Busters #7 – Out with the old, in with the new?

The introduction of the 18th Edition of the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671:2018) saw a new regulation buried in Section 536 Co-ordination of electrical equipment for protection, isolation, switching and control.

Back to the Forum – Current-carrying capacity of cables buried in the ground

A question that arises periodically on the IET Engineering Communities forum concerns the current-carrying capacity of cables buried in the ground, in particular, the data used to select the appropriate cross-sectional area (CSA) of live conductors.

TT earthing considerations

TT earthing facilities are installed when the distributor does not provide a TN earthing system or when circumstances dictate that a TN earthing system cannot be used. A look at the considerations and what you need to know.

You can take a look at the full edition via the link below –

https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2021/87-september-2021/

Wiring Matters (Issue 86) July 2021

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This is a look at what’s inside Issue 86 (July 2021) of the IET Wiring Matters magazine.

The framework for energy efficiency in electrical installations

This is Part 2 of Cameron Steel’s 3 part series of articles on energy efficiency in electrical installations.

Setting up a basic electrical maintenance regime

Electrical installations and the components within them are sometimes taken for granted and once installed, have an expectation to provide reliable, continuous service indefinitely.

Hot tubs

The IET has recently received an influx of calls on the helpline regarding the confusion surrounding hot tub installations. In this article, we try and provide clarity by examining the facts available to assist the designer in making an informed decision to avoid finding themselves in hot water.

Back to the Forum – Thermal effects

Discussions on renewable energy have made it to the IET Engineering Communities forum several times recently. Renewable electricity will play a crucial part in achieving ambitious UK Government emission targets, but this will mean an increased maximum demand for electrical installation. In this article, we look at the effects of increased temperature and thermal effects on cables and consumer units.

Arc flash risk management

Details on a health and safety factfile provided by the IET.

View the full Issue 86 (July 2021) of the IET Wiring Matters magazine here

Wiring Matters – Issue 85 [May 2021]

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Here is an overview of what is in the latest edition of the Wiring Matters magazine – Issue 85 [May 2021].

Why have energy efficiency in electrical installations?

A background to Appendix 17 – In summer 2018, BS 7671:2018 (the 18th Edition of the UK’s IET Wiring Regulations) included a new Appendix (17) concerning energy efficiency in electrical installations. The current proposals for Amendment 2 of BS 7671:2018 develop the initial provisions that have been derived from the international standard IEC 60364-8-1 Low Voltage electrical installations – Part 8-1: Energy Efficiency.

With great power comes great responsibility

‘Smart’ is undoubtedly the hot buzzword, both at the wholesalers and when considering options with clients. Domestic and commercial customers are now very aware that there are a host of devices and equipment that can swap out the ‘traditional’ item and offer them greater functionality. These options are increasingly on a par in terms of price, room thermostats being a good example, where Internet of Things (IoT)/Wi-Fi versions are really not much more expensive than their older, physical-button relations.

EICR Myths

Answering some of the most common questions and dispelling the myths associated with the EICR. Since the Electrical Safety Standards in the Private Rented Sector (England) Regulations 2020 came into force on 1 June 2020, the IET technical helpline has been inundated with calls related to the Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR). This previous IET Wiring Matters article provides further information. In this article, we are going to answer some of the most common questions received and dispel some of the myths associated with the EICR.

Earth leakage

One question being asked in the IET Engineering Communities Forum is ’Earth Leakage Current – How much is too much? This question is being asked more often due to the proliferation of electronic equipment.

Draft for Public Comment for Guide to Implementing Electrified Heat in Domestic Properties

The IET Codes and Guidance team has recently released a draft Guide to Implementing Electrified Heat in Domestic Properties. Prepared for all those involved in this sector, it focuses on all forms of electrified heat as well as other related approaches and technologies.

Elex showcase – discounts, industry forums and more

For those of you missing real-life events, the IET has partnered with Elex to bring you the next best thing – a Virtual Showcase! The showcase offers you everything you’d usually expect to find on the IET stand at an Elex show – discounts on our books and training, the popular IET Industry Forum seminars, and information and webinars around our professional registration offering for the electrical industry, Electrician EngTech.

Wiring Matters Issue 84 – March 2021

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It’s time to take a look what’s inside Issue 84 (March 2021) of Wiring Matters.

Estimating the age of an electrical installation

This article by Richard Giddings (IEng MIET ACIBSE) looks at how useful it is to be able to establish the approximate age of an electrical installation, whether needing this information for reporting purposes, work or just plain curiosity. Electrical testing alone is insufficient to give an installation’s exact age although, in some instances, it can assist. Instead, recognizing certain details will be a great skill which can be honed by experience.

Island mode earthing arrangements: New Guidance in the Second Edition of the IET Code of Practice on Electrical Energy Storage Systems

Introducing the concept of prosumer’s electrical installations (PEIs), and operating modes for a electrical energy storage systems (EESS) and examining the earthing arrangements for island mode operation for PEIs with EESS. By Graham Kenyon CEng MIET and Dr Andrew F Crossland CEng PhD.

The all-new 5th edition of the IET Code of Practice for In-Service Inspection and Testing of Electrical Equipment

In this article, James Eade, author of the 5th edition, continues his brief insight into the changes to this important Code, now available from the IET.

Broken PEN

Don’t panic, this article is not about broken ballpoint pens, it is concerning broken PEN conductors in PME earthing arrangements. By Michael Peace CEng MIET.

The history of colour identification of conductors

We consider identification of conductors by colour as the norm today, but it wasn’t always the case, as prior to 1916 conductors were not typically identified by colour. By Michael Peace CEng MIET.