Switched On 24 - Electrical Safety First

www.esc.org.uk
Issue 24 | Spring 2012 | £5.00
Kitchen appliances
under the grill
The Council puts the latest equipment to the test
WELCOME
opened last December. It is hard not to
conclude that there is a need for joined-up
thinking in government if there is to be a
coherent outcome from the two reviews that
are taking place on Part P.
On the matter of keeping consumers safe, the
Charity held a workshop for the Fire and
Rescue Services in England to strengthen our
existing relationships and find new ways in
which we can work together to promote
electrical fire safety to the general public
(more on page 7). The workshop was well
attended and the plan is to replicate the
workshop in Scotland and Wales.
ith the start of the New Year there is a
continued challenge to Part P and
uncertainty of the future of electrical safety in
the Building Regulations. Prior to Christmas
there was a call for evidence from a
Communities and Local Government (CLG)
Select Committee concerning the Building
Regulations and their application to electrical
and gas installation and repairs in dwellings.
This is in addition to the CLG review of the
Building Regulations that was due to have
W
It was heart-warming to receive a £1000
donation in memory of their mother from the
daughters of a lady who died in an electricalrelated house fire. We have matched the
donation and are in discussions with the local
Fire & Rescue Services to run a joint initiative
with them. There is no question that
electricity kills and, whilst we are grateful for
the donation, we cannot stress enough how
important it is for everyone to be safe from
the dangers that electricity can cause.
The Charity was proud to have held its
inaugural stakeholder event at the end of
2011 under the theme: Stronger Partnerships
for a Safer Future (more on page 5). This
event provided us with the opportunity to
share information about the work we do with
like-minded organisations, seek their input on
our future direction of travel and to
understand what their respective agendas are
and how we can work together to provide
greater benefit to users of electricity. We
recognise that successful partnerships will
only happen if there is effective
communication whereby we listen to the
views of others and accommodate these
views where possible.
On a final note I would like to offer the ESC’s
congratulations to two people. To Roy Jones,
a Trustee of the Electrical Safety Council’s
Board who has been awarded an MBE in the
New Year’s Honours List for services to young
people in Wales. And to Jim Speirs who has
recently announced he will retire from the
Ascertiva Group in April 2012 and was
previously director general of the ESC Group
until June 2009.
As always, we would welcome feedback on
Switched On, to help us improve the content.
Email feedback@esc.org.uk
Phil Buckle Director General
ESC Essential Guide now available FOR JUST £35
A year’s subscription to the ESC’s online
Essential Guide to the Wiring Regulations is
now available for a limited
period at the bargain price
of just £35 (plus VAT)!
searchable online resource contains over 300 topics covering
a wide range of relevant subjects to help you in your work or
studies. Subjects are clearly explained with
the aid of full colour illustrations, diagrams
and tables. Each topic can be printed out
Well respected in the industry as a
for ease of reference as required. During
source of authoritative technical
the subscription year, the topics will be
information concerning the application
updated as necessary to take account of
of the requirements of the Wiring
the changes that will be introduced by
Regulations (BS 7671), this fully
Amendment 1 to BS 7671: 2008.
To subscribe or for a 7 day free trial, visit www.esc.org.uk
Microgeneration technical issues - see pages 17 to 19
issue 24 Spring 2012
switchedon
your insight into the electrical
safety industry
news
technical
features
2
4
Welcome
16
Fire resistance of cable supports
10 Kitchen appliances put to
News in brief
17
Have you ever been asked...
5
Inaugural stakeholder event
promotes stronger partnerships
18
Ensuring microgeneration
systems are fit for purpose
6
Fire Safety Fund helps communities
in Wandsworth
20
Free electrical safety
information for your customers
7
Electrical safety workshop for Fire
& Rescue Services
8
Householders warned about the
risk of fires starting near electrical
intake equipment
9
Portable appliance testing–
challenging the myths
Council appoints new head of
13 communications
Also, inadequate testing leads to
unlawful killing verdict
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
the test
Letters
I’m sure that there are many
within the electrical industry
that will have strong feelings
about some of the issues
raised in Switched On. So feel
free to shout about them.
Please email your letters to the
Editor of Switched On at:
andrewbrister@ymail.com
14 Installing smart meters:
ESC campaigns for checking
tightness of meter tail
connections in consumer units
Published by:
The Electrical Safety Council
Unit 331, Great Guildford Business Square
30 Great Guildford Street
London SE1 0HS
www.esc.org.uk
www.twothirtyvolts.org.uk
www.switchedonkids.org.uk
Tel: 0203 463 5100 Fax: 0203 463 5139
email: switchedon@esc.org.uk
3
news
IN BRIEF
this area. However, there are many other
relevant issues which could be considered,
so we hope applicants will come up with
some interesting research approaches to
electrical safety in the 21st century.”
House of Commons Select
Committee Inquiry
A few days before Christmas, there was a
surprise announcement that MPs had
decided “to carry out an inquiry into the
operation of the Building Regulations (for
England), so far as they apply to electrical
and gas installation and repairs in
dwellings, including houses in multiple
occupation”.
The Communities and Local Government
Committee invited submissions from
interested parties, particularly contractors,
dwelling owners and local authorities, on
the adequacy of the operation of the
current Building Regulations so far as
electrical and gas safety is concerned.
The Electrical Safety Council responded to
the invitation by the deadline of 25
January. A report on the inquiry will be
given in the next issue of Switched On.
Government consultation on the
future of Part P
The consultation by the Department for
Communities and Local Government
(DCLG) on the future of Part P, originally
expected to start in December, was
delayed until 31 January.
ESC Board member Roy Jones
honoured
•
approvals under competent persons
provisions.
However, from 1 January, any revisions to
Building Regulations and related
procedures, processes and guidance
proposed or issued by DCLG will apply to
England only.
Red Tape Challenge
In yet another Government consultation
exercise, from mid-January to midFebruary, the Red Tape Challenge website
(www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.go
v.uk) invited views on regulations applying
to the housing and construction sector,
including the Building Regulations.
If you want to have a say in the future of
Part P, the consultation package is available
at www.communities.gov.uk/corporate/
publications/consultations/
According to the website, feedback from
the Red Tape Challenge will be used to
develop future changes to the Building
Regulations (in England), including those
they aim to implement in 2012/2013.
The deadline for responses is 27 April.
ESC supports PhD student
If Part P is amended, the changed
requirements are still due to come into
effect in April 2013, after six months’
notice. However, the changes will apply in
England only (see story below).
The ESC has announced plans to provide a
bursary for a PhD student in an electricalrelated subject.
Building Regulations powers
transferred to Welsh Ministers
On 1 January this year, powers to make
Building Regulations for Wales passed from
the UK Government to the Welsh Ministers.
Documents and guidance that had
previously applied to England and Wales
continue to apply in Wales following
transfer of powers. These include:
•
•
•
4
The ESC/Lightmongers award ceremony
was part of the Lighting Education Trust’s
annual lecture, which is sponsored by the
ESC and Hoare Lea Lighting.
Building Regulations
Approved Documents
guidance published by DCLG, and
Phil Buckle, director general of the ESC,
made the announcement during a
presentation at a recent Lighting Education
Trust event - ‘Educating Future Designers’ where Rachel Nicholls, an MSC student at
the Bartlett School of Graduate Studies,
received the ESC/Lightmongers award for
the best exterior lighting design project.
“We plan to be quite open in terms of the
area of research we will support,” explained
Phil Buckle. “For example, we know that
data from the Department of Communities
and Local Government shows that
electrical fires are increasing as a
percentage of the overall total, so we
would be interested in research focused on
Roy Jones – a member of
the Council’s Board and
governing body - has
been awarded an MBE in
the New Year’s Honours
list, for services to young
people in Wales.
Roy has over 40 years’ of service within the
utility sector and is currently a community
liaison manager for ScottishPower.
Following the launch of ScottishPower
Learning in 1995, he oversaw the delivery
of the Prince’s Trust team programme
across North Wales and Merseyside and, as
New Deal manager, helped establish
schemes to bring young people into
employment.
Roy has also managed the Your Champions
Award for ScottishPower and Trinity Mirror
North Wales, which gives recognition to
unsung community heroes in the region.
Changes to Qualified Supervisor
competence deferred to 2013
It was announced in the autumn 2011
issue of Switched On that new technical
competence requirements for proposed
Qualified Supervisors for registered
electrical contracting firms would come
into effect on 1 January 2012.
However, at a meeting last December, the
Electrotechnical Assessment Specification
Management Committee decided to defer
the implementation of the new
requirements until 6 April 2013, to align
with the anticipated revisions to Part P of
the Building Regulations.
Further details are available from the IET
website at:
www.electrical.theiet.org/buildingregulations/eas/
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
news
INAUGURAL STAKEHOLDER EVENT PROMOTES
STRONGER PARTNERSHIPS
understand its
mission and are
willing to
partner with the
Council in
helping to
prevent
electrical
accidents,
injuries and
deaths in the
UK,” he said.
he Electrical Safety Council recently
held its inaugural stakeholder event at
the Southbank Centre in London –
Stronger Partnerships for a Safer Future.
The event, hosted by Council chairman
Charles Tanswell, brought together over
30 representatives from industry,
consumer organisations and government.
T
In his address Tanswell spoke about the
importance of building meaningful
partnerships to drive the safety agenda
forward: “The Charity is cognisant of the
need to initiate open, two-way dialogue
with its stakeholders to ensure they
In the
meantime,
director general
Phil Buckle outlined the strategic direction
of the Charity and provided a scorecard of
recent achievements. He noted that the
strategic priorities (see box) will allow the
Council to focus our work on where it can
make the biggest impact for consumers.
The event also provided an opportunity
for partner organisations to highlight how
they have worked with the ESC to achieve
their business objectives. Francis Philippa
from Foundations highlighted how ESC
funding improves the electrical safety of
the homes of vulnerable people across
the UK and demonstrated very clearly the
beneficiaries of the Charity. Paul Collins of
NICEIC showed how his organisation used
ESC’s technical expertise to provide best
practice guidance to industry in order to
maintain standards in the UK. In addition,
Suzanne Kuyser from the Trading Standards
Institute spoke about the support Trading
Standards received from the ESC in getting
counterfeit and substandard electrical
products off the market.
The presentations were followed by
breakout sessions in which working
groups discussed some of the big issues
that the ESC faces in developing effective
campaigns and initiatives to improve the
electrical safety of the UK’s consumers.
The ESC’s strategic priorities
•
•
•
•
•
•
Raising the profile of the Charity
and awareness of electrical safety
Building the capacity of our
people
Safer Places
Safer Products
Income Streams
Research
For more information about our partnership working, please visit the Stakeholder and Business section of the
Council’s website: www.esc.org.uk
ESC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT ELEX SHOWS IN 2012
he Council looks forward to seeing you at one of the five ELEX
shows in 2012. The dates and venues are: Harrogate (8-9
March), Exeter (26-27 April), Manchester (21-22 June), Coventry
(20-21 September), and Sandown Park, Surrey, (8-9 November).
T
ELEX always provides the ESC with the
opportunity to hear first-hand about the
issues affecting electrical contractors, and
allows it to distribute the whole range of
consumer literature and best practice
guidance that the ESC has to offer to
electricians, apprentices, tutors, and other
interested parties.
The last show of 2011, at Sandown Park
on 10-11 November was another
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
successful one. The ESC hosted an Industry Forum at the event,
bringing together panel members from ELECSA, ECA, the IET,
NAPIT and NICEIC, to provide news on developments within the
industry and any changes to BS 7671.
As with previous events, the forum was well
attended and, with the new-style technical Q&A
session in the second half of the forum, there
was something for everyone, especially those
lucky enough to win a printed copy of
BS 7671: 2008 (2011), kindly donated by the IET.
Visit www.elexshow.info for more
information.
5
news
HOW THE COUNCIL’S FIRE SAFETY FUND HELPED
COMMUNITIES IN WANDSWORTH
Wandsworth Community Safety Partnership was one of many successful applicants under the
Electrical Safety Council’s 2011 Fire Safety Fund.
Council, London Ambulance Service,
Wandsworth Police and local Fire & Rescue
Services.
In November last year, over 100 residents
aged between 65 and 93 from the
Roehampton area of Wandsworth in
London attended the first two-day event in
the programme, aimed at making them
more aware of safety and security, both in
their homes and also when they are out and
about.
he Partnership was awarded funding to
assist it in the development of a joint
local community services initiative to deliver
a safety awareness programme. The
programme, aimed at the elderly, also
enabled electrical products to be offered to
participants free of charge to help increase
safety, including four-way bar adaptors for
use in place of block adaptors.
T
The need for the initiative had been
identified by the local Fire & Rescue
Services. They had advised the Partnership
of an increase in the number of fires in the
homes of elderly residents in the area,
pointing to the high concentration of older
people living locally in social housing as an
increased risk.
The joint safety initiative was co-ordinated
and delivered by officers from the
Community Safety Division of Wandsworth
The ESC’s Fire Safety Fund
As part of ESC’s commitment to reduce electricallyrelated fires in homes, its ongoing Fire Safety Fund
provides an opportunity for the Council to continue working
with partners to support fire prevention schemes at local level.
The Fund, about to enter its fourth year, aims to support local electrical
fire prevention schemes UK-wide that aim to influence safety standards
and help to change behaviours, with a particular focus on areas of highrisk and vulnerable groups to help keep people safer.
Last year’s Fire Safety Fund, which ran from April 2011 to March 2012,
provided £140k which was shared between 33 initiatives UK-wide: 21 in
England, 8 in Scotland, 3 in Wales and 1 in Northern Ireland.
A number of safety scenario presentations
were provided to the residents, with a
particular emphasis on electrical safety in
the home. Other scenarios included the
importance of having a working smoke
alarm, how to deal with minor burns and
scalds, when to call 999 for an ambulance,
and how to deal with strangers at the door.
Participants spent half a day working their
way through the scenarios and everyone
who came took home a ‘goody bag’
containing useful things for their safety and
security, such as a small torch, a timer switch
to turn lights on and off for security reasons,
and an energy-saving lamp. They were also
given a checklist of things to do before
going to bed, which included a list of
electrical safety checks.
Everyone who attended the event was also
offered the opportunity to receive a home
safety visit from the local Fire & Rescue
Services to check on electrical safety in their
homes. The purpose of these visits is to
make sure householders have a working
smoke alarm and to offer them further
advice about a sensible bedtime routine for
checking fire safety.
Several people who attended the event had
special needs, so visiting them in their own
homes will give the Fire Service a great
opportunity to ensure householders have all
the information and advice on special
equipment they need to help make their
lives safer.
This year’s Fund opens around April 2012.
If any items such as a faulty electric blanket
or damaged cables on portable appliances
6
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
news
such as kettles are found, they will be given
a voucher to use to replace the items if they
cannot afford to buy replacements
themselves.
The first event was a great success with
everyone who attended saying they had
either learnt something new or had been
reminded about various aspects of their
personal safety. All the Emergency Services
Officers who ran the scenarios said it had
been an extremely worthwhile exercise, as
they had quality one-to-one engagement
with the residents, giving the opportunity to
really reinforce the safety messages.
Comments and feedback from the residents
included some from a married couple who
said: “We’ve gone back home and checked all
the electrical appliances and will be much
more cautious about opening the door to
strangers in future.” The nuns from the local
Convent who attended said: “We all feel
much safer now with the safety tips we’ve been
given.”
2008: All reported accidental
domestic fires
To find out more about the ESC’s Fire Safety
Fund and to view the full range of initiatives
supported this year, go to:
www.esc.org.uk/public/news-andcampaigns/campaigns/fire-safety-fund
2008: Accidental fires of
electrical origin
Total
Caused by
products
Caused by
installations
Fires
41,283
19,009
16,955
2,051
Deaths
294
50
47
3
Injuries
8,519
3,099
2,885
214
Source: Unconfirmed provisional data from DCLG
COUNCIL RUNS ELECTRICAL SAFETY WORKSHOP FOR
FIRE & RESCUE SERVICES
related fire safety issues associated with the forthcoming smart
meter installation programme were also discussed.
The other session looked at the ways an electrical installation or
portable electrical appliances can cause fires in homes. It also
highlighted instances where the risks might be increased by the
behaviour of the occupants. Topics covered included particular
areas of risk, such as downlighters, and provided guidance on
what to look for when FRSs carry out visual inspections during
their home safety visits.
successful workshop on electrical fire safety for English Fire
and Rescue Services (FRSs) attracted 38 community fire safety
officers from 25 Brigades – representing over half of the Brigades
in England – with officials from the Department of Communities
and Local Government (DCLG) ‘Fire Kills’ campaign also in
attendance.
A
Feedback received on the event was very positive, with all
attendees agreeing that, following the workshop sessions, they
had a greater understanding of electrical safety issues and an
increased knowledge of the ESC, including its aims and activities.
One attendee commented: “It was an excellent workshop which was
very beneficial to our day to day work activities.”
The workshop provided the ESC with an opportunity to build on
its relationship with FRSs, to increase shared understanding of
electrical fire safety issues and to consider how FRSs can increase
electrical safety messaging in their fire prevention activities within
local communities.
The London-based event included two workshop sessions: one
delivered by Mike Clark, ESC’s technical director and Mark Hobbs,
protection legislation and support manager with East Sussex FRS;
and the other delivered by John Elliott, senior engineer at the ESC.
One of the workshop sessions looked at fires in homes caused by
the effects of overloading or faults in electricity cut-out fuses,
meters and consumer units, which are commonly located under
the stairs or adjacent to other escape routes. Other electrically-
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
Following the event, many of the Brigades agreed to review their
existing guidance for householders with a view to increasing the
electrical safety messages, which the ESC hopes will contribute to
a reduction in fires caused by electricity.
7
news
PARLIAMENTARY
EVENT
CELEBRATES
60TH
ANNIVERSARY
OF SCEME
HOUSEHOLDERS WARNED ABOUT
THE RISK OF FIRES STARTING NEAR
ELECTRICAL INTAKE EQUIPMENT
he ESC is warning householders not to
store combustible materials close to the
electrical intake equipment in their homes.
The Council is getting the message across
by supplying labels and leaflets to Fire &
Rescue Services (FRS) in England as part of
its electrical fire safety campaign work.
T
The label and leaflet will be offered to
householders by FRS fire prevention officers
during their home safety visits. The warning
is particularly appropriate where the
electrical intake equipment (service head,
meter and consumer unit) is in a cupboard
which is used to store items such as coats,
cleaning materials and other items that can
be easily ignited. Fires in under-stair
cupboards are particularly dangerous, as
they can cut off the means of escape from
upstairs.
This joint initiative with the Chief Fire
Officers Association (CFOA) followed an
investigation by East Sussex Fire & Rescue
Service into the cause of a fatal fire in
Eastbourne, and then into a number of
other fires in domestic and similar
properties in their area, that had started in
the vicinity of electrical intake equipment.
The most likely cause of the fires was found
to be resistance heating at deteriorating
cable terminations and fuse contacts. The
report can be found at:
www.cfoa.org.uk/download/18650
Whilst the number of such incidents is
relatively small, some have caused real risk
8
to life due to the nature and circumstances
of how and when the fires occur (often at
night when people are asleep, combined
with the typical location of an electrical
intake being near the means of escape from
a property).
Whilst electrical equipment is designed to
contain the thermal effects of faults, such as
arcs, sparks and, to some extent,
overheating at terminations, the effects can
and do ignite materials that are in close
proximity. This was one of the factors that
led to the deaths of 14 elderly residents at
the Rosepark care home in Lanarkshire in
2004.
In collaboration with the Association of
Meter Operators, the ESC has also offered to
part-fund a supply of the labels for use by
meter operators when visiting homes to
replace electricity meters. This wider
electrical fire safety campaign will run up to
2019, by which time the electricity meters in
all 26 million homes in Great Britain are due
to have been replaced under the smart
meter programme.
The Society of Electrical and Mechanical
Engineers (SCEME) celebrated its 60th
anniversary last November. To honour
the occasion the society held a
parliamentary reception at the House of
Commons, hosted by Minister of State
for Business and Enterprise Mark Prisk.
SCEME president Phil Harris (left) and BIS minister
Mark Prisk (right).
SCEME was formed in 1951 to provide a
platform for mechanical and electrical
engineers working for Local
Government Authorities. “The society
has come a long way since its inception
60 years ago and the House of
Commons event was an opportunity to
mark the achievements of the society
throughout that time,” said current
SCEME president Phil Harris.
“Over the years the society has become
a vital network for engineers involved in
local government work and in more
recent years we have seen the scope of
the society broaden beyond building
services engineers to encompass
sustainability, energy conservation and
communication matters.”
SCEME currently has around 70 members
who meet up four times a year to discuss
the latest topics and initiatives within the
sector. In 1998 the Society widened its
membership criteria to include
professional engineers working for
commercial organisations which provide
engineering design and management
services to Local Authorities.
For more information about SCEME,
log on to www.sceme.org
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
news
PORTABLE APPLIANCE TESTING
– CHALLENGING THE MYTHS
Portable appliance testing continues to cause confusion and concern for business. The Health
and Safety Executive brings readers up to speed on the requirements.
ost readers of this magazine will be
familiar with the concept of in-service
inspection and testing of electrical
equipment, commonly but misleadingly
referred to as portable appliance testing (PAT).
Although IET and Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) guidelines are available, the subject of
PAT still causes confusion and concern for
business. People are not clear about which
equipment needs to be tested and uncertain
about how often it should be done. HSE
wants to ensure that you, as electrical
contractors or electricians, understand what is
required so your clients and customers can
get the best advice.
M
The myth that all electrical equipment needs
to be tested every year by a qualified
electrician was one that HSE refuted in its
‘myth of the month’ series back in 2007. More
recently the issue of PAT has been raised in
the course of Professor Löfstedt’s
independent review of health and safety
legislation. He considered PAT an example of
a regulation that is being applied too widely
and disproportionately largely because there
are many instances of equipment being
inspected and tested too frequently and
tested unnecessarily. He recommended that
HSE further clarifies what is necessary and
what is not.
Although there is a legal requirement to
maintain electrical equipment if lack of
maintenance could result in danger, there is
no legal requirement to test equipment, or
that testing should be carried out at any
particular frequency. Despite this, some
companies offering PAT services cite health
and safety legislation as a reason for
inspection. In fact, checks and inspection of
equipment by users may be the only action
needed for portable appliances that are at
low risk of developing hazardous faults.
HSE therefore welcomes this
recommendation from Professor Löfstedt. It
reflects the Executive’s position in relation to
maintaining electrical equipment, including
portable appliances, that are at low risk of
developing hazardous faults and which are
not subject to excessive wear and tear.
Löfstedt’s recommendation also supports
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
HSE’s view that the focus should be on an
appropriate risk-based maintenance regime
for electrical equipment (portable appliances
and other forms of equipment).
HSE is clear that testing equipment including
portable appliances can be a useful, and in
some instances an essential, part of an
effective maintenance regime but testing, if
undertaken, is only one element of this. Visual
checks by users and regular inspections of the
equipment are also vital parts of any
maintenance regime and, particularly for
appliances that are at low risk of developing
hazardous faults, they may be the only action
required.
When someone is thinking about testing
portable appliances, in addition to visual
inspection and the frequency at which this
should be done, it is appropriate to take a riskbased approach. The type of equipment,
what it is being used for and the environment
in which it is being used are all factors that
will influence the need for testing and the
frequency. For example, for a business that
uses equipment robustly in aggressive
environments - such as a jobbing builder on
construction sites - frequent visual
inspections and testing may be appropriate.
Conversely, for businesses where portable
equipment is rarely moved and sits in a
benign environment, such as computer
equipment in an office, then testing may only
be required rarely, if at all.
HSE is leading by example. Having reviewed
the results of its annual tests of portable
appliances in all its offices over the last five
years, HSE has decided that further tests are
not necessary for certain types of equipment
for the foreseeable future, if at all. HSE will, of
course, continue to monitor any faults
reported as a result of user checks and visual
inspections and review this decision if
necessary.
may be particularly valuable for low risk
businesses where inspection may identify
most, if not all, problems with their
equipment and thus avoid any unnecessary
testing.
HSE is now taking forward Professor Löfstedt’s
recommendations and will review and refresh
its guidance on PAT in the next few months. It
will work with key stakeholders, such as ESC,
IET, NICEIC, SELECT, ECA, NAPIT, the
Association for Professional Appliance Testing
and representatives of small businesses and
user groups such as facilities managers to
make sure that clear messages about PAT
reach all those with an interest.
HSE needs your help too. You are ideally
placed to help businesses by providing
proportionate advice and only promoting
portable appliance testing when assurance
about safety of electrical equipment cannot
be obtained in any other way. If you have any
comments and ideas on how we might tackle
this together then please get in touch with
HSE to discuss them further by emailing
PATarticle@hse.gsi.gov.uk
Useful links:
Advice on maintaining portable and
transportable equipment
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/priced/hsg107.pdf
Further advice for those working with
portable equipment in low risk environments
is available at
www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg236.pdf
Reclaiming health and safety for all: An
independent review of health and safety
legislation. www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/lofstedtreport.pdf
Both inspection and testing, if required,
should be undertaken by someone
competent to do it. Businesses can easily
arrange for a member of their staff to be
trained to carry out formal visual inspections
which are not technically demanding. This
9
feature
Kitchen appliances
The Council’s continued analysis of the EU injury
database and research into electrical risk
categorisation has revealed the need to evaluate
the safety and compliance of kitchen appliances
with product standards. This product category is
regularly notified as being unsafe under RAPEX,
the EU’s rapid alert system for dangerous
consumer products. The problem is exacerbated
as some products appeal to children.
The ESC’s
“
investigation
revealed that
only one of the
11 products
tested passed
the test
programme
”
The European safety standard for toasters and similar
portable cooking appliances, EN 60335-2-9, has been
amended twice since 2008. Revisions have reduced
surface temperature limits and addressed usage by
children aged eight years and over following instruction
or while under supervision. With this in mind, and the
ESC’s commitment to an ongoing product safetyscreening programme, the Council commissioned an
independent laboratory to inspect and test 11 kitchen
appliances.
There is a wide range of products available on the
market. To ensure that a broad range of product types
were covered, one sample of each particular product
type was purchased. The products were bought from
the high street or online. Some were chosen for their
innovative features and others for their potential
appeal to children. They included a selection of basic
and medium-priced portable cooking appliances, a
microwave oven and a portable washing machine. The
products and number of samples selected are shown in
the table below.
Product type
Toasters
Samples
3
Halogen oven
1
Mini oven
1
Microwave oven
1
Popcorn maker/egg boiler
1
Rice cooker
1
Deep fat fryer
1
Induction cooker
1
Portable washing machine
1
The ESC’s investigation revealed that only one of the
11 products tested passed the test programme with no
departures or observations being noted. Over half of
the samples failed to meet the requirements of the
relevant product standard. Problems and observations
found included:
10
• Hazardous surface temperatures
protection against accidental contact
• Inadequate
with basic insulation in a class II construction
symbol or caution warning against
• Missing
contact with hot surfaces
operation with possibility of
• Inadvertent
contacting hot surfaces
internal construction with a potential for internal
• Poor
wiring to contact rotating parts
of information in manufacturers’ instructions
• Absence
concerning vulnerable users
CE-marking and missing markings such as
• Incorrect
vendor’s name or trademark
• Fitted plugs with 13A fuse link when 3A would suffice
Product safety regulations
Electrical appliances must satisfy the requirements of
the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994
before being placed on the UK market. Electrical
appliances in conformity with EU safety standards
benefit from a presumption of conformity under the
safety objectives of the Regulations.
The EN 60335 series of European standards cover the
safety of household and similar electrical appliances.
Part 1 contains the general requirements. There are over
100 ‘Part 2’ standards under the same series covering
specific electrical appliances. For example,
EN 60335-2-9 covers grills, toasters and similar portable
cooking appliances. Both standards must be applied, as
the ‘Part 2’ contains clauses that supplement or modify
the generic ‘Part 1’ standard EN 60335-1.
These standards are continually reviewed and updated
to reflect good engineering practice and developments
in design and technology.
Product testing
Each sample was subjected to testing and inspection
under the appropriate part of the EN 60335 series of
standards. Many of the samples are within the scope of
EN 60335-2-9. This standard has recently been
amended to cover child usage. The amendment, which
comes into force and replaces previous issues in
October 2013, also introduces reduced surface
temperature limits for metal, coated metal, glass and
ceramic, and plastic surfaces of electrical appliances
within the scope of the standard.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
feature
put to the test
We asked the test laboratory to consider the above
aspects during product testing.
Product testing results
contact period of 0.5s, is 84°C to 90°C. This is taken
from the guidance standard for temperatures of
touchable hot surfaces, EN 13202.
Markings and instructions
s
None of the portable cooking appliances included the
latest wording in the manufacturer’s instructions
concerning use of the appliance by children aged from
eight years and above. It is therefore likely that the
products were tested to the earlier version of the
standard, which is valid until October 2013.
Figure 1: Halogen oven
Two samples were missing current standard wording
from the manufacturer’s instructions for vulnerable
users. One sample was also missing the name,
trademark or identification mark of the manufacturer
or responsible vendor.
Figure 2: Mini oven
s
One sample was missing a warning in the user
instructions to replace the supply cord if it shows signs
of damage. Four samples were missing the following
wording from their instruction booklets: “The appliance
is not intended to be operated by means of an external
timer or separate remote-control system.” The portable
halogen oven was also not marked with the
appropriate IEC symbol for a hot surface or with the
wording “CAUTION: Hot Surface”.
Two samples rated at less than 3A had 13A fuses fitted
in their plugs. In general a 3A fuse link is adequate for
an electrical appliance with a rated power of up to
700W, which applied in this instance. The operating
characteristics of an appliance may justify a higher fuse
rating, such as inrush currents, but this was not the
case for the two samples under test.
Accessible hot surfaces
Surface temperatures for the halogen oven (figure 1)
and the mini oven (figure 2) were above the limits in
the current product standard. The outer glass surface of
the halogen oven measured 143°C against a limit of
120°C required by the standard. This sample was also
not marked with a hot surface symbol in accordance
with IEC 60417 or with a caution warning against hot
surfaces. The glass door of the mini oven measured
157°C and its outer surface measured 146°C. The
sample was marked with a symbol and the wording
“Do Not Touch, Hot Surface”, but it is foreseeable that
the user or indeed bystanders, including children, may
contact these surfaces accidentally. In this case they
would be exposed to a potential burn hazard. The burn
threshold for a healthy adult, when touching glass for a
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
The burn threshold figures are 67°C to 73°C for bare
(uncoated) metal, as is the case for the outer surface of
one of the toasters. This sample complies with the
current standard but fails the latest surface
temperature limit for bare (uncoated) metal imposed
by amendment A13 to EN 60335-2-9. It is possible
however that this sample has been manufactured to
the earlier version of the standard, which remains
current until October 2013.
Inadvertent operation
Figure 3 (overleaf) is a multifunctional heating and
cooking appliance. It will steam food, boil eggs, make
popcorn and cook hot dog sausages while
simultaneously heating bread rolls. Two separate
product standards were applied, as not all safety aspects
of the product are covered by a single product standard.
It was possible to set the main switch to dual heating
mode for cooking functions requiring single heating
from the base only, which resulted in the heating rods
generating temperatures above 90°C. While the safety
standard does not specify temperature limits for
accidental contact in such a scenario, the heating rods
pose a potential burn hazard, nonetheless.
The outer glass
“surface
of the
halogen oven
measured 143°C
against a limit of
120°C required by
the standard
”
11
feature
Internal construction
The internal wiring of the portable washing machine
was not adequately secured. As such, there is a risk that
the unsecured wiring might come into contact with
the drive belt during normal operation and result in a
potentially hazardous situation.
Features that appeal to children
s Figure 3: Multifunctional
heating and cooking device
There appears to be an increasing number of electrical
products that have bright and contrasting colours
combined with enclosures having potential child
appeal. EN 60335 - 1 attempts to address this issue by
stating: “appliances shall not have an enclosure that is
shaped or decorated like a toy”.
The toaster (figure 4) plays a tune when the toast pops
up and a character’s face is present on either side of
the toast. These features might encourage a child to
touch or handle the toaster thereby increasingly the
probability of an injury. The user instructions do state
that the product is not a toy and should not be played
with, but the potential hazards resulting from such
features should be considered when deciding to buy.
High surface
“
temperatures are
perhaps
expected for
portable ovens
but in this case
two samples had
temperatures
well above safety
standard limits
”
s Figure 4: The toaster had features that may appeal to
children.
Conclusions
Despite the recent introduction of new wording
concerning the use of appliances by children aged from
eight years and above into the revised safety standard
EN 60335-2-9, we noticed some issues and would
encourage manufacturers to adopt these changes at
their earliest opportunity. The absence of warnings
from user instructions and various product markings,
including no vendor details, would suggest that safety
standards in support of the UK’s Electrical Equipment
(Safety) Regulations are not being properly followed.
temperatures well above safety standard limits. The
absence of a warning for hot surfaces on the halogen
oven is particularly concerning and might increase the
likelihood of a burn injury. It is clear that manufacturers
need to be aware of the changes and modify their
appliances, as appropriate.
The combined heating and cooking appliance
incorporating accessible heating rods is a challenge for
both manufacturers and safety standard makers.
Despite the test laboratory applying two standards to
cover the individual product features, inadvertent
operation is possible resulting in a potential burn
hazard not recognised by either standard. Innovation in
product design is inevitable but adequate safeguards
must be considered and applied during the design and
development stage. This is particularly important where
accessible heating rods are so close to the popcorn
container, which might be accessible to young children
or other vulnerable users with slower reaction times.
A portable washing machine may be convenient and
easy to use, yet in this case the sample’s internal
wiring was not adequately secured. The absence of
information concerning vulnerable users from the
manufacturer’s instructions and the undersized CEmarking would suggest that the safety standard and
UK Regulations were not understood or properly
applied.
Deciding upon features of electrical appliances that
children might find appealing is a subjective matter.
There are differences of opinion between test
laboratories and indeed EU regulatory authorities.
There is considerable debate among EU Member States
as to what constitutes a child-appealing electrical
appliance. The European Commission and its various
committees dealing with electrical goods are
continually updating guidance for market surveillance
authorities throughout Europe.
As with all our safety investigations, we have informed
manufacturers and retailers, as applicable of our
findings and have kept the market surveillance
authorities informed of our actions. A copy of the full
laboratory test report can be viewed on the Council’s
website: www.esc.org.uk
While the current-carrying capacity for the two
samples having oversized fuse links is adequate, both
products would benefit for safety reasons from having
a lower value fuse link, as their rated power is below
700W.
High surface temperatures are perhaps expected for
portable ovens but in this case two samples had
12
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
news
COUNCIL APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
A
take electricity more seriously and act
accordingly.
Anneke’s remit covers marketing,
campaigns and media. In highlighting her
priorities, Anneke noted that she will be
seeking to strengthen the brand among
consumers, especially through digital
media and to focus on building
meaningful partnerships to get people to
“I’m pleased to take on this role especially
at this time as the Charity seeks to
position itself as a consumer safety
champion,” she said. “The reality is that
people don’t take electricity seriously
enough but with electricity causing
approximately 70 deaths and over 20,000
fires each year, that is something to be
taken seriously.”
nneke Rousseau is the new head of
communications at the Electrical
Safety Council. She assumed the role late
last year after an internal restructure.
INADEQUATE TESTING LEADS TO UNLAWFUL
KILLING VERDICT
the flat by the installing contractor, Anchor
Electrical and Building Services Ltd of
Staffordshire, was "not carried out to a
professional standard, if at all".
Evidence at the inquest revealed that when
the electrics were installed, a series of errors
were made. These included an unqualified
electrician’s mate testing and approving the
wiring in the flat. The inquest heard that four
safety documents that the mate had filled
out, and which were checked by the
company’s supervisor, also had a number of
errors in them.
n December 2007, Emma Shaw, a 22-yearold mother, was electrocuted in the airing
cupboard of her flat in the West Midlands.
I
At an inquest into Miss Shaw’s death, the
jury heard how the tragedy resulted from a
plasterboard fixing screw being driven into a
concealed cable when the flat was being
built the previous year, causing the metallic
frame of the partition to become ‘live’ when
the electrical installation was energised.
The damage to the cable had not been
detected because insulation resistance tests
had not been carried out properly on the
wiring, the jury were told.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
The fault had remained undetected until
water from a leak in a hot water cylinder
came into contact with the metal partition.
This caused water on the airing cupboard
floor also to become ‘live’, which led to the
electrocution when Miss Shaw attempted to
turn off the water stop cock when in contact
with the water. As the flat was on the first
floor, no RCD protection had been provided.
Her son Brayden, then aged 23 months, had
been shut in the living room while his
mother went to tend to the leak.
Last December, after listening to two weeks
of evidence, the inquest jury found that the
initial testing of the electrical installation in
The jury said that there had been a “failure
by the company to assess the capabilities of
their workforce and constantly monitor their
development” and a “failure to comply with
their health and safety standards”. They
concluded that Miss Shaw had been
unlawfully killed.
Following the verdict of unlawful killing, the
Health and Safety Executive confirmed that
new evidence would be passed to the
Crown Prosecution Service, which had
previously said that there was insufficient
evidence to successfully prosecute anyone.
The Coroner told the inquest that he would
use coroner’s rules to write to the NICEIC
and other relevant bodies, asking if anything
can be done to curb the practice of
electricians signing safety certificates based
solely on information reported to them by
others.
13
feature
Installing smart meters:
ESC campaigns for checking tightness of meter tail connections in consumer units
As reported in previous issues of Switched On, the Council has
been raising awareness of some of the safety concerns
regarding the installation of smart electricity meters.
The ESC believes that the tightness of meter tail connections within a
consumer unit should be routinely checked as part of the smart
meter installation process – something which energy companies and
meter operators do not currently do.
minimal displacement of conductors prior to connection and apply
procedures A and B below.
Procedure A – Apply a pull-out test as described in clause 8.2.4.4 in
BS EN 60947-1 – record the pulling force.
Procedure B – measure and record the movement, if any, of the
terminal screw to reach the specified torque.
The Council argues that the removal of an existing meter and
installation of the smart meter may mean that the meter tails to the
consumer unit are disturbed and connections within the consumer
unit are loosened. This could result in the meter tails pulling out of
their connection, causing a risk of electric shock, loss of supply, or the
creation of a high resistance connection that could lead to an
increased risk of fire.
Evidence from a report produced by East Sussex Fire and Rescue
Services, and from other reported fire incidents, indicates that many
fires occur within the consumer unit, some of which were as a result
of a high resistance connection.
Example of 7-strand conductor
Investigation
To support its concerns and the anecdotal evidence, the ESC
commissioned an independent laboratory to simulate changing an
electricity meter. This would determine what effect disturbing the
meter tails would have on the connections to the incoming terminals
of the isolator within a consumer unit, positioned in a typical
meter/consumer unit arrangement.
Example of 19-strand conductor
The investigation included a comparison between traditional 7-strand
conductors and a 19-strand conductor. The latter is more flexible and
has been adopted by several meter operators as their preferred type
of conductor for connecting the meter to the cut-out and/or to a
consumer’s isolating switch, due to its perceived improved connection
properties.
An investigation into different cable end preparation was also
included, by flattening or twisting the conductor prior to connection.
A selection of six consumer unit isolator switches and a combination
of conductors sized 16 mm2 (7-strand) and 25 mm2 (7-strand and
19-strand) – 18 connections in total – were subjected to the
following test methodology:
Example of twisted 7-strand conductor
Test 1 –tighten to manufacturer’s stated torque or, where none is
stated, as tabulated in BS EN 60947-1, and recheck torque after 24
hours.
Test 2 – simulate foreseeable movement of meter tails using a
‘flexion’ test, as described in BS EN 60947-1.
Test 3 – apply a tighter twist to the strands prior to connection and
apply procedures A and B below.
Test 4 – flatten the conductor (with pliers by hand) such that there is
14
Example of flattened 19-strand conductor
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
feature
Conclusions and next steps
It can be seen from the test results in table 1 that disturbing the
meter tails in a way foreseeable when changing an electricity meter is
likely to loosen the connection at the main isolating switch in a
consumer unit, to a greater or lesser extent. This is possibly due to
the individual conductor strands changing position within the
terminal space.
Flattening the conductors appeared to improve the effectiveness of
the connection, although it was concluded that this presented the
additional risk that terminals originally designed for 25 mm2
conductors would no longer accept this size after the conductors had
been prepared in this way.
Twisting the conductors gave variable results but had the additional
risk that terminals originally designed for 25 mm2 conductors would
no longer accept this size after the conductors had been prepared in
this way.
Whilst we wouldn’t expect meter tails to be routinely replaced during
the installation of a smart meter, unless they were seen to be visually
damaged or undersized, our investigations showed that 19-strand
conductors provided a more effective connection than those with
7-strands.
The results of the investigation confirm the Council’s view that the
tightness of meter tail connections in consumer units should be
checked after installing a smart meter (or other electricity meter),
where there is a risk of the meter tails being disturbed.
After sharing the findings of our investigation with the Association of
Meter Operators (AMO) and with other stakeholders, such as the
Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), Health and
Safety Executive (HSE) and Energy Networks Association (ENA), the
Council is hopeful that checking the tightness of meter tail
connections in consumer units on an individual risk assessment basis
will be included in the Meter Operator’s Code of Practice Agreement
(MOCOPA).
A copy of the laboratory report is available to view in the
‘industry section’ of the Council’s website: www.esc.org.uk
Table 1: Test results
Test 1
Test 2
Test 3*
Test 4**
Connections pulled out
3
9
1
1
Connections requiring
retightening to
original torque
7 out of remaining 15
10 out of remaining 11
10 out of remaining 15
4 out of remaining 14
*unable to terminate two conductors following preparation procedure
** unable to terminate three conductors following preparation procedure
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
15
technical
Fire resistance of cable supports
In 2005, two firefighters lost their lives when fighting a fire in
a block of flats in Stevenage, Hertfordshire. Whilst there were
a number of contributing factors to that tragic event, one of
the firefighters died when he became entangled in electric
cables that had fallen as a result of the plastic cable trunking
in which it was contained melting. The subsequent
investigation found that the firefighter had cable insulation
stuck on the palm of his glove, indicating that he had been
attempting to untangle himself as he died.
To meet requirements in BS 7671, and recommendations and
requirements of codes of practice for safety services (such as
emergency lighting and fire alarms), wiring systems should be
supported in a way that helps protect against such tragedies.
Example of a wiring system collapsed due to fire
Requirements applying to all wiring systems
The requirements of BS 7671 apply to all wiring systems of a
building, including those of distribution circuits and final circuits,
safety services, and data and communications services.
Regulation 527.1.2 requires wiring systems to be so installed that the
general building structural performance and fire safety are not
reduced. In the context of wiring systems, this implies that they
should be supported in such a way that, where appropriate (such as
in corridors, stairways and other escape routes), they will not collapse
when affected by a fire. As highlighted earlier, this could entangle a
person trying to escape from the building or a firefighter carrying out
a search and rescue operation and could cause injury or death.
The above requirement would be unlikely to be met by the sole use
of plastic cable clips, non-metallic cable ties or plastic trunking to
support wiring systems. Cables and any associated trunking, conduit
or cable tray should, wherever possible, be securely attached to
suitable fire-resistant parts of the building fabric, using appropriate
non-combustible fixings.
It should not be overlooked that Section 422 of BS 7671 also applies
in locations where particular risks of fire exist. This may be due to the
conditions of evacuation in an emergency, the nature of processed or
stored materials, or the combustibility of the building materials. This
Section includes certain requirements relating to the flammability
and fire resistance of wiring systems that have implications on the
supports for those wiring systems.
For safety services such as fire alarm and emergency lighting systems,
Regulation 560.8.1 requires, amongst other things, that the wiring
systems meet the requirements of the relevant code of practice
appropriate to the application.
16
Recommendations applying to fire alarm wiring systems
The recommendations of BS 5839-1:2002 + A2: 2008, Fire
detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Part 1: Code of
practice for system design, installation, commissioning and
maintenance, apply in addition to the requirements of BS 7671.
Clause 26.2(c) recommends that cable systems used for all parts of
the critical signal paths, and for the low voltage mains supply to
the system, should resist the effects of fire. Note 9 to that clause,
which was added after the two firefighters died in the Stevenage
fire, states that experience has shown that collapse of cables
supported only by plastic cable trunking can create a serious
hazard for firefighters, who could become entangled in the cables.
Also, clause 46.2(5), relating to inspections, states that
shortcomings in cable support that could result in collapse of a
significant length of cable in the event of fire might be regarded as
a major non-compliance.
To meet the recommendations of clause 26.2, methods of cable
support should be such that circuit integrity will not be reduced
below that afforded by the cable used, and should withstand a
similar temperature and duration to that of the cable, whilst
maintaining adequate support. In practice this means that fixings
for ‘standard’ fire resisting cables should survive for 30 minutes at
a nominal temperature of 850 ˚C without loss of integrity and
those for ‘enhanced’ fire resisting cables for 120 minutes at a
nominal temperature of 950 ˚C.
Recommendations applying to emergency lighting
wiring systems
The recommendations of BS 5266-1: 2011, Emergency lighting −
Part 1: Code of practice for the emergency lighting of premises, apply
in addition to the requirements of BS 7671.
Clause 8.2, relating to the wiring for central power supply systems,
identifies the need for wiring systems used for the connection of
emergency escape lighting luminaires to the standby power supply
to adequately resist the effects of fire and mechanical damage.
Clause 8.2.2 states that cable supports and fixings should be noncombustible, such that circuit integrity is not reduced below that
afforded by the cable used. A note to that clause states that, in
effect, this recommendation precludes the use of plastic supports
and fixings where these would be the sole means of supporting the
cable.
The supports should therefore be suitably selected and installed to
prevent collapse of the wiring system in the event of fire. Also, for
wiring systems listed in clause 8.2.2 as having an inherently high
resistance to attack by fire (which have a survival duration of 60
minutes or 120 minutes as appropriate when tested in accordance
with BS EN 50200: 2006) the supports should be suitable to
withstand a similar temperature and duration to that of the wiring
system, whilst maintaining adequate support.
Although the wiring system bringing the mains voltage supply to
self-contained emergency lighting luminaires is not covered by
clause 8.2 of BS 5266, it still has to comply with BS 7671. It should
therefore be supported in such a way that it will not collapse when
affected by a fire.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
technical
Have you ever
been asked...
can a microgeneration system provide
continuity of supply in the event of a
mains failure?
During the last year or so, there has been a significant increase in the
number of electrical installations in domestic premises in the UK that
have a microgeneration system, such as solar photovoltaic (PV), microwind and micro-hydro. Such a system provides a second source of supply
to the installation, in addition to that derived from public electricity
supply network. Some customers having, or a thinking of having, a
microgeneration system seem to believe that this system will provide
continuity of supply if and when the public supply fails. However, this is
not the case.
In response to increased concerns over the issue of global warming
and climate change, and in order to honour commitments made
under the Kyoto Protocol, the UK government enacted a number of
measures in the Climate Change Act 2008. Key targets within this
Act are:
•
•
to ensure that the net UK carbon account for the year 2050 is at
least 80% lower than the 1990 baseline
a reduction in emissions of at least 30% against the 1990
baseline by 2020.
At the European level, Directive 2009/28/EC, on the promotion of the
use of energy from renewable sources, contains a national overall
target for the UK of 20% for the share of energy from renewable
sources in gross final consumption of energy in 2020.
As a result of the above commitments, the UK government introduced
Feed-in Tariffs (FITs) to provide a financial incentive to encourage
uptake of microgeneration.
A number of customers having, or thinking of having, a
microgeneration system installed under the FITs scheme seem to
believe that by so doing they will have no loss of supply if and when
the public supply to their premises fails. This is not the case, however.
Any such microgenerators are designed to be operated in parallel with
the public supply and not as an alternative to it.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
?
If, in the event of a failure of the public supply, a microgenerator
remained connected to the public supply network, the voltage present
on the network cabling and equipment as a result of this could pose a
serious risk of electric shock to persons required to carry out repair or
maintenance activities on a seemingly de-energised network.
In BS 7671, Regulation 551.7.4 requires means of automatic switching
to be provided to disconnect the microgenerator from the public
electricity supply system in the event of loss of the supply from that
system or any deviation of the voltage or frequency at the supply
terminals beyond declared values. Furthermore, Regulation 551.7.5
requires means to be provided to prevent the connection of the
microgenerator to the public electricity supply system in the event of
such loss of supply or deviation of the voltage or frequency at the
supply terminals.
Detailed requirements relating to the above requirements of BS 7671
are given in the Energy Networks Association’s Engineering
Recommendation G83/1-1. Table 1 of clause 5.3.1 of G83/1-1 gives
the maximum range of trip settings and the maximum trip times for
the so-called ‘interface protection’, in relation to:
•
•
•
•
•
overvoltage
undervoltage
over frequency
under frequency
loss of mains.
Clause 5.3.3 of G83/1-1 requires that the above-mentioned means of
preventing connection of the microgenerator to the public electricity
supply system shall do so until the voltage and frequency of that
system have remained within the values given in Table 1 for at least
three minutes.
17
technical
Ensuring microgeneration systems are fit for purpose
As part of its drive to reduce CO2 emissions, the UK
government has promoted the installation of
microgeneration systems. There are types of microgeneration
system that produce heat (such as solar thermal systems)
and types that produce electricity.
Electricity-producing microgeneration systems supplement the
conventional large power stations with small-scale generators
located in consumers’ premises. These microgeneration systems
utilise a range of technologies, including photovoltaic (PV), sterling
engine-driven, wind-based and water-based (micro-hydro) systems.
Irrespective of the technology used, microgeneration offers the
advantages of zero or extremely low fuel costs and a reduction in
the transmission losses that occur in the national transmission of
electrical energy. This article explores the regulatory framework
surrounding the installation of a microgeneration system.
For many consumers, the main incentive for investing in a
microgeneration system has been the introduction of ‘feed in tariffs’
(FITs). These tariffs reward the consumer for using a microgeneration
system to produce energy, which may be used to supply a
proportion of the consumer’s own energy needs.
The structures of FITs are complex; the generation tariff and export
tariff offered to a consumer depend on both the type of technology
employed and the rating of the microgenerator.
The introduction of FITs led to a dramatic increase in the number of
microgeneration systems being installed. However, the installation of
a microgeneration system is a complex affair and the receipt of the
applicable financial incentives is conditional on the system
complying with the appropriate requirements.
The coalition government’s policies on regulations and green energy
are having an increasing impact on the world of microgeneration,
and many of the guidance documents referred to in this article have
recently been revised, are in the process of being revised, or are likely
to be revised in the near future.
18
In order to ensure that microgeneration systems conform to a
minimum standard, the Department of Energy and Climate Change
(DECC) introduced the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
This comprehensive scheme includes both a system for product
certification and a system of supervising competent person
accreditation schemes for installers of microgeneration systems.
Receipt of FIT payments is conditional on the installed
microgenerator system complying with the MCS requirements. To
ensure that, when purchasing a microgeneration system, consumers
are not subjected to unethical or unacceptable business practices,
the Renewable Energy Association has set up the REAL Assurance
Scheme, which has a Consumer Code that all MCS-certificated
contractors must agree to comply with.
For a particular form of microgeneration, there may be additional
requirements, the best known of these being given in the MSC
document The Installers Guide to Photovoltaic Installation, which
supersedes the DTI Guide to the Installation of PV Systems. This
document contains useful information relating to the design,
installation and commissioning of PV systems.
For microgenerators (generally characterised as being rated at up to
16 A per phase) to be connected to the public electricity supply
network, the installed equipment must satisfy the requirements of
the Distributed Generation Connection Guide G83/1-1, published by
the Energy Networks Association. This document is intended to
provide manufacturers and installers with guidance on the technical
aspects of connecting small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs) in
parallel with the public electricity supply network.
In order to access the funds available through FITs, the installer must
supply evidence to the Distribution Network Operator (DNO), within
30 days of commissioning the microgeneration system, that the
microgenerator installation complies with G83/1-1. G83/1-1 is
under review and will soon be replaced by G83/2.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
technical
For larger microgeneration schemes, above the 16A per phase
G83/1-1 limit, the requirements of ENA Connection Guide G59/2
usually apply instead of those of G83/1-1.
In recent years, the planning restrictions applying to the
installation of domestic microgeneration systems on the outside
of buildings have been relaxed, with the installation of some
forms of microgenerator being classed as permitted development.
However, this relaxation is unlikely to apply in conservation areas,
or to a listed building or to a building on a world heritage site. The
installation of a microgeneration system in one of these situations
will require planning permission and may require listed building
consent. Even when the work is classed as permitted
development, there may be some planning restrictions in force.
Therefore, before installing a microgeneration system it would be
prudent to check with the local planning office as to what
restrictions, if any, apply. Depending whether the property is in
England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, different legislation
will apply.
In England and Wales it is a statutory requirement that Building
Regulations are complied with. The following sections of the
Building Regulations may be applicable to the installation of a
microgeneration system and therefore, where applicable, need be
complied with:
Part A Structure.
Part B Fire Safety.
SwitchedOn Issue 24 Spring 2012
Part C Site preparation and resistance to contaminates and moisture.
Part E Resistance to the passage of sound.
Part L Conservation of fuel and power.
Part P Electrical Safety – dwellings.
Requirements relating to many of the electrical aspects of installing
microgeneration systems are included in BS 7671 (IET Wiring
Regulations 17th Edition) and, depending on the technology
employed, requirements of other standards such as BS EN 62446:
Grid connected photovoltaic systems – Minimum requirements for
system documentation, commissioning tests and inspection.
Finally, the contractor installing and maintaining a microgeration
system will need to comply with health and safety legislation.
Installers of these systems frequently face challenges regarding
manual handling, working at height and electrical safety.
For consumers who wish to receive the government funded financial
incentives available to those who have a microgeneration system
installed, a plethora of regulations have to be complied with, which
makes the installation of such equipment a job for experienced
professionals. The Microgeneration Certification Scheme includes the
recognition of several competent person registration schemes.
Employing an installer registered with an appropriate scheme should
go a long way towards ensuring that the installer is a competent
person able to comply with the regulations and guidance applicable
to the installation of microgenerators.
19
FREE ELECTRICAL SAFETY INFORMATION FOR
YOUR CUSTOMERS
he ESC has developed a range of
leaflets and DVDs to provide electrical
safety advice to homeowners, tenants and
landlords.
T
The purpose is to not only raise the profile
of the ESC amongst these target
audiences, but also to promote the
benefits of using installers registered with
government approved schemes.
Every year, on average 70 people die and
350,000 are seriously injured in domestic
electrical accidents in UK homes. To this
end, the ESC is continually trying to find
new and engaging ways of making
householders aware of the potential
dangers of electricity.
By providing essential electrical safety
information directly to consumers, the
Council can raise awareness of electrical
safety issues within the home.
To help reinforce this message, the Council
has produced a 10-minute DVD aimed at
those intending to buy, sell or renovate a
property. The DVD takes viewers around a
house to show them typical electrical
problems that can exist on older
properties.
The DVD, entitled Think electrics!, advises
people to ensure that the condition of the
electrical installation is checked by a
registered electrician before committing
themselves to a new property.
The ESC would be pleased to
supply 100 copies of either of
these DVDs to electricians
and other interested
parties free of charge, for
distribution to customers
and clients.
The ESC’s 25-minute Guide to electrical
safety DVD features a family and their
lodger embarking upon their daily routine.
Each part of the story views the day from a
different person’s perspective, and shows a
variety of electrical hazards that each of
them may face. By bringing the hazards to
life in the DVD, viewers can see how often
electricity features in their daily lives and
the potential, sometimes unexpected,
hazards that it can pose.
One of the key messages for householders
is for them to think about the condition of
their electrical installation- just because it
works; doesn’t mean that it is safe.
BACK ISSUES OF SWITCHED ON
20
Please email leaflets@esc.org.uk to
request copies or for further
information.
Leaflets can be downloaded free of
charge from the Council’s website at
www.esc.org.uk, where a number of
safety videos can also be viewed.
All the previous issues of Switched On are available to read or download from the
‘Business & Community’ section of our website.