- Coming up on this week's news,
the government warns electrical contractors
not to install Chinese made CCTV cameras.
Campaigners save London's famous gas lamps
from conversion to LED,
and a record number of electricians say
they're going to work on Christmas Day
because of the cost of living crisis.
Welcome to Electrical News Weekly
in association with myenergi.
Whether you're listening in the van, on site
or down at the wholesale counter,
I'm Joe Robinson and I've been through the best
of the electrical industry news to save you the trouble.
And as always, if you think you've spotted
the two words that I've been challenged to
slip into this week's show, comment with them below
for the chance to win a prize.
The government is warning electrical contractors
not to install Chinese made CCTV cameras and systems.
Ministers say they're becoming increasingly concerned
about the security risk posed by
Chinese state controlled surveillance systems
watching British streets and buildings.
It's believed that two thirds of UK public bodies
use CCTV systems that are made
in the People's Republic of China.
This week, the government ordered all it's departments
and locations to halt the deployment of any such equipment.
Kavanaugh office minister Oliver Dowden
has specifically named cameras from big manufacturers
including Hikvision and Dahua.
However, Hikvision has hit back.
It said it is categorically false to represent the company
as a threat to national security.
It says it wants to urgently meet with UK officials
to understand the decision and to clear up
any misunderstandings about its business.
The firm says it cannot view its customers videos.
And just a little interesting bit of trivia for you here,
It was a Hikvision CCTV camera, which captured
Matt Hancock's infamous canoodle with an assistant
which cost him his job as Health Secretary.
The suspect who leaked the footage has never been caught.
Another planned deployment of Eastern technology
on the streets of the UK has been
effectively halted this week.
Westminster Council has announced that it will
not replace its historic gas lamps with LED lighting.
The move follows a campaign by the Heritage Group,
the London Gasketeers,
yes, that is a real organization,
and the GMB Union.
The local authority was due to replace
almost 200 gas street lamps and had changed 30 over
before the campaign got going.
It says that gas lamps are becoming increasingly
difficult to maintain.
They're putting safety at risk
and they're bad for the environment.
However, the council is now pledging to keep
138 grade two, listed gas lamps
while 36 non-listed lamps will also remain.
94 non-listed gas lamps will still be upgraded to LEDs.
GMB chief Andy Prendergast congratulated
Westminster Council on its climb down.
He said the decision preserves an important part
of London's history ahead of the festive tourist season.
So will you be admiring the Capital's gas lamps
over the festive period or spending time
with family and friends?
Well, according to a recent survey, an increasingly
large number of you will be on the tools.
In fact, one in five electricians has told researchers
from IronmongeryDirect that they'll be working
on Christmas Day itself.
And two in five say they'll work on one of
the bank holidays, such as Boxing Day or New Year's Day.
The Sparks say they want to maximize their earnings
to help with the rising cost of living.
On average, electricians say they're planning
to take five days off this December.
However, they're unlikely to kick back
with a chocolate orange in front of Netflix.
Apparently, that's a thing.
One in six reveals, that their friends
and family have already got jobs lined up
for them to do around the house.
There's no rest for Sparks in Australia either.
Electrical contractors down under are run off their feet
as the country moves at breakneck speed towards
renewable energy sources.
In fact, OZ needs to find electrically qualified people
to fill up to 12,000 vacancies in the next two years.
The Australian and New Zealand
Standard Classification of Occupations
lists electricians as one of the key skills
wanted by the government.
You'll also need to be under 45, have adequate English
and you and your family need to be
in good health and of good character.
If you are interested in a place in the sun,
I've popped the link to the
Australian Immigration Department in the show notes.
Keep us posted on how that one goes, folks.
If immigration is not your thing
but you'd like a virtual place in the sun
then we can help with that too,
because the eFIXX Awards are looking to celebrate
installers who specialize in commercial and industrial jobs.
If that's you, then simply log onto the website
and tell us why you should be the installer of the year.
Early bird entries are free until Friday the 14th
of January, 2023, so you better get moving.
Again, I've put a link in the show notes.
And there's been a major shakeup in the
Welsh government's regulations on rented properties.
Since the 1st of December, you can now submit
electrical installation certificates
instead of electrical installation condition reports
for newly built homes in Wales that are being
used as rental properties.
Previously, a new property being used
for rental purposes would need to have an EICR issued
even if there was a current EIC in place.
But now the Welsh government has changed the regs
to allow EICs to act as proof of a safe installation
following lobbying from the industry.
Frank Bertie, the Chief Technical Officer at NAPIT,
welcomed the news.
He said that an EIC by a qualified person
confirms the installation is compliant and safe.
The regs also place new legal requirements
on private landlords in relation to
smoke and carbon monoxide alarms.
Again, check out the link in the show notes
for more details.
Now, a different reason to celebrate.
Since 1992, RF Solutions have built millions
of remote control systems, having grown to become
the largest manufacturer of wireless
switching solutions in the UK.
Operating from a 20,000 square foot purpose built facility
they manufacture solutions for remote switching,
anything from outdoor lighting and garage door motors
to roller shutter doors and industrial machinery.
This December, they celebrate their 30th year anniversary.
To celebrate the occasion, RF Solutions are giving
12 installers the chance to win a free RF beer pack.
This contains a limited edition RF Solutions beer glass
and two free Ukrainian lagers that I have
no idea how to pronounce.
To enter their prize draw, send an image, video
or message congratulating RF Solutions
on their 30 year anniversary.
You can share your message with them
via any of their social channels.
Their handle is @RFSolutionsLimited
or via email to News@RFSolutions.co.uk.
You have until one o'clock on the 16th of December
to share your message in order to win.
12 installers will be selected from all entries
and shipped an RF beer pack in the post.
No doubt if you win, you'll enjoy a little Boogie Woogie.
Lighting brand Megaman is shipping a low cost version
of its TEGO 2 LED downlight.
The TEGO Slim is fire rated for 30, 60 and
90 minute ceilings and has a depth of just 70 mil.
It's dimmable, has a beam angle of 90 degrees
and features a simple push fit connection.
It's available in a warm color temperature
of 2,800 Kelvin and a cool one of 4,000 Kelvin.
Expect to pay under 50 pounds
for a TEGO Slim at your usual wholesaler.
And finally, have you ever had the dreaded call
from a customer telling you that everything
in their smart home has stopped working?
It usually turns out that the client has changed the router.
This means you now must find all the passwords
and reconnect all the lights, cameras, doorbells
and other devices back to the internet.
Except that you don't.
Gordon's got a smart hack to get you out of trouble
and save you hours of programming.
Check it out in his video special.
I've put the link in the show notes.
That's it for this week.
But coming up on our YouTube channel in the next few days,
I review the Marshall-Tufflex Sterling Curve data trunking.
Gordon takes a close look at a serious bit
of crimping kit from Klauke.
Seriously, that thing is an absolute beast.
And the dynamic duo are reunited as Gary and Gordon
put the Knipex scissors through their paces.
Gary starts the video off as a skeptic.
So tune in to see if he changes his mind.
If you think you know the words I've smuggled
into this week's show, pop your guess into the comments
and we'll dig out a goody bag prize
to the first to get the right answers.
Last week's words were Rabbi and donuts.
So well done if you didn't fall for the double bluff
of me just telling you out rightly what the word was.
And the first person to spot both was someone
by the name of Realist Real.
Again, doubtful, that's what your parents recorded
on your birth certificate,
but well done for getting them right,
and click the link in the description to claim your prize.
Thank you for listening to this episode
of Electrical News Weekly in association with myenergi.
Make sure you subscribe to receive the next update.
Thanks for listening, and until next time,
have a great week.
Stay safe out there.
And remember, there's no such thing
as a taught calibrated arm.