- Coming up on this week's news, a young man dies
in the shower after an unqualified electrician fails
to install earth bonding.
Wireless electric car chargers
are finally coming to a street near you
and we reveal the winners of the 2023 eFIXX Awards.
Welcome to Electrical News Weekly
in association with SCAME.
Whether you're listening
in the van, onsite 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 spotted the two words
I've been challenged to slip into this week's show,
comment with them below for the chance to win a prize.
A young man with his whole life ahead of him
was electrocuted in the shower
after touching live pipe work.
Mustafa Ozbek died in January 2020 in a backroom
at Adams Cafe and Restaurant in London Road, Croydon.
An investigation has revealed
that the failure to ensure adequate earth bonding
for the shower was the work of an unqualified electrician.
Croydon Magistrates' Court heard that the owner
of the Cafe, Sukran Sanli,
paid for electrical work to be carried out
on the premises by the unqualified tradesman.
First in 2016, and then again in 2019,
just four months before the fatal incident.
Crydon Council investigations told the court
that Mr. Ozbek's electrocution occurred
because there was no main earth connection
to the incoming electrical supply.
When a fault occurred on the circuit,
the fuse did not operate to cut off the electricity.
This caused the metal pipe work
in the shower room to become live with mains voltage,
which resulted in his death.
Two health and safety executive inspectors
visited the premises
and prepared a report regarding the electric circuits.
They had a competent electrical contractor carry out
a full inspection of the installation.
The overall assessment was unsatisfactory with a number
of items being identified as potentially dangerous.
Sanli pleaded guilty to four charges, two against her,
and two against her company relating
to offenses under the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974.
Magistrates ordered her to pay 60,000 pounds
in fines and costs.
Sanli also received a 26-week suspended prison sentence
and was ordered to undertake 200 hours of community work.
In other news, Irish lighting firm ROBUS
is entering the consumer unit market.
It's just bought the Scottish manufacturer FuseBox.
FuseBox has won the hearts
of many contractors in recent years
for its easy-to-install and keenly priced units.
The company will remain independent and will still be led
by founder Robin Forsyth, but it will be able to draw
on the resources and skills of its new parent.
Another corporate deal clinch this week
will see wireless electric vehicle chargers
finally coming to UK streets.
ABT e-Line
and American charge point manufacturer WiTricity
have teamed up to bring the innovative devices
to the European market.
It's expected that in early 2024,
the first EV owners will be able to simply drive
over a contactless charger,
which will power up their battery
as quickly as a plugin charger would.
The first car capable
of using the kit will be the Volkswagen ID.4.
Models to follow include the Audi e-Tron GT,
the Porsche Taycan, and the Volkswagen ID. Buzz.
WiTricity boss Alex Gruzen said the move
would make charging as easy as parking
but the wireless kit will have some competition
in the shape of a new charger from Balfour Beatty.
It has unveiled the Urban Fox, a retractable charge point
that disappears into the pavement when not in use.
The seven kilowatt unit is compatible
with all electric vehicles on the market.
It's aimed at local authorities who want
to provide power to residents without a garage or a drive.
It's already been tested on the streets of Oxford, Dundee,
Plymouth, and Staffordshire.
Balfour Beatty tell us
that they want to roll out some 35,000 units
across the UK over the coming decade.
Another technology breakthrough this week
has been reported by electricians working
at UK Power Networks.
They've come up with a method of stopping power cuts
at homes before they happen.
Often small transient faults occur
on low voltage circuits several times
before an actual outage occurs.
By using sensitive equipment to detect these transients,
the technicians can identify where
and when a full fault will become permanent.
They can then trace and repair it.
The new approach is proving a huge success.
Already the team reckons they prevented 150 power cuts
from happening.
They're also installing equipment called Bedoing reclosures
which restore supplies automatically
after a transient fault.
And no, they're not my challenge words for this week.
That will be way too easy.
And now, drum roll please.
Up until last week, they were as ethereal as a silhouette.
But finally, the winners
of the 2023 eFIXX awards have been unveiled.
No fewer than seven electrical contractors have walked
off stage holding shiny trophies aloft,
Wigan-based KDM Electrical
has been named the residential installer of the year.
As well as being ultra professional,
this company provides free service to charities
and those whose electrics have been left in a state
by rogue traders, a worthy winner indeed.
The EV installer of the year is Haywood EV of Hertfordshire.
The judges cited their incredible range
of ambitious projects and their developing technology.
The lighting installer of the year
is the super slick Glasgow-based M3 Electrical.
Taking the gong for the industrial sector
for their workmanship on complex projects
is UK Electrical Services Rail.
And the smart home winner is Epixx from Lancashire.
This company develops their own software
to help their customers save energy.
Two Essex firms triumphed
in the last two installer categories.
WFP, Fire, Security and Electrical took the data
and security category for their commitment to quality.
While Deege Solar was described as an outstanding firm
and named renewables installer of the year.
And the wholesaler of the year was also from Essex,
the AT&T branch in Chelmsford.
AT&T took the award for their work in giving back
to the local community.
They support learners from their local college
by providing high quality work experience opportunities
for students, and they host trade days for them as well.
Well done to all our winners.
You can see the full list, including the 30 under 30 roster
of young talent via the link in the show notes.
And by the way,
now is the time to consider your entry for next year.
And finally, a seagull which had become trapped
beneath an installation of solar panels on the roof
of a house in Oxford has been rescued by fire crews.
The bird became stuck on top of a house in Old Marston.
The RSPCA and firefighters operating
on a hydraulic platform untangled the gull
and then used a net to safely remove it from the situation.
It's reported that once freed,
our feathered friend then happily flew in a zigzag,
no doubt back towards the seaside.
Who doesn't like a happy ending?
Now, just before we get to your favorite bit
of the show where I reveal last week's challenge words
and winners, we want to thank our premium partners.
We couldn't make the news without you.
First up for all your circuit protection needs,
they're like having an Italian star striker
in your Premiership team, it's Lewden Palazzoli.
And the best thing to come out of Yorkshire
since stainless steel, it's Doncaster Cables, the home
of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and quality cables.
And one of the biggest lighting companies
in the world because they're capital is always Dublin.
It's Irish lighting manufacturer ROBUS,
home of great quality and innovative lighting products.
Big thanks to you all.
We really appreciate your ongoing support for the news.
Now, 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 goodie bag prize
to the first to get the right answers.
Last week's words were fuchsia and wizardry.
Apparently the Rising s sap of springtime has affected some
of the more suggestible members
of the challenge words committee.
However, the first person to get both correct
was someone who apparently only needs to go
by a first name, very much the Rihanna of YouTube comments.
Well done to you, Hayley.
Make sure you click the link
in the description to claim your prize.
Coming up on our social channels,
it's a livestream week
and this time, we're welcoming the good people
from EnviroVent as guests.
In order to warm yourselves up for the show,
why not check out the two free training packages
on ventilation that we've made with them?
If you think ventilation is not something
that sparks need to be interested in, you're in for a shock.
We've also got all the usual Q&A, shorts
and knowledge videos dropping
so make sure you stay tuned for all of that.
And as always, at this time of year,
we'd like to issue our formal apology
to anyone in the industry who is panicking
after watching our video released on April the 1st.
Just to make sure we've covered our backs,
the cable being used
in the video is not becoming the new standard.
BS6004 cable is not being withdrawn.
Gary would never clip a cable diagonally,
nor fix a back box with a cable clip,
nor fix a cable with a staple through the center
of the cable.
Mineral-insulated cable is not
becoming the de facto standard
for installations in Scotland.
Also, a quick Google search would suggest
that BS EN 12712 relates to plastic jerricans.
Somehow it's become my job to be the elder statesman figure
for the business and apologize for any inconvenience caused
by the two cheeky rapscallions responsible.
Safe to say their biscuit privileges
have been temporarily revoked while they sit
in the corner and think about what they've done.
Thanks for listening to this episode
of Electrical News Weekly in association with SCAME.
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 torque calibrated arm.