- Coming up on this week's news.
Hopes are dashed as the government rules
on who can break the seal on the service head.
Sales of backup power systems soar
as businesses fear a wave of blackouts this winter.
And twin electricians who are conjoined
reveal that they're paid just one salary for two people.
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 has ruled that qualified electricians
will not be allowed to break the seal on the service head.
The industry has been arguing for months for the right
to cut the incoming power to a property
by removing the service fuse.
This would allow the faster installation of EV chargers,
heat pumps, and other renewable tech.
It would make it easier and faster
to upgrade multiple residences, such as apartment blocks.
And it would cut the incentive
for unauthorized trades people to break the seal.
The regulator Ofgem ruled this week
that specialist contractors
accredited by their local regional electricity company
would now have the right to access the service head.
But despite all the argy-bargy, it stopped short
of allowing all qualified electricians that power.
Previously, the customer had to ask the energy company
to turn off the electricity.
The rule change comes in from next June.
Registration body NAPIT welcome the relaxing of the rules
as a step in the right direction.
It says the change will help shorten wait times
and cut the number of unauthorized fuse removals.
But NAPIT says it's ultimate aim is to win the right
to break the seal for all suitably qualified electricians.
If you need the full details of the ruling,
I pop the link in the show notes.
Another rule change this month
concerns the installation of electric vehicle charge points.
From the end of the year,
electricians will have to provide tamper protection
of the charging devices if it doesn't come as standard
with the product.
And they can only install charges
which protect the homeowner's data.
If the EV point you want to install no longer complies
with the new regs, you'll have to seek prior approval
from the office for product safety and standards.
I've popped the link into the notes again.
One compliant EV charger you could use
is the latest model from GoodWe.
The product is designed to work
with the company's integrated solar panels
and comes in either single or three phase.
There are three power options
seven kilowatts, 11 kilowatts, and 22 kilowatt.
The clever unit uses smart charging management
which allows the inverter to prioritize the charging
of the EV's battery over other appliances.
In other product news, a London firm
has become the first in the world
to 3D print lights from wood.
"Hagen Hinderdael prints the Cocoon range
of pendant luminaires and table lamps
from sawdust bound together with a plant-based resin."
Once after the printer,
each piece is hand stained and finished.
It can be colored to resemble a variety of wood species
including natural, oak, teak, and walnut.
The lights will set you back a cool 1,800 pounds.
Who says going green is cheap?
Honestly, what's next?
Sockets made out of halloumi?
In other news, sales of backup power systems are soaring
as fears grow that the UK could be hit
by a wave of blackouts this winter.
National Grid and the energy companies
are warning of potential power cuts
caused by supply fears following the war in the Ukraine.
And the government's worst case scenarios
estimate that energy systems could be severely disrupted
for up to a week.
The ECA has now stepped in.
It's organizing a team to support its members
who are being asked to design
and install emergency power systems.
The ECA's senior technical boss Gary Parker
says his members and their clients
are facing a tough winter.
That's because of an unprecedented combination
of factors including surging demand, supply concerns,
and a cost of living crisis.
He says, "It's worth remembering
that the UK's electricity network
is one of the most reliable in the world."
"However, it is important to be prepared
for all eventualities," he says.
And electrical contractors will be on the frontline
if emergency power cuts do occur.
Those deemed most at risk
for the effect of winter power cuts
include pensioners, care home residents,
and people in sheltered housing schools and other buildings,
which may not have energy contingency plans in place.
Also working to keep the lights on
are the electricians of the Ukraine.
They have a massive task on their hands restoring power
after Russian missiles hammered
the country's electricity network.
In the area east of Mykolaiv,
some 90% of homes have been without electricity
for nine months.
And many of the energy companies trucks
have been destroyed by artillery.
The guys and girls are working as fast as they can
in below freezing conditions.
And they have another problem,
they have to avoid thousands of landmines
left by the departing Russians.
It definitely puts our Monday mornings here in the UK
into context, isn't it?
Electricians have been receiving further praise this week.
This time, closer to home.
A survey of homeowners has revealed
that sparks are rated the highest out of all trades
for their perceived value.
My Local Toolbox analyzed over 10,000 reviews
to understand what matters most to customers
and which trades are most popular.
Electrical contractors are third best
at returning telephone calls and messages
and are also in the top five for punctuality.
So give yourselves a well earned pat on the back.
And don't forget,
if you are really feeling the love of your customers,
why not get some official recognition for it?
The eFIXX Awards are now open and we are on the hunt
for installers who inspire devotion in their customers.
Best of all, entries are absolutely free
until Friday, the 14th of January, 2023.
All you need to know is on the eFIXX Awards website
and I've popped the link in the show notes.
And finally, is this a case of employment discrimination?
Conjoined twins, Sohna and Mohna Singh work as electricians
in then Native India, but the pair have revealed
that they are only paid one salary between them.
The 19 year olds say they earn just 200 pounds a month
from the Punjab State Power Corporation,
the pay of one qualified person.
They worked 12 hour shifts
looking after the supply control room.
They also worked together on a bench
to repair electrical equipment.
The siblings were born with two hearts
two kidneys, and two spinal cords,
as well as two pairs of arms,
but they share one set of legs.
Doctors decided that separating the twins
could potentially kill one of them.
Sadly, the pair were then abandoned by their parents
and raised in a shelter for destitute children.
However, Sohna and Mohna were determined
to make something of themselves.
They excelled at schoolwork
and eventually obtained a diploma in electrical studies.
Locals in the Punjab say the sparks are an inspiration
and deserve a decent wage each.
And we have to say that we wholeheartedly agree.
That's it for this week.
But make sure you'll subscribe to our YouTube channel
as this week we've got some great content dropping
including scissors from Knipex
or electricians shears as we call 'em in the trade.
And blowing up a storm,
a super efficient vapor proof light
from Lumineux called the Typhoon.
We've also got a news at Penn end of year special
where we take our lighthearted look back
at some of the highs and lows of 2022,
along with all the usual fun games
across our social media platforms.
If you think you know the words I've smuggled
into this week's show, pop your guesses
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 Grinch and doppelganger.
The latter forcing me to switch
up the intro to the podcast a little bit
which made it stick out like I sore thumb.
So it's not surprising that many people spotted it,
but the first person to do so was kevy427.
So, well done to you.
Please click the link
in the description below to claim your prize.
Thanks 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 year.
Have a great week.
Stay safe out there.
And remember, there's no such thing
as a tort calibrated arm.