coming up on this week's news a leading switch gear maker has warned the trade over the selection  of RCDs for heat pumps ford offers free charger installs for UK electric car buyers and IKEA start  selling heat pumps welcome to Electrical News Weekly 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 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  switch gear maker Doepke has added its voice to the current conversation in the trade over  RCDs and heat pumps in an advisory by technical manager Chaz Andrews the company says installers  who have not been involved in commercial or industrial applications before may not have  had experience with this type of equipment or the application of type B RCDs it's echoed the  warning that type B RCDs may trip unexpectedly when subjected to leakage currents above 1 kHz  or worse the detection circuit may be blinded this will result in the device not detecting residual  currents under fault conditions that's because under current standards type B RCDs don't provide  protection above that frequency in heat pumps the inverter can operate at 16 kHz and beyond it  can even exceed 20 kHz if there's incorrect TMC protection or high supply harmonics Doepke says  this is a recognised issue for larger inverter applications in industrial installations it's  created original graphs to illustrate the issue the brand's type B RCCBs by contrast will operate  up to 150 kHz far beyond even the VDE standard the company has produced a typeB RCD application guide  and I've put the download link in the show notes in other news training provider JTL has warned  that the number of skilled electricians in the UK could drop by a third in just over a decade unless  urgent action is taken the firm which trains 8,000 apprentices every year says that there's already  a dramatic decline in the electrical workforce it says it's fallen by 26% since 2018 it dropped from  214,000 to 158,000 and it warns that the shortage could threaten essential services from house  building to transport despite a recent uptick in apprenticeship starts the current level around 7 a  half thousand per year is insufficient to replace those retiring or those quitting the trade the  organisation says that to stabilise the profession and reduce the deleterious effects over 10,500 new  starts are needed annually i'll put a link to the full report in the show notes ford has announced  that it will provide free charger installs for UK electric car buyers it's the first auto brand  to offer such a service the package includes an Ohme home charger and full installation at  the customer's property the deal will also give EV drivers a home energy bonus of up to 10,000  miles of no cost charging if they sign up to the intelligent Octopus Go tariff it's expected  that connection work will be subcontracted to electricians on the Ohme approved installer  network if the Ford offer is successful other car makers are expected to follow suit like a  team of frogmen i've put a link to the program in the show notes while Ford is offering EV chargers  IKEA has gone one better by announcing that it's selling heat pumps the Swedish flogger of flat  packs famous for its Billy bookcases is marketing both air to air and air to water heat pumps the  company says that to ensure that installations are safe of high quality and comply with all the  regulations the heat pumps are always installed by certified installers currently the units are on  sale in Germany and Spain other European countries including the UK could follow suit in product news  Connexbox has announced that the grey Wagobox is not being discontinued company boss and former  electrician Ray Brewer is the original designer and maker of the popular enclosure instead they  are being rebranded and will now be sold under the Connexbox name the rebrand marks a strategic  decision by the brand to operate independently the firm has been making the product 17 years  and Wago handled the distribution Connexbox says it's now taking control of the product line and  its future direction it says the boxes will be the same enclosures made by the same team to  the same high standards as part of this exciting new chapter Connexbox is proud to introduce its  latest innovation the Connexbox JBX Pro enclosure featuring versatile cable grippers a convenient  lift up end opening and full BS7671 compliance the JBX Pro is designed for electricians who  want to work faster safer and with complete confidence charge-m8 has announced that Clenergy  EV software now integrates seamlessly with its innovative Libra load balancing device  instead of allocating a set amount of power to a building's EV chargers Libra cleverly allows you  to dynamically use any available power when the building is running below its maximum use libra  also features out-of-the-box integration with the Clenergy charge point management app as well  as integration with sub-zone load management and individual phase monitoring to commission it you  simply use the touchscreen charge-m8 appeared on last week's episode of eFIXX TV and it was  a brilliant show masterfully hosted by the one and only Joe 3PO Hammond but don't worry if you  missed it it's still available on catchup you'll find a link in the show notes it really is worth  a watch now welcome to our electrical news weekly feature where we focus on a specific  product area this week we're sounding the alarm for fire safety and security AJAX has unveiled  a range of five detectors with a different set of sensors the Fire Protect 2 AC comes in either  heat smoke carbon monoxide or a combination the mains powered units include a battery backup the  smart bracket mounting panel has been reinvented to make installation easier the panel consists of  a mounting part and a protective lid in order to keep the installer safe from direct contact  with electrical wiring the lever actuated Wago 221 connectors inside the smart bracket can be  easily removed and switch back during the wiring so there's no need to disassemble the enclosure or  use a screwdriver at all AJAX reckons it takes just 90 seconds to install the detector now if  you're looking for smart certified solutions that keep your installs compliant and professional then  Trench Limited have some serious kit on offer check out the Pyro Plug Magic Box ideal for  cable trays up to 600 mil with fire ratings up to EI90 and an easy retrofit design that  saves you hassle on site pair that with the Pyro plug block and Pyro NG foam for flexible EN1366-3  tested ceiling options across cable and pipe penetrations and don't miss the brand new Pyroline  rapid PLM fireproof trunking system available in white or pregalvanised with an inch lining fast  fix and patented internal connection system these innovations help maintain fire stopping integrity  when it matters most ticking all the right boxes for modern safety focused installations Legrand's  easy path mechanical devices provide compliant fire stopping for power and data cable management  kit they're easy to fit and don't require a specialist fire contractor the automatic fire  stop system is suitable for any structure from concrete walls to lightweight partitions the  good news is that easy path can now be installed directly onto the brand swift cable tray or cable  steel wire cable tray in conjunction with a fire rated mineral wool coated bat Legrand has produced  a colourful and clear installation guide to walk you through the steps you need to take for fire  safety compliance i've put a download link in the show notes CED Electrical Group has a huge range  of smoke heat and carbon monoxide detectors and alarms all under the Axium brand the battery units  feature a 10-year lithium cell while the mains powered versions boast a 9 volt battery backup  they pair seamlessly with each other and up to 40 other alarms they feature a sound pattern to ISO  8201 many have ceiling mounted brackets for easy mounting and finally a wireless remote control  allows you to locate test and silence the units hispec has announced that pulse retrofit alarms  have achieved the prestigious BSI kite mark the company says the certification followed months  of rigorous testing engineering and commitment to safety the Pulse range seamlessly integrates  with both Hispec and other manufacturer bases in fact Hispec says it fits around 95% of the  social housing market this means installers can upgrade their fire safety systems without the  need for full replacements that's our electrical news weekly roundup of products or people we think  deserve some attention next week we're feeling the cool breeze of HVAC and it's finally arrived this  week's CEF live show is set to be the highlight of the electrical trades calendar the show  takes place at the National Exhibition Center in Birmingham on Thursday the 5th of June and Friday  the 6th of June we'll be there of course Gary and Gordon will be at the LED Group stand on Thursday  that's the powerhouse behind Robus Fusebox and ATC hosting a series of live chats interviews and  debates they'll be tackling real world questions electricians face every day sharing tips on how to  grow a successful contracting business and shining a spotlight on the next generation of electricians  special guests joining them include Theo Webster Kimmy the Spark and Griff Thomas while you're  there make sure to check out the new Fusebox F3 the feature-packed Robus Speed Beam Plus and the  energy efficient ATC Almeria panel heater on Friday attention turns to darts as Gary and  Joe head over to the Marshall Tufflex stand you can meet world champion Phil Taylor and take on  fellow dart star Mark Dudbridge in a beat the pro challenge top prize is a red letter day  experience if darts isn't your thing there's also a scaleextric trek you'll also be able to check  out Marshall Tufflex's cable management kit such as the basor range of cable trays the fast fix  basket and the conduit range with 50% recycled plastic it'll be me OG Joe who's joining Gary  that day so if you'd like to come over and say hello you're more likely to find me at the Scale  Electric Trek as I can't play darts to save my life JCC is on stand 11.27 and they'll be  introducing the new Line of Light range this is a sleek modular linear lighting system for seamless  integration in locations such as hospitality retail and offices it's got high efficiency  and uniform light distribution and there's a huge range of luminaires to choose from the  X50 fire rated down light offers selectable wattage and colour temperatures it's got a  secure plug-and-play connection and easy access terminals for insulation resistance testing JCC  will also be giving a sneak peek of its upcoming ranges it's all happening on stand 11.27 Wera  Tools will be showing its new safe torque speed VDE screwdrivers on stand 11.6 the safe element  is provided by a slipover mechanism which ensures that the selected torque cannot be exceeded you  can set five torque values and also have a fixed position for conventional screwdriving it boasts  a fast rotating sleeve for easy use the company is also launching the 410i RA ratcheting T- handles  these work with the brand's 3/8 inch VDE sockets and accessories power tool accessory specialist  Armeg is on stand 9.33 where it will have four demo areas for its drilling and driving kit best  of all it's offering some special lightning deals at the show three of these will be products in its  popular carabiner belt loop bit holder sets the final deal is the Armeg versus Velocity Progear  Drill Pod Pro this is an organiser for all your drill accessories and includes the newly released  Impact Masonry Plus bits these stubby bits have fast spoil clearance and a stop feature for  specific depths there'll also be surprise freebie deals and bonus giveaways so get yourself to stand  9.33 specialist wiring accessories part of the Shoal Group is on stand 11.3 where you can get  special show pricing including for its acclaimed Storm Glands there'll be a full range of SWA kit  on display from tools glands fixings to live demos the company will be giving away free EasyLock  cable market kits to a limited number of early visitors each day each kit is worth over 65 quid  so if you want one you'll need to be fast SWA is also hunting the fastest crimper at the exhibition  all you have to do is prep and crimp a solar MC4 connector onto a solar cable in the fastest  time to in a BCT10300C handheld battery powered crimping tool it's worth taking part because that  tool will set you back over 1,500 quid runners up will bag a solar tool starter kit Linian is at the  show on stand 9.61B as well as its standard range of twin and earth clips and earth rods it'll be  showing its latest innovation the cable tray clip Linian says This saves over 90% time on cable tray  installs it replaces stainless steel ties and you can use it with any brand or size of tray there'll  be live demos a selection of Scottish treats to celebrate the firm's 10th anniversary and they'll  be giving away Earth Rod Pro kits to the first five visitors to the stand each day i genuinely  and this is the honest truth hope that they have some haggis and that they save some for me.  Delicious stuff EV charger maker Rolec is on stand 10.7 where you'll see its shiny range in both AC  and DC variants the company is also inviting installers to take on its bean bag throwing  challenge where there's three EVO chargers up for grabs every day there'll also be live demos  of its Rolec Connect app which gives plug-in point installers site survey tools an augmented  reality visualiser and a lead manager there's also Barista Coffee Rolec merch and you can  learn about becoming a Rolec approved installation partner Scame UK will unveil no fewer than three  new ranges at CEF Live these include the Iconer series of industrial consumer units the bespoke  ATX Zenith range and the EMC isolator series the company is also promoting the assembly of its  compact EXGD series which is now in the UK best of all Scame says it will give a 250 CEF voucher  to a randomly selected visitor to its stand ABB Electrification will be showcasing the latest in  its commercial building tech at the show you'll be able to discuss its smart energy distribution and  critical electrical infrastructure safety systems as well as home automation and emergency lighting  and of course get answers to your queries from ABB experts on the stand you can also jump in the  latest ABB Formula E race simulator and those who do the fastest laps will win tickets to the London  EP pre in July Enphase is on stand 46 in Hall 9 and will be showcasing its IQ range which includes  EV chargers batteries and system controllers it'll also be displaying its IQ8 micro inverters which  are designed for fast flexible installations with high-powered solar modules their plug-and-play  design reduces setup time and built-in rapid shutdown ensures code compliance the IQ Battery  5P delivers 5 kW hours of usable capacity with six embedded micro inverters for high output  and reliability its modular AC coupled design makes it easy to scale and install and you can  commission it fast through the Enphase app in the works is the IQ system controller which is set to  streamline solar battery and grid integration with a pre-wired all-in-one enclosure it's designed to  support whole or partial home backup and simplify interconnection and load control on stand 11.24  Wiska UK will be showing off its new TriShot cable gland this features a built-in seal IP68  protection and a wide clamping range of between 6 and 14 mil it's a super sustainable product which  achieves a 55% reduction in carbon footprint compared to standard polyomide glands the Wiska  experts will be demonstrating it on the stand along with the brand's Combi Junction boxes  Sprint Cable glands and more and keep a lookout for Wiska goodie bags Aurora Lighting stand number  63 in Hall 9 is set to be busy for a start it's showcasing three distinct brands for all budgets  there's Enlight your essentials lighting range Aurora the quality and service orientated lighting  brand and Europole which is tailored architectural lighting and which is making its debut at the show  the products cover key applications including residential retail office education industrial  and outdoor you can also see the new Chromaflex LED strip range the latest clear view lamp which  is switchable colour temperature and the Sarin EV charger a visit wouldn't be complete without  taking part in Aurora's racing challenge this features a top prize of a 250 pound red letter  day experience and finally you can meet Aurora ambassador Ryan Davis from R Davis Electrical who  will be on the stand on Friday to demonstrate his favourite Aurora kit told you it was a busy stand  Hive also looks set to be busy on stand 24 in Hall 9 it's showing all their smart kit including  EV chargers solar panels heat pumps and battery packs the company is also promising big discounts  on its thermostats you can also speak to the team about Hives Installer Club by joining you'll enjoy  exclusive rewards free online training and accreditation and tech support so if you're  one of those electricians who has installed kit in one of the 2 million homes in the UK running  Hive then this is the club for you as an extra incentive electricians who sign up will be in with  a chance to win tickets to see Oasis the focus on the MK stand will of course be the iconic Rapid  Fix the UK's first 13 amp double sockets with screwless terminations if you're not familiar  with the Logic Plus Rapid Fix and quite frankly how could you not be check out the video that  Gary and Gordon made about it the company will also be running its popular time trial sideshow  again this time MK has two boards so you can now go head to head with a mate all participants will  get a tea break treat and the fastest time of the day wins an MK bundle packed with both RF and USB  sockets and lots of merch whoever you decide to visit on the day registration for free show entry  is required on the CEF website you'll find the link to that in the show notes and we hope to  see you there and our usual reminder that we're in the market for your stories your projects and  your recommendations as we'd like to share them with the wider eFIXX community over the next few  weeks we'll be featuring HVAC lighting controls and wiring accessories so send us pictures of  your installs or let us know if you've come across any new kit or companies that are making your job  easier or any products that you think deserve a shout out and just before we get to your favourite  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 they're the people who've created the  Swiss Army knife of solar inverters along with all weather batteries very much the boy scouts  of the solar industry it's Sunsynk doubling down on terminal screws and their top quality circuit  protection product and building innovative isolating units with built-in surge protection  it's WhiteCliffe Electrical Distribution next with deep commitments to the economy the environment  and the electrical community they're so much more than an electrical distributor the self-styled  experts in shifting boxes is Niglon and empowering their customers to harness power through light  with their intelligent energy solutions solar technology and advanced lighting systems it's  Ledvance in an age of energy uncertainty if you're looking for your next EV charge point to install  then helping you charge into the future with confidence powering the future together it's  Rolec and now suspend your disbelief like you suspend a cable tray if you need to get any piece  of building services equipment into the air and keep it there then check out Zip Clip with their  new award-winning Lumo consumer unit and offering complete product support from their highly trained  team it's CPN Cudis and with over 5,000 product lines from heating lighting ventilation to wiring  accessories if you need it they've got it it's electrical distributor CED Group don't forget  to use the code EIX30 to claim your 30% discount on top quality light fittings from Philips and  Ecolink download the Lumxpert app today and make your life easier and less expensive it's  the light of our lives signify and the best thing to come out of Yorkshire since stainless steel the  home of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and quality products is Doncaster Cables click the  links in the show notes to find out more about these great brands if you think you know the  words I've smuggled into this week's show pop your guess into the comments we'll take all the correct  guesses and select one at random to be the winner of an EIX goodie bag prize answers submitted after  about lunchtime on the Thursday after release will not be entered into the draw just for this  week only we're delaying the announcement of last week's winner until the next show because  I've just enjoyed a week's holiday and recorded this ahead of time so tune in next week to find  the winners from this episode and the previous one thanks for listening to this episode of  Electrical News Weekly make sure you subscribe to receive the next update and until next time  have a great week stay safe out there and remember there's no such thing as a torque calibrated arm