A new dimension to lighting technology

Posted on 10th December 2019 at 12:29

Did you know that you can now tailor your own lamp shade and light online?

Using 3D printing techniques, it will be made using recyclable material and delivered to your door within two weeks.

With a few clicks you can have your own bespoke LED table lamp made from 24 recycled CDs.

This new service has been launched across Europe following a successful pilot project in Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg.

Unsafe electrical devices at home – worrying figures

Posted on 2nd December 2019 at 12:21

Between January and July this year British Gas engineers discovered over 25,000 dangerously unsafe electrical devices during their home visits.

That’s about one in every 20 homes where they have carried out an electricity and gas safety check when installing meters. The most common faults involved old ovens and boilers.

British Gas says that its engineers regularly visit customers who haven't had their electrical wiring or gas appliances checked for 10 to 20 years. In some cases, the unsafe appliances they discover could have a devastating effect on health and safety.

Renewables: Failing to be flexible

Posted on 21st November 2019 at 19:37

A new report published by the Association for Renewable Energy & Clean Technology (REA) looks at nine northern European countries and how ready they are to make the move to new energy sources. It reviews regulation, support, and technology.

What’s happening with WEEE?

Posted on 14th November 2019 at 19:30

Since 2007 the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive has made manufacturers responsible for financing, collecting and disposing of electrical equipment in an environmentally friendly way.

The amount each manufacturer pays depends their market share, by weight. However, some companies avoid making any payments when they sell through online marketplaces.

Residual Current Device warning

Posted on 29th October 2019 at 09:19

Quality, health and safety experts, Bureau Veritas, have warned that an increasing number of AC-type residual current devices (RCDs) are being affected by direct currents (DC) from modern electronic devices, electric appliances, and renewable energy sources.

The previous (17th Edition) Wiring regulations said that AC-type RCDs should be used for sockets that might supply outdoor equipment. However, with increasing number of domestic, commercial and industrial sites now installing renewable energy sources such as solar panels, Bureau Veritas says that these RCDs might not be fit for purpose.

Energy efficiency in the spotlight

Posted on 22nd October 2019 at 16:11

Just like us, the UK’s housing stock is starting to feel its age.

Almost four out of 10 (38%) of our homes were built before 1947, which makes them some of the oldest and leakiest in Europe.

Electrical switchgear releases greenhouse gases

Posted on 17th September 2019 at 12:46

The BBC has reported an increase in leaks of SF6 (sulphur hexafluoride), widely used in the electrical industry to prevent short circuits that could lead to fires.

The gas is cheap and non-flammable and is effective for insulating medium- and high-voltage electrical installations. However, it has around 23,000 times more global warming potential than carbon dioxide (CO2) and its effect in the atmosphere is likely to last for hundreds of years

Electric flight – Alice through the looking glass?

Posted on 17th September 2019 at 12:45

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Carrying on with this month’s green theme, we were interested that electric aeroplanes featured on the agenda at the recent Paris Airshow, in response to global warming concerns.

A prototype of the world's first commercial all-electric passenger aircraft was unveiled.

Known as Alice, the new plane will carry nine passengers for up to 650 miles. Three lightweight electric motors with propellers will give the new plane distinctive appearance, compared with traditional aircraft. Orders have already been placed and Alice is expected to enter service in 2022.

LEDs for industrial lighting

Posted on 30th August 2019 at 11:28

Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are energy efficient, which is one of the reasons that they are becoming increasingly popular in industrial settings.

More and more large warehousing and distribution centres that operate around the clock are looking to replacement lighting installations to significantly reduce their energy bills and improve working conditions.

Is your property electrically safe?

Posted on 3rd August 2019 at 11:17

Electrical installations and appliances are linked with around 350,000 serious injuries and almost half of all domestic fires each year.

The best way to reduce this risk is to use a competent, registered electrician for repairs or renovations in your home.

However, there aren’t any requirements for regular electrical safety checks in UK homes.