CEF TechTalking

With an increasing need to change consumer units to be able to hook up electric vehicles, solar panels and heat pumps, how can electricians safely and efficiently isolate the mains supply? Find out on this episode on TechTalking with special guest Ed Hand from Acoole Electrical. Topics: The problem of isolating mains supply for domestic and commercial properties The solution offered by ACoole Elec...

Electrical heating is the hot topic for this episode of TechTalking, and as Darren and Dave discover, there’s a lot more to it than panel heaters. Special guest Adam Bridgett of Heatstore shares his expertise. Topics: The Heatstore range of electrical heating products The Heatstore business and how it can support customers and contractors Fundamentals of heating and heat loss The benefits of elect...

Darren recalls some tricky installations from his days on the tools as TechTalking talks Door Entry Systems. Thankfully things have moved on a bit from the old analogue days, and we explore the latest innovations with Bradley Field from Legrand. Topics: How Legrand have helped make door entry systems easier to install Retrofitting analogue systems How Legrand can help contractors with quotations,...

Darren and Dave are joined by Bob Bohannon, Head of Policy and Sustainability at the Lighting Industry Association (LIA), to discuss how this organisation supports the industry. Topics: History of the LIA and how it supports lighting manufacturers and installers How the LIA leads consultations on behalf of the lighting industry ROHS – Restriction of hazardous substances and what this means for flu...

We’re talking controls and sensors on TechTalking and how they play an important role in energy saving. Darren and Dave are joined by Joshua P and James Wallace from Legrand. Topics: What can sensors control and what are they used for? What’s the difference between PIR and microwave sensors? Range of sensors available and examples of how they can be used How Legrand can support contractors with qu...

TechTalking talks connections and how to make them faster, easier and more resilient with Terry Boswell from WISKA. Join us for a closer look at the combi box, consumer unit relocator kits, earth plates and the gel that combats condensation. Topics: WISKA and Wago partnership WISKA combi box and what it’s used for How WISKA have developed consumer unit relocator kits to meet electrical standards S...

On this episode of TechTalking we’re discussing EV installations with Kieran Jenkins & Ian Down of Proteus. Darren and Dave get to grips with single phase, triple phase, commercial and industrial solutions, the 722 regs and getting the right infrastructure in place for the EV revolution. Topics: Single phase distribution solutions Pre-wired distribution boards IP65 rated enclosures EV installa...

TechTalking talks trunking (nothing to do with elephants) and conduit, examining the products produced here in the UK by Marshall Tufflex. Darren and Dave talk to Jeremy and Barry about how they’re using more and more recycled materials to help contractors improve their sustainability credentials. Topics: History of Marshall Tufflex How trunking and conduit is made and where the recycled plastic c...

TechTalking returns with special guests Mark Williams and Paul Martin from Legrand explaining how their products are designed to make installations much faster and how they have rigorously tested them to ensure they meet the regulations to prevent premature collapse. Topics: How Legrand make their cable management products faster by design Safety features and UK-based manufacturing History of fire...

In this episode of TechTalking, Darren and Dave talk Mineral Insulated Copper Cables (MICC) with Steve Williams of Wrexham Mineral Cables. Tune in to find out about how they’re made, tested and the benefits of using them in hazardous areas.  Sadly, after recording this podcast, Steve Williams passed away. We’d like to share our sympathies with his family, friends and colleagues who wanted us to sh...

In this episode of TechTalking, Darren and Dave talk to David Mann of Schneider about the growth in demand for single phase uninterrupted power supplies (UPS. And they get a sneak peek of a new, smaller product coming soon. Topics: Single phase UPS How power cuts disrupt work and play Growth of UPS devices in domestic market A look at Schneider’s new residential UPS product UPS, battery storage an...

With the cost of energy rising, many more people are investing in small-scale generator sets. But these can raise some serious safety and earthing concerns. Mark Coles, Head of Technical Regulations at the IET, joins Dave and Darren to discuss the issues. Topics:  Increase in use of small-scale generators Risk of earth faults Temporary installations at events and exhibitions Use of earthing mats T...

We’re meeting another innovative manufacturer on TechTalking as Darren and Dave chat to Jimmy Cowley from EV Tower about their modular EV pedestal designed to fit any EV charger. Topics:  How the company got started About the EV Tower How they work with EV blocks How EV Towers help future proof installations Made in the UK What innovations are in the pipeline What EV towers can offer customers

We always get loads of questions about RCDs, so on this episode of TechTalking, Mark Coles Head of Technical Regulations at the IET is here to put things straight. Why have the regulations changed and what’s in store for the future? Tune in and find out.  Topics:  What changed with RCDs in Amendment 2 How does ‘blinding’ work? What are the regulation changes for type AC RCDs  Do European standards...

Time to meet another manufacturer on TechTalking as Darren and Dave chat to Trevor Palmer, director of EV Blocks. Find out all about their universal charger base for EV chargers and how it can help you install any EV pedestal charging point quickly, easily and efficiently, without standing around waiting for concrete to dry. Topics: What EV blocks do How the business got started How EV blocks help...

In this episode of TechTalking, we get technical about standards and the upcoming Code of Practice for EV installations with Mark Coles Head of Technical Regulations at the IET. Find out how you can add your comments to help improve future guidance and why there’s a difference between standards and codes of practice. Topics: How to comment on the Document for Public Comment that will form the Code...

Darren and Dave are joined by Will McDowell and Jason Toland from Firesafe as they discuss what’s involved with BAFE accreditation and how Firesafe can help you design fire safety equipment and systems to the necessary standards.   Topics:  What’s involved with BAFE certification How Firesafe can help with the design of fire safety and alarm systems to comply with standards Dual-guard systems and...

In this week’s TechTalking podcast, Darren and Dave are joined by Kieran Jenkins, Senior Works Manager of Proteus Switchgear to talk all things distribution boards. Big or small, one-offs or multiple complex designs, discover the benefits of their bespoke design, testing and manufacturing capabilities. Topics:  What kind of consumer units Proteus Switchgear manufacture Different units for differen...

The TechTalking podcast returns with special guest Malcolm Duncan of Super Rod and Klein tools, demonstrating the benefits of a new thermal imaging camera and entertaining Darren and Dave with tales of his early sales days in the USA.   Topics:   History of Super Rod business Tales from the road in the USA How Super Rod first linked with CES (CEF in the USA) Introducing the new Super Rod Thermal I...

In this episode of the TechTalking podcast, Darren and Dave bust some myths about battery storage with Stuart Burton, Divisional Manager of iCS (intelligent Charging Systems). They look at how long batteries last, how safe they are and how easy they are to install. Topics: Why battery storage is becoming more popular What kind of battery storage do households need?  Does battery storage have to be...

Professional electricians and installers are risking their lives everyday by not following basic safety procedures around safe isolation and using lock out kits. Malcolm Duncan, Managing Director at SuperRod shares the shocking results of their survey with Darren and Dave. Topics:  Why SuperRod got involved with this safety survey The shocking statistic – 13 people died and 228 were injured by ele...

Darren and Dave are talking about the regulations related to premature collapse - cables that could collapse in the event of a fire. How should you be fixing them? How do the regulations apply in protected escape routes? And how do you know where these rules apply. Michael Peace of the IET digs into the details. Topics:  Why regulations about premature collapse were introduced Where the regulation...

Where should you be using RCDs? When should you be using them and why do the regulations keep on changing? Darren and Dave get technical with Michael Peace of the IET to answer some of your questions about residual current devices. Topics: - RCD standards – what they mean Why you need to test RCDs Why a 1x test is enough How often should RCDs be tested? How do you test existing RCDs? The correct w...

Changes to Insulation Resistance testing under the 2nd Amendment to the 18th Edition Wiring regulations raise a lot of questions at our TechTalk events. Darren and Dave talk to Michael Peace of the IET to find out what the latest insulation resistance testing requirements mean for you. Topics: - How inspection and testing regulations are agreed IR Testing – what regulation 643.3.3 means Do you nee...

You said you wanted to hear more about Arc Fault Detection Devices (AFDDs) on the podcast, so that’s what we’re covering this week, with Michael Peace of the IET. Darren and Dave dive into the technical details and regulations to answer some of your questions. Topics: -  What does the regs book say about AFDDs? How the regs apply in higher risk buildings and why they’ve changed How incidents like...