Your guide to safety boot ratings – What do they mean?
At first glance, safety boot ratings might resemble a meaningless stream of letters and numbers, chosen at random by the shoe manufacturers to make their products look more important. But safety footwear standards are not to be taken lightly. Your employers are legally required to ensure that the shoes you wear offer adequate protection for the job at hand. Safety ratings are designed to effectively communicate the sort of protection the shoes offer -whether it’s heat resistant, penetration resistant, electrical resistant or otherwise. Safety boot standards should be the most important factor to consider when choosing your safety footwear. Scruffs, a UK leader of innovative safety footwear explain the meanings behind the most common ratings: Safety boot ratings abbreviations – what they stand for SB This is the Safety Basic toe protection rating. It is tested with 200J impact and 15kN compression force. HRO Heat Resistant Outsole. These shoes have been made using a compound that’s been tested at 300°C, to ensure its heat resistance levels. P These shoes have midsole protection against sharp objects, such as nails and other protrusions. Safety footwear with a P rating have been tested to withstand penetration forces of up to 1,100Nm using either steel inserts, aluminium inserts, or Kevlar insoles. A This is antistatic protection. Safety footwear with an A rating offers electrical resistance between the foot and the ground ranging from 0.1 to 1000 MegaOhms. E This rating means that the energy absorption of the heel region has been tested at 20J.Remember – absorptive shoes are, generally speaking, comfortable shoes. Safety footwear with an E rating will keep you comfortable throughout even your longest of shifts. FO The outsole is resistant to Fuel Oil. WR The safety boot is Water Resistant. WRU The shoe is fitted with a Water Resistant Upper. SRA / SRB / SRC These shoes are slip resistant. SRA safety footwear has been tested on tiles with NaLSlubricant. While SRB safety footwear has been tested on steel with glycerol lubricant. SRC safety footwear has been tested with both lubricants. S1 This is where the ratings get a little more complex. The S1 rating essentially means that on top of the safety features offered by SB footwear, you also get the features of A, E, and FO. So, as well as toe protection, you get antistatic protection, an energy absorbent heel, and a fuel oil resistant outer sole. S2 In addition to all the safety features of S1 footwear, you get WRU – a water resistant upper. S3 In addition to all the safety features of S2 footwear, you get added midsole protection against sharp objects (P). Take some time to consider the type of protection you need, and use this information to help you choose the perfect safety boots for your work. For example, for almost all onsite work, toe protection is a given. This is why the basic rating – SB – indicates that the shoe offers toe protection. So, make sure you browse an extensive range of safety footwear to properly equip yourself with the best footwear to get the job done.
BASEC Cable Quality seminar at Tratos factory
This year BASEC launched a series of Cable Quality seminars designed for those who are involved in projects where cable installations are key to the successful operation of their facilities. Often the requirements of cable are overlooked or left until last, as typically electrical wiring is the last installation on a construction site. Sadly, it often takes a tragedy before questions are raised about the impact of poor-quality building materials. As cables are commonly the cause of fire, BASEC is keen to raise awareness and promote good practices for those responsible in the specification of these products. Educating the construction industry plays a pivotal part in ensuring that any potential risks of fire to building inhabitants are minimised. The sessions will focus on understanding the implications of poor-quality cable the outcomes of fire testing and more – relevant especially to those working across the supply chain; from specifiers, consultants, architects, purchasing, to the main contractor, end users and installers themselves. The session will also include a tour around the Tratos cable manufacturing plant, an opportunity for many consultant and end users to see exactly what is involved in the production processes and how independent cable testing and certification ties in to this. With safety now at the forefront of everything we do, do not miss your opportunity to learn more about cable safety. The Cable Quality seminars will take place on Wednesday 23rd October 2019 – register for your place now at www.basec.org.uk/events
Five revolutionary electronics inventions which changed the world
Ulf Timmermann, CEO of reichelt elektronik, discusses five electronics inventions which have changed the landscape of modern life… 50 years ago, a computer was still the size of a room and a team of people were required to make it work. Now, we have an array of electronic inventions at our fingertips, from smart sensors, to LEDs, to 3D printers, all fully controllable through the power of the internet. While some may have fallen by the wayside (anyone remember the fax machine?), some of the inventions of the last five decades have stood the test of time and are indispensable today. To celebrate reichelt’s half century of trading, we’ve taken a look back to give an overview of five pioneering inventions in electronics history. The battery What would the world look like without batteries? Used for powering the smallest electronics such as smartphones to something larger like an entire city, this invention was a turning point for mankind. Invented in the 1800 by Alessandro Volta (namesake of the volts unit of measurement of course), The Voltasche Column consisted of copper and zinc flakes stacked on top of each other as well as pieces of cardboard and leather saturated with electrolyte that would then conduct the current. Unfortunately, but perhaps unsurprisingly, this early version was deemed unsafe due to the hazardous materials. Now, lithium-based batteries can be found in every electrical device, powering almost all innovations since its invention. The soldering iron A must-have for DIYers and industry alike, the soldering iron has been an essential tool for creating many objects we couldn’t live without today. Although present-day soldering irons are mainly electrical, these devices used to be powered by heating coal and gas. The humble soldering iron can be traced back to the times of Egyptian Pharaohs and Trojan horses. Materials used for soldering included gold and silver, but tin was preferred as an inexpensive material. Today’s electrical soldering iron was invented in 1921, with the iron perfected over time adding new features. Now it’s found in every workshop and tool-shed around the world. The circuit board Thanks in part to the soldering iron came an invention you almost certainly have in your pocket right now. The circuit board was developed to clean up the jumbled assortment of electronic components found in devices. Before that, all components were crossed and mixed up, making a 1930s engineer’s job that much harder. In 1950, the circuit board really came into its own and gradually became smaller and smaller so it can be squeezed into any device. Now available to anyone, whether they’re in the electronics industry or a DIYer, they can be used for a variety of purposes. The Raspberry Pi for example, can be used as a personal cloud storage device, smart home device or for online security. With more developments in power and continuous shrinking in size, the possibilities of circuit boards continue to be unlocked. The digital storage oscilloscope Electrical engineers across the globe would agree the oscilloscope is an essential tool to have in the industry. Although it dates back to the early 20th century, the first digital storage oscilloscope was launched in the 1980s by New York-based manufacturer LeCroy. These digital storage oscilloscopes have overtaken their analogue predecessors due to an increased set of features, speedier performance, and larger memory. Now, they are available in a variety of price ranges for both personal and professional use, and include various functions depending on the device. The 3D printer 50 years ago, 3D printing didn’t exist. Now, it’s being used in electronics, medical technology and many other industries – not to mention all the hobbyists making products at home too. There have been many stories in the news where items and devices that are usually complex have been made using 3D printing techniques for a variety of uses. Notable examples include the making of prosthetic limbs that would usually cost substantially more than they would using a 3D printer. The development of 3D printing began in 1981 when Hideo Kodama of Nagoya Municipal Industrial Research Institute invented two additive methods for fabricating three-dimensional plastic models. This was successfully practiced in 1983 and the first 3D printer was released in 1988 to the public. Since then, the art and technology has evolved and been perfected with the devices readily available for use in a personal and professional environment. The evolution of the printer has made way for a growing number of the filaments, such as wood and chocolate, that can now be printed. What’s next for electronics? It is difficult to predict what the electronics and components landscape will look like in another 50 years’ time, and which technologies will be indispensable to the electronics industry in the long term. With continuous public and commercial interest in the ‘Internet of Things’, we will see many more connected devices that can be controlled remotely, from household appliances to vehicles. A more connected world also means bigger and more complex networks to link the devices together. The fourth industrial revolution will mean everything is connected and therefore electronic. Who knows what another 50 years of technological evolution will look like? For the team here at reichelt, we can’t wait to see what comes along next.
Essentra Components – thousands of new hardware products
Essentra Components are pleased to announce thousands of new catalogue products focused on the needs of their industrial manufacturing customers. This includes 5,000 new SKUs of standard machine parts including handwheels, knobs, levers, handles, control knobs, and indexing plungers. Alongside new PA, PP, POM and PF offerings they also have steel, stainless steel and aluminium choices and customisable colour options to suit customer build applications. Other extended ranges from Essentra Components to make things easier for future machine builds include: Hygienic feet, handles, locks and nuts: Their new easy to clean, chemically resistant, 3-A standard range of products are ideal for healthcare and food industry equipment manufacturing. 3-A is a standard to promote hygienic equipment design. This set of feet, handles and knobs all incorporate polished 304 stainless steel, silicone gaskets and smooth surfaces to reduce dust and dirt build-up. Polished 304 stainless steel nuts prevent air, dust and liquid ingress by obscuring threads. Anti-vibration bell mounts: In a range of thread sizes from M8-M16, these light to medium duty mounts made from steel and shore rubber hardness 60 isolate vibrations. Safe break options are available. Toggle clamps: Extended range of vertical and horizontal, hold-down, push/pull, safety lock and stainless steel clamps stocked in industry standard sizing. Accessories for hydraulic systems: Oil level indicators, breather caps with splash guard and column level indicators for checking fluid levels in hydraulic systems. Tube clamp connectors: For connecting, assembling and clamping elements in machine building and tube connecting. Further information on Essentra Components products can be found on the Essentra Components website, or contact via email.
Ex-Or’s Lighting Control for DALI Lighting
Ex-Or by Honeywell, the leading global manufacturer of lighting control solutions, has announced the availability of DALI Lighting. Designed to make the benefits of lighting control easier to achieve than ever before, its clever technology is embedded into a passive infrared (PIR) sensor, rather than a traditional DIN rail or riser mounted box, to give a low total cost of ownership, no requirement for additional hardware, and simplified installation. Offering 64 light addresses and 64 device addresses, DALI64 is configured on the DALI 2 open protocol. When used as a standalone system, luminaires are connected via a standard five-core cable or a two-core DALI network cable, and up to 16 scenes and eight occupancy zones can be created to match user needs. Simple lighting commissioning is carried out usingthe intuitive Light Touch app on any smart device, which eliminates the usual problemsassociated with traditional DALI systems. Scenes and groups can be controlled through a variety of methods including a low energy Bluetooth switch, which means no wires and no batteries. Nathan Cole, Global Product Manager at Ex-Or by Honeywell, explained: ‘By using a Light Touch on any smart device, the usual problems associated with traditional DALI systems are eliminated. With no additional controller or hardware, and reduced installation and maintenance costs, DALI64 works equally well in both new and retrofit projects for energy conscious building managers. With greater recognition of the effect that a comfortable working environment has on employee wellbeing, good mental health and productivity, there is a now a significant focus on lighting within commercial buildings. As well as having a negative effect on an individual’s mood and stress levels, poor quality lighting is associated with eyestrain, migraines and headaches, lethargy, irritability and low levels of concentration. A DALI64 system can assist in creating a human centric lighting solution that supports the circadian rhythm by automatically changing tone and colour – from warm white to daylight – in tune with any available natural light. It also considers the time of day, the position of the sun and even the time of year. Ex-Or’s Nathan Cole concluded: ‘The functionality of this innovative DALI64 lighting control solution puts Ex-Or at the forefront of the drive towards smarter buildings. Maintaining occupational health and wellbeing is vital and a controllable, adaptable lighting control system creates a more comfortable environment that improves productivity, reduces absence through illness and leads to highly motivated personnel.’ For further information please call Ex-Or by Honeywell Marketing on 01942 719229 or email simon.osborne@honeywell.com.
Foremost Electronics Distributor for Neutrik Connectors
Foremost Electronics, the Essex based specialist distributor of electromechanical components and sub-assemblies, is pleased to announcethat they have been appointed UK Distributor for circular connector specialist Neutrik Connectors. Announcing the availability of two significant new cable and chassis connector series at the same time Alan Vincent, Sales Director of Foremost Electronics,comments. “Neutrik are recognised as world leaders in connectivity for the audio, broadcast and lighting markets and supply major OEMs and systems integrators. And we are very pleased to be offering these two new products immediately.” The two new Neutrik connector families meet connectivity requirements where the need for complete data signal integrity is critical. Neutrik’s new etherCON is a ruggedised and lockable RJ45 connector system in an industry standard XLR body. Optimised for professional audio, video and lighting network applications including video walls and digital lighting desks, etherCON may be used where a standard RJ45 connector is too fragile. The connector is available in cable and chassis formats along with a wide range of accessories and tooling. The new opticalCON fibre optical connector series offers single up to 24 fibre capacity and applications include professional digital mixing desks and broadcast, high bandwidth data systems in areas like video walls, F1 monitoring systems and digital signage. The opticalCON MTP24, is a pre-assembled, rugged and lightweight cable connector accommodating 24 fibres (multimode PC or single mode APC) based on conventional and proven MTP connectivity protected by a ruggedised and durable all-metal housing. It features a spring-loaded push-pull locking mechanism and excellent cable retention utilizing aramid yarn. An automatically operated sealing cover provides exceptional protection against dirt and dust when unmated. The cable connector comes pre-assembled and is not available as a single component. The cable is available in different lengths and is packed either in a case, on drum or airspool. “Recognising the increasing requirements for rugged and reliable data and power connectors for industrial applications Neutrik have chosen Foremost Electronics to be their UK sales channel to the industrial market in the UK.” Continues Alan Vincent. “Foremost has almost 30 years of experience selling connectors and a wide range of electromechanical components to UK electronic systems manufacturers and Neutrik’s wide range of connector solutions will be a great fit in our portfolio.” Neutrik is an international corporation with over 40 years of know-how and experience in the manufacture of innovative electrical and electronic interconnection products and systems. The company was founded in 1975 and is the world leader in designing, manufacturing and marketing audio, coaxial, power and circular connectors. Their main objective has always been to be “one step ahead “, and to understand future market needs before they become obvious and to accommodate demands before they occur. The Neutrik product range includes XLR connectors, plugs, jacks, speaker connectors, patch bays and fiber optic connection systems. Neutrik hold a large number of patents and license agreements demonstrating theirinnovation and creative achievements. Their customers worldwide can rely on having high quality products at an unsurpassed cost/performance ratio when they specify a Neutrik product. To see the Neutrik product range available from Foremost, please visit www.4most.co.uk call +44 (0)1371 811171 or email sales@4most.co.uk Foremost serve a wide number of diverse markets including industrial, instrumentation, rail, medical, education and audio/broadcast. Established in 1989, Foremost Electronics Ltd. are very successful agents and distributors of electro-mechanical components including switches, connectors, cabinets, enclosures and handles, control knobs, thermal fuses and optoelectronics. Foremost are also a supplier of joysticks and controllers for both OEM and stand-alone applications and have specialist online storesElectric Vehicle Connectors and Accessories and www.enclosures4u.com
Gas Safety Week – 16th-22nd September 2019
Established in 1962, Worcester Bosch, the leader boiler manufacturer in the UK, today reveals how a lack of regular boiler maintenance and servicing by much of the nation will put families at risk this winter. The Gas Safety survey reveals that half of the nation has never asked for the service history of a boiler upon moving into a new house, with 18 per cent believing that servicing is unnecessary until a boiler breaks down, leaving a home without heating or hot water. Worcester Bosch conducted some research regarding peoples attitudes to heater maintenance and it showed that, more than one in ten homeowners do not think they are placing their family at risk if they do not get their boiler serviced. This is despite the fact that breakdown in winter could have severe implications for people such as the elderly, with the cold potentially leading to serious health problems. Often, a boilers warranty is invalidated if it is not serviced at least once a year, meaning that a significant number of UK homes may have lost this opportunity. This could cause problems for much of the population, particularly millennial, of whom over a third said they would wait for their boiler to break down before servicing it. However, for those who do choose to have their boiler serviced, it is claimed that 6 in 10 people would still prefer a CORGI registered engineer, and 58% of consumers still believe that CORGI registration is a must-have when choosing a gas engineer, despite them no longer being the official register of gas engineers – having been replaced by the Gas Safe Register in 2009. Research showed that having a CORGI registered engineer is of more influence than one recommended by a friend or family member. This is down to the fact that they demonstrate experience of the individual gas engineers, have positive online reviews and even receive manufacturers accreditations. Top Tips for Gas Safety at home According to the Gas Safety Week website, there are five steps that you can take to keeping you safe and warm in your home this winter. Firstly you must ensure that all of your gas appliances are checked every year by a Gas Safe Registered engineer. (If you rent, you can ask your landlord to arrange this for you or ask for a copy of their current Gas Safety Record. Ensure you check your engineer’s Gas Safe Register ID card to ensure that they are qualified to do the work you are requiring them to do. You can find this information on the back of their card that they should have with them. Follow the link here to ensure that your engineer is Gas Safety Registered or call 0800 408 5500They also recommend you know and understand the six signs of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning, which can be anything from headaches and dizziness to being breathless, feeling sick, collapsing and loss of consciousness. If you have unsafe or unchecked gas appliances, you can be at risk of CO Poisoning, Gas leaks, fires and explosions. To help prevent this happening to you, you could fit an audible carbon monoxide alarm, which alerts you when there is any carbon monoxide in your home. You are able to able to check for warning signs on your gas appliances that show if they aren’t working properly, for example – a tired looking yellow flame instead of a crisp blue one, any condensation in the room or even black marks on or around the gas appliance. ‘Must-haves’ when choosing a gas engineer Gas Safe registered – 64% said this is a ‘must-have’ CORGI registered – 58% said this is a ‘must-have’ Highly recommended by people I trust – 42% said this is a ‘must-have’ Lots of relevant experience fixing my problem – 37% said this is a ‘must-have’ Positive online reviews – 32% said this is a ‘must-have’ Accredited by the manufacturer of my appliance – 28% said this is a ‘must-have It is clear that the UK’s population don’t realise the risks of ignoring their boiler, with one fifth of men and nearly one sixth of women in the nation believing that their money could be spent better elsewhere. Ahead of this week’s Gas Safety Week, Worcester Bosch highlighted that heating maintenance should not be taking lightly. New homeowners should be especially vigilant, as many Brits that have recently moved into a new house could have a boiler that has not been serviced for well over the recommended time of one year and some perhaps, never. Martin Bridges, Director of Technical Communication and Product Management at Worcester Bosch, stated that he is concerned that people in the UK are heightening the risk of discomfort in their homes. “It is extremely important to understand the importance of servicing your boiler. Not only doesn’t an annual service ensure the boiler is running smoothly, you could be subjecting yourselves and your loved ones to safety risks, particularly with older, open flue boilers” As we approach Gas Safety Week this week Worcester Bosch is demonstrating to homeowners across the UK just how important it is to regularly service their boilers and the importance of boiler maintenance in advance of the winter months. For more information, you can look at their website here.
University of Edinburgh Installs First-Class Fire Protection
The University of Edinburgh, one of the UK’s most prestigious educational establishments with a history stretching back to 1582, is now protected by industry-leading intelligent fire panels from Advanced. Edinburgh is the sixth oldest university in the English-speaking world, with the Old College building being opened in the early 19th century as a school for anatomy and surgery. The original campus was expanded in the 1880s with the addition of the New College, and the university now occupies six sites throughout Edinburgh. The new fire system installed at the main campus by long-term Advanced partner FMS Fire and Security Limited, covers the entire university campus. It compromises of multi-loop Advanced MxPro 4 and MxPro5 panels, connected using fault-tolerant network cards. Dominic Rea, Director for FMS Fire and Security, said: “The new panels installed at the University of Edinburgh are the latest in a long line of installations we have undertaken throughout the university Campus, all using MxPro components. The Advanced panels installed are not only flexible and reliable but are also compatible with the existing systems already installed.” MxPro is the industry’s leading multiprotocol panel and offers customers a choice of two panel ranges, four detector protocols and a completely open installer network that enjoys free training and support. Ronald Kerr, spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh, commented: “The safety of our staff and students is paramount and they are now protected by the best fire panels on the market. The university has been shaping history since it welcomed its first students in 1583 and has played a large part in the scientific and literary development of Scotland. Our buildings are a big part of that history and, thanks to Advanced, they will be protected for many years to come.” MxPro 5 offers high performance fire detection and alarm control across multi-panel networks and multiple sites. MxPro 5 panels are EN54 parts 2, 4 and 13 approved. They can be used in single loop, single panel format or easily configured into high speed, 200-panel networks covering huge areas. Advanced’s legendary ease of installation and configuration make MxPro customisable to almost any application and the panel is fully compatible with MxPro 4. Neil Parkin, Advanced Sales Manager for the North, said: “The University of Edinburgh is the latest in a long line of educational establishments protected by Advanced panels, including Sheffield University, Herriot Watt University and a number of leading independent schools. Our MxPro range offers the performance and reliability required by a site such as the University campus and the system is flexible enough to be expanded and upgraded as technology evolves.” Advanced is a world leader in the development and manufacture of intelligent fire systems. The legendary performance, quality and ease-of-use of its products sees Advanced specified in locations all over the world, from single panel installations to large multi-site networks. Advanced’s products include complete fire detection systems, multi-protocol fire panels, extinguishing control, fire paging and false alarm management systems. More details can be found on the website at www.advancedco.com.
Enlite has changed to Aurora Lighting Group
Andrew Johnson, Founder & CEO of the Aurora Lighting Group, explains how 20 years of growth and success has led to the following announcement. After five years of outstanding success, Enlite Lighting, the LED lighting brand established by the Aurora Lighting Group, has been rebranded Aurora Lighting from September 2019. The Aurora Lighting Group is an international LED lighting and technology organisation, renowned globally for its quality, reliability and service, servicing the residential, commercial, industrial, retail and hospitality sectors. Combined with award winning marketing and distribution, the Group serves customers through a global network in more than 70 countries. Five years ago, Enlite was launched by the Aurora Lighting Group in response to market changes. Big Performance, High Quality and Great Value is what Enlite stands for, and these qualities have led to sales far exceeding expectations, with the range quickly becoming the number one choice for contractors and specifiers alike. From its market leading fire rated downlights to the popular Ariah™Pro highbays, Enlite products are now installed in thousands of homes and businesses around the world. During this period, Aurora continued to push boundaries and innovate, becoming a globally recognised leader in smart connected lighting that provides exceptional Value Beyond Illumination™. To continue on the back of both Enlite and Aurora’s success, and to assist our customers with the sale and promotion of these products in the UK and internationally, our extensive trade range and the AOne™smart platform is being driven through one brand: Aurora Lighting. Bringing all our lighting products together enables greater focus, meaning there’s one brand, one catalogue, one website, making our entire product portfolio easily accessible. Therefore, from September 2019, all our Enlite products have been rebranded under Aurora. The product and part numbers will remain the same, just the brand has changed. In addition, look out for new exciting products launched in September. For more information, please contact us on 01727 83 66 11 or info@auroralighting.com www.auroralighting.com
