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Technology sparks success for Eastway electrical
Father and son duo, Delroy and Omari James and their business Eastway Electrical has been selected to appear in a new advertising campaign for Square, the payments company for small businesses founded by Jack Dorsey. The duo will appear in the new national TV ads from May 1st, as well as across print, online and social media. The ‘Square and Fair’ campaign has been created to celebrate the UK as a nation of shopkeepers and independent business owners. Set to the 1942 wartime song “The Thing-Ummy Bob”, performed by Gracie Fields, the ad features a selection of real businesses of all ages and backgrounds who use Square’s technology. Eastway Electrical were selected as an example of a business in the home and repair sector that is seeing measurable business benefits from using Square, the service that allows them to accept card payments easily and quickly. Square was founded in 2009 and serves millions businesses around the world. It launched in the UK in March 2017 with a mobile card reader that makes it easy for business owners of all types to accept card payments. Eastway Electrical was founded by Delroy James in 1998, and began originally providing electrical services to a local authority in the area. When the work with the council began to slow, Delroy realised he needed to evolve and diversify to survive. In 2016, tasked with reinvigorating the business, Delroy’s son Omari joined the company bringing a fresh new approach and introducing new technologies. Co-Owner Omari James says: “As our business transformed, we had a real problem when it came to cancellations due to a lack of payment system. Potential customers would book appointments and then cancel them. We were losing money and needed a solution. Since we’ve signed up to Square, we can take deposits over the phone, our cancellation rate has completely dropped and our pipeline of work is now secure.” “We researched a lot of systems before choosing Square. Most were offered by the banks and required lengthy contracts or minimum transactions amounts. As a small business, it just wasn’t feasible for us to commit to something like that. With no contracts, commitments and competitive rates, Square really has transformed the business.” With a fresh approach and the uptake of new technologies such as Square, Eastway Electrical is continuing from strength to strength and now provides electrical services to both residential customers and commercial properties across London. For more information about Square please visit www.squareup.com/gb and to learn more about Eastway Electrical please click here
Don’t get left behind: future-proof by outsourcing your water management
Like a fast-moving tide, water management is quietly but quickly emerging as a significant risk for the electrical manufacturing industry in the UK. Companies may be unaware of the ever-increasing water management obligations under the EU Industrial Emissions Directive, which industry experts believe will be maintained in UK law after Brexit. The old methods of water management employed by many companies, particularly in regards to wastewater management, simply won’t meet the tougher requirements of these new environmental standards and companies will face fines and potential disciplinary action. In order to be both compliant with emerging regulatory requirements and cost-efficient in the face of increasing pressures on global water resources in coming decades, companies will need to look at how they ‘future-proof’ their water management. With water technology developing at a rapid pace, the process of managing water in-house will also become progressively inefficient and financially unsustainable. This may lead companies to look to outsource this function. Outsourcing has been a revolutionary force, leading to exponential growth and efficiencies across all industries. Yet for many companies, water management has stubbornly remained in-house. But there’s no time to waste. The environmental responsibilities of industry in the UK are set to increase in 2018, with EU regulators currently drafting a series of best practices that will heighten already-stringent obligations in the decade ahead. These new guidance documents will inevitably result in companies needing to raise the bar in the design, construction, and operation of their facilities, specifically including water treatment. Industry experts agree that Brexit will likely not affect the relevant legislation in the UK, which it implemented along with other EU member states after the current EU Industrial Emissions Directive came into effect in 2013. Increasingly stringent laws in Europe (and beyond) are being implemented to manage the ever-growing pressures on the world’s water systems. Increasing demand intensity within relatively small areas of the globe will result in the over-harvesting of clean water for the purposes of providing drinking water for domestic use in future years. Meanwhile, industrial and commercial water customers are rightfully demanding better-quality water in order to produce better-quality products. Increasing levels of urbanisation and industrialisation are also putting greater pressures on wastewater recycling, and the intensification of treatment required to avoid potentially harm the increasingly vulnerable ecosystem will also rise. With these pressures, the increasing real costs will be passed on to the industry: raw material (water), distribution, recycling, production (water treatment), and redistribution. To date only part of this cost was recovered from industries. Capital investment on water infrastructure and treatment processes due to increased demand will also be passed on to industries. Moreover, the principle of ‘polluter pays’ is already becoming the norm internationally and countries are already considering surcharges on wastewater that will be daunting for industry. Companies that maintain the status quo and don’t address these emerging issues will find themselves in a financially untenable position, particularly those who are water-intensive industries such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, leisure, alcohol, and manufacturing. The solution lies in innovation, and the most cost-effective and efficient way to innovate in water management is to have experts on hand. We all endeavour to remain ahead of the curve in our chosen core area of expertise, and the water sector is no different. Keeping on top of developments in water infrastructure and technology will become increasingly important. Water infrastructure is aging and there has been a significant investment gap in recent decades. Companies will have two choices: ignore these inevitable changes in the industrial landscape and invest millions of pounds or euros to upgrade their infrastructure, or take timely action to outsource and bring in sectoral experts in water treatment. Those who take the latter route will benefit from utilising the latest technology and resources provided by their water management partner. With water becoming more expensive, the impetus to recycle water is increasing. Moreover, raw materials used in production processes often escape in wastewater in large quantities. On average, industrial companies that we have engaged with in the past have been able to reduce their water use and production of wastewater by around 40%. But the benefits of recycling water and reducing wastewater go far beyond the financial. Pressures on the availability of water and extreme weather events will also lead to increasing water security issues. We have worked with industrial companies to provide water recycling solutions which have resulted in near self-sufficiency on sites. This also cuts costs in the transportation of water, which in large quantities is more significant than oil, gas, and electricity. The obligations to liaise with environmental regulators increases year on year, and it will become critical to have a partner that can lead in this conversation. Outsourcing also brings with it the benefit of specialist human resources and knowledge on best practices. Then there are the other usual benefits commonly associated with outsourcing such as mitigating risk in the operation of assets, minimising fixed costs, and utilising technical support services. In the short to medium term, outsourcing your water management will simply be a competitive advantage and an easier way for electrical manufacturers to ensure compliance with new legal obligations coming into force. But in the long term, with increased pressure on water systems and the need to keep up with technology, it will become a financial necessity. For more information about water management please visit www.alpheus.co.uk/ Written by Declan Maguire, Operations Director at Celtic Anglian Water & Alpheus Environmental
NAPIT go the Extra Mile for the Electrical Industry
Team NAPIT are once again taking on new challenges to fundraise for charity, and aim to raise £5,000 for The Electrical Industries Charity (EIC) during 2018. The EIC are the only charity of its kind, offering a range of services to people in the electrical and energy related industries including, assistance and guidance with health, employment, education and financial issues. On 25th May 2018, NAPIT’s committed team of walkers, including Chief Executive Mike Andrews, will embark on a 30-mile hike along the Jurassic Coast. The walk is estimated to take around 13 hours to complete and will involve the team tackling tough coastal terrain with some steep inclines and declines along the way. Although the walk will be tiring, the group will get to experience some of England’s most breath-taking sites such as Corfe Castle, the South West Coastal Path and Old Harry Rocks chalk stacks at Studland. Mike Andrews, NAPIT Group Chief Executive, said ‘Once again I am proud of staff and partners at NAPIT for putting themselves forward to take on a new challenge in support of charity. This year our chosen charity EIC has a significant impact on our industry, particularly NAPIT members, and that’s why we are determined to finish this challenge as a team and reach our £5,000 target with all proceeds going to the EIC’. NAPIT, sponsored by NAPIT Drive and NAPIT Insurance, aim to start and finish the challenge within 13 hours as a team in order to raise funds for the EIC so they can continue to help thousands of people in the industry. For more details on the EIC please visit www.electricalcharity.org or email contact@electricalcharity.org To donate to Team NAPIT or for more information and to help them reach their target of £5,000 in aid of the EIC please visit www.justgiving.com/fundraising
Choose between colour temperatures with Collingwood Lighting’s colour switchable downlights
The colour temperature of LED lighting can have a dramatic impact on the atmosphere and function of any living or work space – but what’s good one day, might not be quite right the next. Making a room functional for a variety of different purposes, from relaxing to late-night decorating and anything in between, would have previously relied on utilising an array of different lights and lamps. Thanks to the latest innovation from Collingwood Lighting, those days are now long gone. Our first ever colour switchable downlights completely change the ambience and practicality of a room at the flick of a switch, with one light offering no less than THREE colour temperatures. The new H2 Pro 550 CS and H2 Lite 500 CSW bring innovation, simplification and adaptability to the LED market, offering customers more flexibility and choice than ever before. Now, people can easily change the lighting in a room between the three different colour temperatures of a warm 3000K, daylight 4000K or a cool 6500K by quickly flicking the wall switch off and on again. One light can offer all the function needed, whether it’s soft mood lighting, a comfortable level of daylight, or super functional task lighting – and all this without additional wiring and control gear. Despite their advanced colour switching technology, the H2 Pro 550 CS and the H2 Lite 500 CSW come at no compromise to performance and couldn’t be easier to install, using a standard wall or dimmer switch. Why colour temperature is important Colour temperature was never a feature of incandescent bulbs because they were all more or less the same. LED technology has moved on to the extent that many different types of white light can now be produced, from warm white to cool white. It is measured in kelvins and the higher the colour temperature, the whiter it becomes and different types of white light create different atmospheres. Most of the Collingwood Lighting range, for example, comes in a choice of 2700K, 3000K and 4000K as standard. At the lower end of the scale, 2700K is our warmest white colour temperature to create a warm and comfortable atmosphere, 3000K is slightly cooler, providing a warm atmosphere that is still practical, while a crisper, cooler 4000K is closer to natural outdoor light. Ease of installation The H2 Pro 550 CS and H2 Lite 500 CSW are designed to be easily installed on site and come with all the revolutionary features that make Collingwood Lighting products a popular choice with electricians. This includes push-fit terminal connectors, flexible driver position, insulation coverable design, low power consumption and a shallow depth of 49mm. It’s the H2 Pro 550 and H2 Lite our customers love, but with three times the functionality. The new colour switchable downlights complement our popular dim to warm products, which change both the colour and light output as you dim, such as the H2 Pro Dusk, and dim to warm versions of the H2 Pro Elect, H2 Pro Elect Trimless and H4 Pro Elect. For more information about the new colour switchable downlights, please visit http://www.collingwoodlighting.com or call us on 01604 495151.
Olson Electronics have once again expanded their product portfolio further
Bringing advantages and advancements to a common product like cavity floor boxes for installers is a challenge that most brands within the industry face. Olson being a global specialist of standard, specialised and bespoke power distribution units and other electrical accessories, this has been overcome. Focused on maintaining a high rate of new product launches that present innovative solutions to the market, Olson Electronics have once again expanded their product portfolio further. Using their global strength and market leading position, this now includes a range of cavity floor boxes and plates, providing power and data distribution within the modern office environment. Designed with quality in mind, the floor boxes and plates are made from a highly robust steel construction and utilise a module sized plate system. Available in 87mm and 100mm depths, the new design provides easy access for wiring and installation of accessories with the base being of a single piece construction steel body and each compartment having four entry knock-outs for flexible conduits or cable glands. The internal compartment segregation plates can be moved to suit the module based configuration of the power and data plates used within each unit. The sub-frame allows for fine adjustments to accommodate uneven flooring, with a reversible self-closing lid which is recessed to allow for carpet infill. The durable, robust sub-frame supports the lid in case of heavy and high-traffic environments. Olson offer a wide range of power, data and telecom sockets to meet all the requirements of a raised floor system, including a rarely offered MCB / RCD / RCBO mounting plate. This flexible design enables the boxes to be easily modified to any configuration with ease, even after the initial installation, with a totally discreet final finish. Although Olson now offer these standard floor box products available to order from stock, these still may not suit requirements for a specific installation. As with their core business for all of their product offerings, they also offer a bespoke and pre-wired configuration service. To accommodate for whatever the scenario, Olson can build fully custom units, eradicating the long-winded fixing and installation time. The flexibility of their own metal machine shop, onsite paint spraying facility, assembly and testing service is all combined with a knowledgeable and experienced in house design team who can offer support to their customers and quickly propose bespoke solutions. The whole service, from start to finish being in one single location offers a quick manufacture and delivery time to a high quality. Time is money; indeed, it is and here at Olson we understand the importance of that and not wasting our customers time. We believe that if a product has been made to its highest standard and quality you should not have to replace it until it fazes out naturally as technology evolves and our customers need to upgrade their electrical systems in years to come. We have a very fast turn around and our dedicated Production Team work around the clock to ensure orders are manufactured on time and shipped out as soon as possible from the minute we receive a purchase order. Contact Olson further information +44 (0)20 8905 7273 sales@olson.co.uk www.olson.co.uk
Advantages of using a satellite dish over Ariel
Digital TV: Selecting a receiver The digital switch over has transformed how we watch TV. Television services are constantly changing to improve and enhance our individual viewing experience. TV is no longer a ‘one size fits all’ deal, besides exceptional picture and sound quality, recent digital packages offer tonnes of new features to better the user experience. Services such as on-demand viewing, HD channels, live replay and catch-up allow us to interact with content and as a result we can highly refine and adapt the way we choose to watch TV based on our personal preferences. There are three delivery methods that generate TV signal. These are aerial, cable, and satellite. Your delivery method is dependent on your Digital TV provider. Free view services, that don’t require monthly subscription fees, can function on both satellite and aerial. Subscription services that incur a monthly cost vary in delivery method. BT Vision and Talk Talk utilise aerial and phone line, whereas Virgin Media is hosted via cable, and Sky is dependent on a satellite dish. It usually pays off to select a service whereby TV, broadband, and landline are inclusive with the same provider as this can save a substantial amount of money on installation and service charges. It’s always important to shop around to ensure you get the best value for money, however bundle deals are often most cost efficient. Digital TV via aerial Otherwise known as terrestrial, TV services that utilise an aerial are often the most cost effective option. All modern TV’s come with inbuilt Freeview, however if you have an older model, you can simply purchase a set-top box to plug in. Freeview services offer up to 65 channels and 25 digital radio stations, however this can be upgraded to include sports and entertainment subscriptions, on demand, providing you have an integrated card slot. This is a great DIY option that will enable you to access a limited number of channels with the option to upgrade to stunning HD quality, without the associated price tag. Whilst analogue TV’s can receive strong digital reception from your current rooftop or loft aerial, it’s likely that this will need to be upgraded for maximised reception. If an indoor aerial doesn’t suffice, and you require a new loft / roof aerial, your local licensed installer should be able to advise you on your best option. Digital TV via cable Cable TV, delivers signal via fibre optic cables in the ground and thus delivers a high quality, reliable service for as little as £15 per month, depending on the package, without the need for an unsightly satellite dish attached to your home. Virgin Media and BT are the main providers of fibre optic service in the UK and offer a massive choice of channels, and optimum viewing options for sports, entertainment, films and kids. Cable services specialise in on-demand viewing, allowing users to watch a specific program at their leisure. Unfortunately, at present only half of homes in the UK can receive cable TV services due to the complexity of installation. Cable subscriptions require a 12-month commitment from the customer, which may be off putting for those in rented or semi-permanent accommodation. Cable offers the most variety, however this can often incur extra cost and so may not be the most suitable option if you are on a budget. Digital TV via satellite dish Freesat and Sky are both national providers of satellite TV services in the UK, both of which offer a wide variety of free and subscription based options. Satellite TV services rely on a dish, which can be attached to individual homes or communally if you live in a flat or apartment. Satellite service is available in all locations, including those which don’t receive terrestrial service or cable, making it a great option if you live in a remote area. Whist satellite dishes can look unsightly, you can discuss discreet installation options with your licensed installer to ensure it doesn’t affect the aesthetic of your home. As satellite services work using a higher frequency, they have more transmission channels, called transponders. The UK has access to over 200 satellite transponders meaning that a digital satellite will provide stable picture and audio, except for during adverse weather conditions when quality can suffer. Despite all the options available, your location is perhaps the most important consideration when selecting a TV service provider, as not all digital signals are available nationwide. The Digital coverage checker is a great tool that allows you to review what services are available and most functional in your area – http://www.digitaluk.co.uk/coveragechecker/ Written by Michael Muxworthy, MD at MRM Solutions & LRN Distribution
Signs that you need to replace your CCTV Cameras
A CCTV’s primary function is to keep you and your family safe, but what good is it if it’s broken? Certain signs can be spotted that indicate that your CCTV Camera might not be functioning properly. The most noticeable problems are usually down to the image itself. However, the good news is that spotting the problems may not be as hard as you first thought. Each problem has its own set of unique characteristics, so identifying and attending to the problems is a lot easier. For more on ‘signs that you need to replace your CCTV Cameras’ read on! Electrified Surface It is common knowledge that a good quality security camera should have a clear image. The rule of thumb around professionals is ‘Do not ever mount your camera on a metal surface’. One reason that an “electrified surface” usually appears over the image is because of ‘bleeding’ electrical currents. Improper wiring and the current making contact with a conductive surface often causes “Bleeding”. The current will then move around erratically until eventually, it travels into the cameras, and themetal surface has a lot to do with the behaviour of the current. Since metal is a conductive material, the current will be attracted to the metal as well as the camera, causing a static like image known as an “Electrified Surface”. To avoid this problem either mount your camera on a material other than metal but if metal is the only material you can attach your security camera to, ensure that the camera is not in contact with the metal and add a block of wood or any other insulating material prior to installation. Sun-Induced Burn Out If your camera does not state that it is suitable for the outdoors, then there is probably a good reason for that. The sun, however harmless you think it may be, does have the power to destroy your security camera. Direct sunlight travelling to the lens of your security sunlight will eventually encounter your image sensor. This will then create distortions on the glass, but the effect on the image sensor is much worse. The video will begin to look warped, and you will notice things along the lines of blurriness, a change in contrast and then eventually a complete blackout. Monitoring your camera for a few days will help you identify if your camera is suitable for the outdoors if it is not stated on the label. Search for any bright glares, as intense light does not always come directly from the sun – reflective surface can also be as detrimental. Infrared Cut Filter If your camera does not contain an infrared cut filter, then it’s safe to say that you will not be able to use it outside. The problem this causes is that your images will appear very bright and turning down your brightness will not help in this scenario. While keeping in mind that you are unable to use this camera outside, note that bright light indoors can still have the same effect on your camera. As well as having problems with brightness in the daylight, it will also have an adverse effect on infrared in the dark. The best solution is to simply purchase a camera that does contain an infrared cut filter and you will not have these problems. Power Supply There are many things that can affect the power supply. However, problems that directly relate with your security camera will appear as ‘rolling lines’ on the image. To identify problems with power supply, look out for horizontal lines that move from top to bottom or from side to side. The best thing to do to tackle this issue is to contact an electrician. There are many fatal risks that come with directly fixing a power supply on your own, such as getting electrocuted. So seeking professional help guarantees your safety as well as the chances of the power supply problem getting fixed. Ground Loops Ground loops are a complicated problem. They will display themselves as horizontal lines (also known as hum bars) running across your screen. They can be confused with the problems with power supply, but the difference is, the horizontal lines with ground loops remain static while the horizontal lines regarding power supply move.There are many reasons ground loops may occur on your screen, one being improper wiring in your home. The best way to rectify the problem if it comes from faulty wiring is again, seeking out an electrician, as it is not a quick fix. First of all, they need to identify where the faulty wiring is then proceed to change it. The other problem that may cause ground loops is damaged power supplies; this is a quicker fix as if you find the problem is related to a faulty power supply with the cable, you canjust simply swap out the cable. Choosing the right company To makes sure you are getting the best cameras for your money, you need to ensure you do some thorough research and find the best company to do the job. Luckily we did some snooping as well and came across In2 Electrical, they offer their Electricians in Bedford, and their CCTV Cameras in Bedford are particularly popular. They offer high quality yet cost effective CCTV Cameras, and they are definitely worth a try! A Quick Recap… Since security cameras are made for surveillance and keeping people safe, conserving them is of utmost importance. However, there are many ways that a security camera can be damaged, but luckily most faults are easily identifiable. To protect your camera, looking our for the problems mentioned prior ensures you will have your camera for much longer, so you will be kept safe for much longer as well!
