Darren Crannis, ECA Technical Manager, looks at protective earthing systems and unravels the difference between PME and PNB. The distinctions between TN-C-S earthing variants, Protective Multiple Earthing (PME) and Protective Neutral Bonding (PNB), often lead to confusion. Despite both falling under the TN-C-S category, they diverge significantly, impacting design considerations and inspection outcomes. Here we ...

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Recently crowned ECA Apprentice of the Year, Adam Allen, along with employer Neal Robinson, share their advice for young people interested in pursuing a rewarding electrical contracting career. At the end of last year, Adam Allen of ECA member-firm Geoffrey Robinson was recognised as one of the country’s leading electrical apprentices, winning the coveted ECA ...

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In response to this week’s Budget announcement by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, leading engineering and electrotechnical services trade body ECA has welcomed the extra support for green energy, while expressing some concern over funds directed for infrastructure projects under the levelling up agenda. ECA Head of Public Relations and Public Affairs Jane Dawson said: “We welcome ...

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Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA has urged policymakers to rethink their approach to electrical skills development. Speaking at the Westminster Employment Forum, ECA Chief Operating Officer Andrew Eldred warned ministers that individuals undertaking net zero electrical installations without the proper skills, knowledge, experience and behaviours are not competent, and potentially unsafe. Andrew was ...

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Ruth Devine, ECA Vice President and MD of SJD Electrical, looks at why the Electrician Plus concept will lead the way for the future of competence in our sector. The growing demand for low carbon technologies has led to various misinformed claims that a whole new set of narrow occupations are needed to install them, ...

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Paul Reeve, ECA Director of CSR, looks into the safety considerations installers should be aware of when dealing with Li-ion battery energy storage systems (BESSs). In June, the Construction Leadership Council launched an industry initiative to drastically reduce the use of diesel on construction sites. Part of the initiative, headed by ECA, highlights safety considerations ...

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In this interview Steve Bratt, ECA CEO, shares his thoughts on the electrical sector’s greatest employment challenge: the search for – and retention of – skilled workers. Q. What is the most significant employment challenge currently in the sector? The employment challenge most raised by the ECA Members I speak to is the difficulty finding ...

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Andrew Eldred, ECA Director of Employment & Skills, explains why the updated Apprenticeship Standard in England includes green and digital skills to prepare for the UK’s Net Zero future. In May of this year, the Installation & Maintenance Electrician became one of six English apprenticeships recognised as a ‘gold standard’ for green skills. The award ...

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Rob Driscoll, ECA Director of Legal & Business, considers the impact of interest rates and inflation and how businesses can remain resilient in an economy that is struggling to right itself. As Winston Churchill once put it: “The further back you can look, the further forward you are likely to see”. Interest rates and inflation ...

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Leading fire and security services trade body FSA has responded to the latest updates to the Building Safety Act published by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC). These include the technical changes to the Building Regulations and a new regime for the design and construction of higher-risk buildings (HRBs). They also provide ...

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