Schneider Electric is investing £42m in a new manufacturing facility in Scarborough, North Yorkshire.

More than 200 jobs will be created to meet the increased demand for electrical equipment to drive the UK’s move to cleaner energy including renewable energy sources, electric vehicles, and intelligent, energy-efficient buildings.

The site, which is almost triple the size of Schneider Electric’s existing Scarborough facility, is a blueprint for sustainable design and operations in the manufacturing industry. It is poised to become a net-zero plant and will use modern technology to reduce energy waste and maximise the use of renewable energy. It is expected to be net-zero in Scope 1 and 2 emissions when it opens in early 2025.

Scarborough is a long-established manufacturing base for Schneider Electric, currently employing 450 people. It specialises in the manufacture of low-voltage switchgears which protect and distribute electricity and are crucial to the rollout of sustainable and energy-efficient operations such as EV charging infrastructure and net-zero buildings.

Kelly Becker, President at Schneider Electric, UK & Ireland, Belgium & Netherlands, commented: “Sustainability is at the core of our purpose, culture and business. We’re proud to be investing in and developing innovative solutions which will deliver immediate and lasting decarbonisation in the UK, while bolstering the creation of local, green jobs in Yorkshire.”

The investment in Scarborough is in addition to a £7.2 million facility upgrade to Schneider Electric’s site in Leeds, announced in October 2023, meaning the company will create more than 300 jobs in Yorkshire over the next 10 years.

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The EDA’s Product Knowledge Modules help businesses like yours create cross-selling and up-selling opportunities by building knowledge and confidence.

These training modules have won a Princess Royal Training Award so you can be assured of their value.

Introduction to the Principles of Electricity is one of 12 training courses in the programme and offers the knowledge that underpins the other 11 modules in this EDA series.

E-learning option

All the EDA training modules are now available in a digital format via the EDA Academy, an e-learning portal.

Introduction to the Principles of Electricity training module covers:

• Introducing electricity
• Direct current and alternating current
• Electrical safety
• Ratings and markings of electrical equipment
• Introduction to low-voltage electrical installations
• Electricity and the environment
• Qualifications and accreditations for electrical installation work

Years of knowledge to give your team a commercial edge

City & Guilds accredited, this training programme harnesses decades of combined expertise from product experts at EDA manufacturers and allied trade associations to create an accessible and practical training opportunity for you and your team.

Test your knowledge

Have a go at this quiz sampled from the Introduction to the Principles of Electricity module. Then check your answers below. If the results show that you need to boost your team’s know-how, talk to the EDA today.

 Q1: What do we call a substance that helps prevent electricity flowing?

Q2: How can we reduce the amount of electricity we use?

Q3: Give three examples of renewable generation.

Q4: What colours are used for identifying conductors in single-phase circuits?

Q5: How does an incandescent lamp generate light?

Q6: What does this symbol mean on a product?

Scroll for answers

Q1: Insulator
Q2:

• Smart metering can help us monitor and hopefully reduce energy usage
• We can fit low-energy lamps when older lamps fail
• We can buy low-energy replacement product

Q3: Solar energy. Wind power. Tidal and wave power.
Q4: Phase (or Line) – Brown
Neutral – Blue
Earth – Green and Yellow
Q5: The filament heats up when electric current flows, until it glows and emits light
Q6: It uses Class II (double or reinforced) insulation for protection against electric shock.

How did you do?

Full marks: Well done!

3 – 5 out of 6: Not bad. Could the EDA training help you to fill in any gaps in your knowledge and help you progress in your career?

Less than 3: The EDA Product Knowledge Programme could be just what you need to boost sales.

Watch the video and download the Course Directory

There’s plenty of information online at www.eda.org.uk including video and downloadable Course Directory, giving you a summary of what’s covered in each of the 12 training modules. The EDA team is ready to help. Call 020 3141 7350 or email training@eda.org.uk or click here

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The compact HPAT400 HandyPAT from Martindale Electric is the perfect device for anyone who needs to check that electrical appliances are safe to use.

The Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 require that any electrical equipment that has the potential to cause injury is maintained in a safe condition.

With its one-button test selection and backlit display, the HPAT400 is very easy to operate and perfect for those responsible for checking and testing appliances.

Users can perform a 500V insulation test quickly, and the device enables you to switch between different test voltages of 250V and 500V with ease.

This is particularly useful when testing appliances with surge-protected circuits, such as sensitive IT equipment that requires a 250V test. Weighing just 700g, this lightweight, battery-powered, handheld PAT tester is also ideal for use in tight and hard-to-reach spaces.

The simple connection diagrams permanently displayed on the case body mean you can get testing right away. With a single button press, you can activate either a full Class I, Class II or lead test to ensure equipment is safe. The device displays clear PASS/FAIL indicators but doesn’t show test values.

The HPAT400 comes with an extension lead adaptor, an earth bond probe with clip, 6xAA alkaline batteries, and a sturdy “test & go” carry case with a separate pocket for accessories to keep the HandyPAT protected and safe. The device complies with BS EN 61010 safety standards.

For more information, click here

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Jake Green Head of Technical Engagement, Scolmore Group, examines some of the factors to be considered when installing equipment outdoors.

As with all electrical installation designs, it is important that the installer takes due account of a range of factors, including amongst other things, nature of demand, environmental conditions, type of wiring and method of installation as detailed in Regulation Group 132.

Environmental factors

Any equipment installed must be fit for purpose. To ensure that any installed electrical equipment is fit for purpose the designer/installer must select equipment that conforms to a suitable British or Harmonised Standard (133.1.1). This requirement does not preclude the use of equipment outside the scope of its standard, however where this is the case, the installer must confirm that the equipment meets the same degree of safety as that afforded by compliance with the Regulations (133.1.3).

In addition to these basic requirements, the installer must account for the environmental factors which are likely to prevail. Where equipment is installed outside, the factors to consider will include:

• Variations in temperature
• Variations in humidity
• Ingress of moisture
• Effects of flora and fauna
• Effects of radiation (direct sunlight)
• Vibration
• Access to ordinary persons.

Appendix 5 of BS 7671 provides details of environmental factors.

Installation

As with all installation work, good workmanship by skilled or instructed persons and proper materials must be used in the erection of the installation (134.1.1). The installer must take due account of manufacturers’ instructions, and although such instructions are not regulatory, where such equipment is used outside of its scope it is unlikely that any warranty will apply.

The proper function of any equipment installed must not be impaired by the installation process. For example, an IP rating of IP66 only applies where no damage has occurred to the device.

Section 522 (Selection and erection of wiring systems in relation to external influences) details particular requirements relative to the external influence.

Any equipment selected for installation must be capable of safe operation for the highest and lowest ambient temperature likely to be encountered. In the UK this is likely to vary from one part of the country to another, however temperatures as low as -15°C and +40°C are to be expected (522.1.1). It is of note that for outdoor lighting installations, Regulation 714.512.2.1 details an ambient temperature range of -40°C to +40°C.

Where there is the presence of water and high humidity careful consideration must be given to the IP rating of the equipment (522.3.1). The extensive Click Scolmore wiring accessories portfolio includes the Aquip66 range of IP66 rated weatherproof outdoor switches and socket outlets, which would be ideal for this environment.

Watertight solution

The Aquip66 weatherproof sockets come as completely sealed units to offer a high level of protection against ingress of water jets and dust. The range comprises 1 and 2 gang 13A switched power socket outlets that are also available supplied with a semi-transparent lid and socket outlet with neon. A 13A switched fused connection unit is also available and can be supplied with a semi-transparent cover with neon power indicator, as well as with a standard cover. The IP66 rated range is available in an anthracite grey finish.

It is likely that electrical equipment installed outside will be subject to potential damage by impact. Regulation Group 522.6 requires the installer to select such equipment that it is not liable to damage due to mechanical impact/abrasion/tension/compression either during installation or during its use.

Where electrical equipment is suspended, such as with luminaires, the connection must be made with cables having flexible cores (522.7.2).

Where equipment is used outdoors, it may be subject to damage from flora (plant life), but more particularly from fauna (animals) (522.9.1). Rats and mice can gnaw through cables and also gain access to relatively small spaces (522.10.1). Furthermore, birds can damage equipment through defecating and nesting.

Additional protection

It has been the case that for some time BS7671 has required additional protection for socket outlets and mobile equipment to be used outdoors. Regulation 411.3.3 requires circuits supplying such systems to have additional protection by means of an RCD having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30mA.

For outdoor lighting installation there is a further requirement for circuits supplying lighting that is accessible to the public to have additional protection by means of an RCD having a rated residual operating current not exceeding 30 mA (714.411.3.4).

Last year, Click Scolmore added a number of RCD socket outlets to its Essentials wiring accessories range, including a 13A 2 gang double IP66 weatherproof Type A passive RCD switched socket outlet. This product comes under the company’s Aquip66 weatherproof range, and is suitable for outdoor use. These RCD sockets are socket outlets with an RCD built into them which can be used in place of a standard socket-outlet. These are known as passive RCDs which means that when power is lost due to a fault, the RCD disconnects and isolates the piece of equipment it is protecting. Passive RCDs do not trip during power cuts.

Conclusion

Designers and installers must take great care in selecting and erecting electrical equipment outdoors. The additional shock risks and likely impact of environmental factors require suitable equipment to be installed in line with the manufacturer’s guidance.

Further details are available here

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