ELECTRIUM SALES LTD
LAKESIDE PLAZA
WALKMILL LANE
BRIDGTOWN
CANNOCK
STAFFORDSHIRE WS11 0XE
Tel: 01543 455000
Fax: 01543 455001
Suppliers of: Consumer Units, Electrical Accessories,
Electrium brings together five of the leading brands in the electrical industry to offer a complete range of Low Voltage installation products from a switched socket to the main switchgear in an industrial installation. The Company employs around 800 people and has manufacturing operations in the UK and throughout the world with its UK Head Office in Brownhills, West Midlands.
CRABTREE
The name behind one of the widest ranges of wiring accessories, circuit protection and control equipment, covering residential, commercial and industrial markets worldwide. Known for innovative new products and concepts, Crabtree’s uncompromising approach to quality has long established this brand as a market leader, with everyone who takes pride in a job done professionally. The Crabtree range includes:
- Wiring Accessory & Domestic Circuit Protection
- Industrial Electrical Products
- Crabtree Consumer Units
- Warwick PVC Trunking
WYLEX
The clear market leader in residential circuit protection, with the largest range of consumer units and RCDs in the UK. This gives designers and installers the flexibility to create an almost infinite variety of systems, tailored to individual applications and blending with any surroundings. Easy nationwide availability adds to convenience whenever Wylex is specified. The Wylex range includes:
- Solar Photo Voltaic PV Switchgear Solutions.
- Circuit protection.
- Wylex Three Phase Circuit Protection.
- Wylex Consumer Units and Wylex Flexible Consumer Units.
VOLEX
A name synonymous with reliability and value. Committed to adding extra quality features and contemporary aesthetics to its designs, Volex has recently launched a new generation of products which provide the latest looks with the value for money and product features Volex customers expect. The Volex range includes:
- Volex Accessories and Circuit Protection.
- Weatherproof Wiring Accessories.
- Decorative Metal Plate Wiring Accessories.
APPLEBY
Switch and socket boxes manufactured from galvanised steel and PVC dry lining boxes suitable for domestic and commercial applications, for the mounting of any flush accessory. The range includes moulded enclosures for extreme conditions and steel adaptable boxes as a cost-effective alternative. Appleby also produces an extensive range of
- Amenity lighting and long life
- Energy efficient fluorescent luminaires
- Switch and Socket boxes
- PVC dry lining boxes
SIEMENS HEATING CONTROLS
Our heating controls offer our customers a wide range of choices, from the simplest weather compensator to advanced central heating controls, thermostats, boiler and domestic hot water control.
BRITMAC
The Britmac underfloor power track system consists of a series of fully enclosed single phase busbar module units and is an ideal pairing with the popular Britmac fast-fit floor box. Designed to be assembled directly onto the floor slab of a cavity floor installation using the integral floor fixing brackets. The track modules have a simple and quick push fit connection allowing for rapid on site assembly. The modules are available as standard 2P+E, Clean Earth 2P+E+CE and dual system 4P+E+CE. The system has been designed with minimal parts to assist the contractor fitting out on site. The Britmac product range includes:
- POWER TRACK UNDERFLOOR SYSTEM
- FLOOR BOX DISTRIBUTION
Electrium - RCDs & the 18th Edition
Electrium - RCDs & the 18th Edition
People talking about RCDs and the 18th Edition is, most of the time, a good thing, but occasionally it’s a dangerous thing, says Electrium, home to brands such as Crabtree & Wylex.
Electrium has been hearing reports that one RCD company is encouraging its customers to standardise on one type of RCD. This type of advice doesn’t actually follow the requirements within the wiring regulations and it may prevent designers from carrying out proper electrical design assessments. Even worse, it could lead to the use of inappropriate devices that are not suitable for the intended purpose, a frightening thought.
So, what do the regulations actually say about types of RCD?
Types of RCD – Chapter 53 Selection and Erection of Equipment
Regulation 531.3.3, for example, is new to the regs book but the principle of this regulation is not new at all. For example, regulation 132.8 (17th and 18th editions) requires protective devices to operate at values of current, voltage and time that are suitably related to the characteristic of the circuits and possibilities of danger.
Four types of RCD are mentioned in regulation 531.3.3 which also requires the appropriate RCD to be selected from those four options - Type AC, Type A, Type F, or Type B. Each RCD type has different operating characteristics to suit particular applications - including those where DC components and varying frequencies are present.
The requirements here are clearly stated. Designers and installers must select and specify the correct device for each circuit or item of equipment being protected, and that choice must be made through a proper technical assessment.
However, Regulation 531.3.3 is only part of the story;-
30mA RCDs are used for additional protection (415.1)
for general purposes Type AC RCDs may be used (531.3.3)
for EV chargers Type A or B are required (722.531.2)
in some medical locations Type A or B are required - depending on fault currents (710.411.3.2.1)
installations in caravans require RCDs to break all live poles including the neutral (721.415.1)
There are many elements to consider in order to select the appropriate type of RCD, and so failing to factor all of the relevant circumstances and guidance from within BS7671 into a design assessment is very risky.
Putting this into perspective, the term RCD is used within the wiring regulations more than 250 times and the definition of RCD includes RCCB, RCBO, CBR and MRCD. Clearly, it’s essential to understand the full picture before making device selections.
Avoiding Unwanted Tripping – Chapter 53 Selection and Erection of Equipment
Regulation 531.3.2 is another ‘new ’ regulation that is intended to aid designers in making better design decisions. This supports the principles of Regulation 314.1 (17th and 18th editions) which requires every installation to be divided into the number of circuits required to avoid danger and hazards caused by unwanted tripping of RCDs – a single fault should not cause the loss of power to groups of circuits.
Regulation 531.3.2 gives designers two options to use to avoid unwanted tripping of RCDs from earth leakage (PE current) during normal operation.
Option 1
Divide the installation into individual circuits, each using its own 30mA RCBO
Option 2
Design the installation so that the PE current cannot be more than 30% of the rated trip current i.e. no more than 9mA for a 30mA RCD. But how easy is that to achieve?
Individual RCBOs provide a solution that also complies with Regulation 314.1 to avoid danger and hazards caused by unwanted tripping of RCDs. A single fault should not cause the loss of power to groups of circuits. The safety of the people within buildings can only be ensured when power continuity is maintained to healthy circuits by the initial design.
Footnote; The term RCD is used within the wiring regulations more than 250 times and the definition of RCD includes RCCB, RCBO, CBR and MRCD, readers are advised to follow the requirements of the IET Wiring Regulations BS7671:2018.
Crabtree - Choosing Wiring Accessories? Trust Your Instinct
Crabtree - Choosing Wiring Accessories? Trust Your Instinct
Chunky white wiring accessories are a thing of the past. But with so many providers offering various finishes and styles how does a range set itself apart from the rest? Here Michael Simms, Product Manager for wiring accessories at Crabtree, one of Electrium’s leading brands, talks to Electrical Wholesaler about the innovation behind the facade.
When it comes to wiring accessories the design and the functionality are equally important. Filled with innovative and practical advancements, the Instinct range from Crabtree, gives specifiers and installers the solutions they are looking for. It allows them to remain competitive while maintaining the quality, reliability, style and functionality required in today’s highly competitive commercial buildings market.
In terms of breadth of selection, the Instinct range has it covered. But true to our Easier Safer Faster mantra, we have designed a range with over 300 new wiring accessories, packed with innovations including full contact cable clamps, integrated led indicators, and twin action safety shutters.
When it comes to installation, the upward-facing inline terminals make the entire range simple and reliable to install. It’s a design that’s sure to save time for the contractor as well as delivering peace of mind. When it comes to safety, Instinct meets all the relevant standards giving a contractor total confidence in the product when it’s specified.
Crabtree - Wiring AccessoriesInstinct is the first range of wiring accessories to use full contact cable clamps. These “no miss” terminals offer a more secure, more efficient, method of connection. The proven technology meaning there is no chance of incorrect cable positioning and this terminal design eradicates the risk of cable core damage that occurs with screw terminals.
Crabtree has also created upward facing terminals throughout the range, all accessible from one orientation, all with an instantly recognisable terminal layout including segregated inline supply and load terminals, nested for convenience.
This improves installation time. It’s easier and faster to connect. Cables can be cut to the same length and use less of the interior space. It gives safer and more reliable installation – no twisting or turning of the plate means no loosening of cables that were just terminated.
The range features a twin operation multipin safety shutter. Crabtree has developed a shutter with a two-piece mechanism that requires multiple pins to fully operate the mechanisms. The live and neutral pins do not open unless the earth pin is operated. Live and neutral shutters are fully locked until Earth pin is inserted. It ensures that live and neutral remain closed even with earth pin engaged. This meets and exceeds British Standards. It is incredibly difficult to defeat and minimises potential misuse.
Crabtree’s Fused Connection Units and 20A switches now have an improved, unobtrusive, integrated LED switch indicator within the switch dolly and feature full contact clamps, helping to improve cable positioning and retention.
Improved Keystone Modules are safer and sleeker, offering flexibility and cable security, with less bend to cables. The variety of modules caters for Data, HDMI, USB, TV, Phone and Satellite applications.
Crabtree - Wiring AccessoriesAlso forming part of the range are a series of integrated USB Sockets. The 13A sockets are double pole switching and have integrated USB charging outlets that meet the latest product standard (BS1363-2:2016+A1). They also include automatic charge optimisation to match the corresponding device.
While incorporating all of these advances in technology the Instinct range also looks great. It features slimline plates with soft curves, smooth lines and contoured profiles. These carefully considered design details ensure they fit naturally into any environment with a classically timeless look that will serve gracefully. While the operation of every switch gives a satisfying feel of quality and class – the kind of finishing touch that leaves clients happy and impressed with their contractor.
Crabtree has been supplying the UK market with electrical installation products for 99 years, and the brand continues to innovate and grow with over 5,000 products across all the ranges. The ‘Crabtree Instinct Range’, Crabtree’s new wiring accessories range is the brand’s biggest product launch in over 30 years.
As a market leading brand, Crabtree provides enviable breadth and depth in its wiring accessories offers and this gives specifiers and installers plenty of options for all of their wiring accessory needs. They are designed to satisfy the needs of specifiers, installers and end-users in all commercial and industrial markets.
