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Durham Castle is the hub of University College. It is part of the Durham World Heritage Site and a Grade 1 Listed Building. No other college in the British Isles can have a more ancient or impressive home.

A £5 million refurbishment at the 11th Century Castle, which houses 339 Durham University students, commenced in July 2011 and involved the refurbishment of the bedrooms, dining areas and other facilities, whilst retaining many of the original features of the building.

The final phase of works saw the residential parts of the Castle being reconfigured and upgraded to reflect 21st Century student accommodation, with the majority of bedrooms now including Taplanes en-suite bathroom pods.

Michelle Crawford, Bursar, University College, said: “We are delighted with the refurbishment and the Castle’s facilities have been transformed from 1* to anticipated 4* Visit England grading. The Great Hall, servery, kitchen and bedrooms look fantastic, and provide a great community setting for students to live in and a majestic venue for weddings”

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In keeping with its status as one of the UK’s leading providers of commercial underfloor distribution systems, MK Electric has revolutionised its Ackermann range with the launch of a new suite of floor boxes – for raised, flush and screeded floor applications – that deliver very robust, high load bearing performance together with greater ease and speed of fixing.

Packed with features designed to benefit the specifier, contractor and the facility manager, the new revised Ackermann Cablelink Plus and Onix Plus range represents a significant leap forward in managing data and power in underfloor and screeded situations and its launch certainly promises to bring huge improvements in both ease of installation and in day-to-day office use long term.

After extensive market analysis which revealed a number of concerns – load bearing, robustness, CAT 6 compatibility, speed of install and end user flexibility – MK set about a major redesign to enhance the Ackermann range. The result is five product groups that are designed and engineered to provide unrivalled ease of install, tough in-situ performance and trouble free, long term ease of use.

The new line-up comprises: the Cablelink Plus Modular for typical raised floor situations where individual modules can be moved to provide increased plug top clearance or greater floor void space; the Cablelink Plus Single Pan which features 1 to 4 compartment floorboxes and both 95 and 70mm depth boxes; the Cablelink Plus Screed that can cater for 53-110 mm screed depths; the Cablelink Plus Flush System for easy access to cabling, and Onix Plus for high load, high traffic areas such as retail outlets or applications requiring wet wash solutions.

Highlight features include market-leading load bearing performance that meets the latest legislation – prEN50085-2-2, self closing lids in accordance with draft IEC 61534-22 – and improved robustness with the inclusion of tougher cord caps that can’t be kicked off. The introduction of square-shaped boxes and lids allows 900 rotations, giving contractors greater options in location, positioning and installing; and facility managers more flexibility during office re-designs. Deeper back boxes, adjustable module and device tray heights help achieve increased plug top space or increased wiring space for CAT 6 compatibility by ensuring that minimum bend radii of cables are maintained.

For the contractor, installation time has been slashed thanks to a number of design advancements that include quick release blades for 10-second tool-less fitting and quick fit two piece modules for the raised floor modular product; and a ratchet levelling system that allows rapid fit of frame and lid for the single pan, screed and flush systems.

Common problems that typically affect end users have also been addressed. Staggered power plates ensure that plug top leads do not clash allowing workers the opportunity to make full use of all available outlets. The module height adjustment feature means that items such as phone chargers that traditionally have bulky plugs which prevent lid closure, can now be used with the floor box lid closed, reducing the risk of tripping.

The Ackermann range – from MK Electric – has long been UK leader in cable distribution; and its new Cablelink Plus collection delivers the specifier, developer, contractor and building manager with a host of benefits – both in terms of speed of fixing and convenience in use – that raises the bar for floor boxes for commercial underfloor distribution systems. Whether dealing with raised, flush and screeded floor applications, MK Electric has revolutionised the market for high quality professional installations demanding faster, easier and more robust and accessible installations.

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Weighing in at only 1 kg the Megger MOM2 is 200 A micro-ohmmeter fully capable of testing circuit breaker contact resistance to IEC 62271-100.

• Light – weighs only 1 kg
• Complies with IEEE and IEC standards
• Up to 220 A test current
• Safe test – DualGround™
• Auto range: 1 µΩ; to 1000 mΩ
• Bluetooth® PC communication

A rugged handheld device weighing just 1 kg, the new MOM2 microhmmeter from Megger is, despite its small size and weight, capable of carrying out tests at currents up 220 A. This makes it a convenient and time saving alternative, in many applications, to bulky and much more costly conventional high-current microhmmeters that typically weigh ten times as much.

A further key benefit is that this innovative instrument operates from rechargeable batteries that give over 2,000 measurements per charge, allowing it to be used to carry out a full day’s testing in locations where no mains supply is available.

The MOM2 is suitable for an extensive range of applications, including testing busbar and cable joints, and carrying out contact resistance measurements on low-, medium- and high-voltage circuit breakers. Circuit breaker tests performed with the instrument conform fully to IEC and IEEE standards.

In addition, to ensure maximum user safety, particularly in substation applications, the MOM2 supports DualGround testing for circuit breakers. This allows both sides of the circuit breaker to be earthed while the test is performed, thereby eliminated potential hazards from induced voltages.

Megger’s MOM2 high-current microhmmeter use ultra capacitor technology to achieve its unique combination of size, weight and performance. In a patent-pending circuit, a capacitor with a value of hundreds of farads is charged from the battery, and then discharged into the circuit under test. Voltage and current in the test circuit are monitored continuously during the discharge, and an average value of resistance is displayed.

Depending on the resistance of the test circuits, a guaranteed minimum test current of 100 A can be achieved for 3 seconds, with higher currents up to 220 A for shorter periods.

The MOM2 is autoranging and measures resistance from 1 µO to 1 O. Results are shown on large LCD display that incorporates an analogue arc to show the start of charge of the ultra capacitor. Provision is made for internal storage of up to 190 test results, which can subsequently be downloaded via a wireless Bluetooth connection. The Bluetooth facility can also be used with a headset to provide an audible pass/fail signal against user adjustable limits as tests are performed.

The instrument is supplied as standard in a robust transport case with two 1.3 m test cables fitted with Kelvin probes, a sturdy rubber holster, a charger and a copy of the MOM2 Win software package for convenient processing and archiving of results. Optional accessories include test leads up to 15 m in length, and a Bluetooth kit incorporating a headset and a dongle for computers that lack built-in Bluetooth capabilities.

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With water shortages reported across the globe – we are increasingly becoming aware of the fragility of this planet’s future and our place within it. We have huge quantities of water on the ‘blue planet’, yet only 2% of it fresh water. We have a growing population, set to hit 9 billion by 2042. Not unreasonably, they will all want drinking water, bathing water, better food and a better quality of life – all of which demand more high quality water.

So first of all let’s ask the fundamental question – why do we want to ‘harvest’ rainwater? The answer. Because it’s free and with the changing weather patterns it often arrives in huge quantities that sees much of it wasted as it makes its way into the river network or worse, it results in floods that can damage crops and cause soil erosion – neither of which are helpful to a world that needs more food and more land to grow it on.

We currently collectively participate in a major waste of expensive, cleaned water. For years, here in the UK we have happily ‘polished’ the water supply before flushing it down the toilet. Do we need to use potable – drinkable water to flush our toilets, to wash our cars, to water our gardens? The answer is no.

Rainwater is in the main clean and an excellent source of water for those tasks that don’t involve drinking, cooking and personal hygiene. It would make huge sense is if all homes and businesses had two sources of water – one for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene and another for flushing toilets and washing cars and arguably our clothes too. That might happen in time but in the meantime, many people are looking at the option of voluntarily harvesting the rainwater that falls on their roofs, that then makes its way through a mesh filter, into a holding tank, usually underground, before pumping it from that tank to be used in a number of non-potable applications. This can clearly reduce the demand on the potable water supply provided by the water companies and it can reduce water costs – particularly if you have a metered water supply.

Across the world, rainwater harvesting technology is being considered much earlier in the planning and construction process. There’s no problem adding rainwater harvesting technology to an existing building, but if it’s planned into a new building as part of the construction process, it clearly makes storage of rainwater and distribution of that rainwater to the required outlets in the building far simpler.

Leading pump manufacturer Wilo has been offering rainwater harvesting solutions to its customers for many years. An excellent recent example of the technology in action is in Northern Ireland – a part of the world that gets its fair share of rain of course!

The stunning new Belfast Metropolitan College project at the Titanic Quarter is an exciting one with which to be associated. Wilo has developed an enviable record across Northern Ireland for the quality of its products and the expertise it can share with its customers, and it was pleased to be able to play a major part in this landmark project.

Wilo was selected to supply the project’s pumping hardware for contractors the Harvey Group after a competitive pitch, through merchant, BSS in Belfast. Wilo was proud to supply all the key pumps for the project including those for the heating and air conditioning systems, the potable water pressure boosters and a rainwater harvesting system that ensures the toilets flush throughout the building, utilising the huge quantities of rainwater that are captured from the roof of the building, stored underground in collection tanks and pumped around the building to save using expensive drinking water to flush the loos.

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To coincide with the launch of its latest TV advert, Beko plc, one of the UK’s leading appliance manufacturers, has updated its UK website (www.beko.co.uk) to give consumers an even better experience, featuring easier navigation and an integrated look and feel with the brand’s on-going marketing initiatives.

The new look for the website has been designed with both new and existing customers in mind, to ensure that they can quickly navigate to the product information or page they are seeking. The cleaner layout features clear visual clues such as product imagery to guide consumers through the site.

In addition to product specifications and information for existing customers, the website will host the brand’s latest news as well as videos of current ad campaigns and advice to help consumers choose their perfect appliance.

Teresa Arbuckle, Marketing Director of Beko plc, comments: “We have invested heavily in marketing the Beko brand this year through spending on print and broadcast advertising, our sponsorship of the FA Cup and long-running Facebook initiative, Beko Mums United. The new-look Beko website acts as an information hub – not just a directory of products but a resource for new and existing customers to find products, choose an appliance or see the latest installment of our popular baby Billy TV campaign.”

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Creating a unique bedside bracket for the suites of Norwegian Epic cruise ship, Chelsom teamed a contemporary chrome LED reading bracket with a stunning shade which stretches soft white PVC across a multi-faceted frame. An internal wrapped cylinder diffuses the light source to provide subtle illumination for these luxury staterooms.

Designed in part by Tillberg Design, cruise line specialists, the interior design scheme throughout the ship is fresh and fun, offering innovative and flexible accommodation for a variety of guests. The lighting brief required contemporary fittings throughout the ship which were highly functional yet unique in appearance.

Will Chelsom, who spearheads the Chelsom cruise lighting division comments, “this bespoke design cleverly blends two of our best selling ranges into a striking fitting which is perfect for this environment. The LED flexi-arm offers excellent reading light; the main part of the fittings is low energy and finished in contemporary chrome and the PVC shade is very easy to maintain.”

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Setting new standards in customer support, Wavin has launched an online newsletter and web-based advice service that is totally free and developed specifically to support professional plumbing and heating installers.

Plumbed-in brings together all Wavin’s market-leading brands like Hep2O, OSMA, Hepworth and Thermoboard onto one platform that shows how they provide an integrated solution to all domestic plumbing heating and drainage.

The Plumbed-in email not only gives news, tips and know-how but also provides updates on the latest products and ideas. Online, professionals can register on the website www.plumbed-in.com to receive news, tips and technical features with expert advice on everything from underfloor heating to push-fit plumbing.

Whether by email or website, subscribers to Plumbed-in will be the first to hear the latest offers and promotions from the UK’s leading supplier of water management, plumbing, heating and drainage systems for the Building, Construction and Utilities markets.

The website offers detailed advice from Wavin’s technical team, which offers all the help needed for any aspect of domestic installations, together with an email enquiry service to deal with any practical query. Not only are there specialist heating engineer and plumbing zones but the site offers downloads to help with every element of everyday work. These include product and technical literature, video guides and demonstrations, press articles and features.

The move is Wavin’s recognition that customers are becoming far more familiar with digital formats and that these offer significant benefits, being faster to update and more accessible to customers as well as being sustainable as they require no paper, ink or logistics.

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Interior designers will be able to share their creative vision with clients in an instant with a new, free iPad app from Dulux Trade paints. The Dulux Trade Colour Concept app allows professional designers and architects to bring their ideas to life by quickly and effortlessly creating concept boards.

Via the application, designers can choose from an array of shades in the Dulux Trade Colour Palette, explore coordinating colours and draw inspiration from a gallery of images to bring together their concept on screen. What's more, designers can upload and incorporate their own images into a mood board and match them up with existing Dulux Trade paint colours.

Ideas can also be combined, edited and reworked with ease on the free form interactive canvas which designers are able to annotate to add useful project tips and information. The creative concept boards can then instantly be shared with clients, colleagues and other designers online or via email.

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As the UK’s leading developer of electrical software, AMTECH offers a complete electrical design solution for electrical engineers and consultants working on major projects.

The complete range includes ProDesign for fast, accurate electrical system design and calculation, SingleCable for quick single cable calculations and Protect LV or HV for protection studies and device selection. Designer Suite packages also incorporate PowerNet HV for the calculation of short circuit currents in low and high voltage distribution systems.

These market leading design software packages are available in a range of levels so that users can select the functionality that best suits their needs – all designed to accommodate the changes being introduced in Amendment 1 to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).

With high performance functionality and full integration between ProDesign, Protect and FastTest Test & Inspection software, AMTECH software helps users work smarter with major time savings and productivity improvements.

The top 20 electrical consulting companies choose AMTECH… Why not join them today?

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