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Thorn’s Quattro LED luminaire brings the benefits of LED lighting to recessed ceiling grid installations. It has one of the most homogeneous colour temperatures in the industry, a high colour rendering index (CRI) of 92, efficacies of up to 66 luminaire lumens /circuit Watt – far exceeding the target value of Part L – and is designed to last at least 50,000 hours. Moreover, with a choice of opal or micro prism diffuser there are soft, low brightness solutions for offices, schools and retail environments. The product utilises a Cree 58W LED light engine, which generates white light in a new way: a row of fittings will have the same colour temperature of 3500K, whereas most other LED fittings will have variations.

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In a significant move for the painting and decorating industry, Dulux Trade has launched a new range of solvent based gloss products which are its whitest ever . The improved portfolio includes Dulux Trade New Work Gloss, and Dulux Trade High Gloss in White and Pure Brilliant White, which have been shown in tests to be the company's whitest ever glosses, along with enhanced undercoats, which offer a flatter finish than previous versions. Importantly, this latest development means professional decorators and painting contractors can achieve a superb quality, high gloss finish.

As a result of changes in Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) legislation, which required all paint manufacturers to reformulate their solvent based trim paints, some professional tradesman have experienced increased yellowing in VOC compliant glosses, especially in new build environments. Understanding the challenges and issues this caused appliers and their customers, Dulux Trade has placed significant investment in improving its solvent-based gloss solutions so that decorators and contractors need not sacrifice ease of application over product performance.

The result of this extensive research and development is a new breed of solvent based trim paints that boast improved whiteness. In particular, the enhanced Dulux Trade Undercoat has been reformulated to provide the low sheen level experienced decorators prefer in an undercoat, and the glosses to deliver great whiteness, along with a high gloss finish and excellent opacity. What's more, by using these new coatings, customers can experience all the benefits of using solvent-based coatings such as exceptional application properties, easier flow out of brush marks, and durability against dirt pick up and grease.

“Since the reduction of VOCs, yellowing has been a key issue across the painting and decorating industry and one that leading manufacturers have looked to solve in various ways. While water-based glosses provide an alternative to traditional solvent borne paints, these coatings are not favoured by all professionals across all project types,” said Stephanie Brown, Brand Manager for Dulux Trade Core. “As we believe decorators and painting contractors shouldn't have to compromise or adapt their way of working, Dulux Trade has continued to innovate its traditional solvent borne glosses”.

“Through this research, Dulux Trade has created a new generation of trim paints. This move is key for professionals as it now means they can choose a product to suit, with the confidence that it will deliver on durability and performance.”

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Demonstrating the benefits including improvements in the potential performance and energy savings from the retrofit installation of Sustainable Water Treatment to existing building services is a major factor in the take-up and case for investment. And being able to demonstrate what’s flowing where, not flowing or even flowing backwards can go a long way to establishing confidence with potential customers that your company knows what its doing!

Surveying existing large-scale heating and HWS installations to establish a basis for installing improvements can be a daunting task and Environmental Treatment Concepts (ETC) www.electronicdescaler.com have found that the PF330 portable clamp-on flow and heat-meter from Micronics www.micronicsflowmeters.com is an ideal tool for the job.

Established in 1989 ETC has helped many commercial and industrial clients save thousands of pounds with their Effective Physical Water Treatment. Water that is naturally hard, as in 70% of the UK contains dissolved calcium and other minerals and their effect on pipe work and water systems can be disastrous including reducing heat exchanger energy efficiency by up-to 40% due to lime scale build-up. The Micronics products are used to demonstrate how bad the performance is before installation and the improvements in efficiency following installation with LTHW pipe sizes ranging from circa 2 to 18 inches. The ETC products prevent new and reduce existing lime scale, water flow rate is a key factor in the process and the PF330 provides the essential information for assessment and timeframes for improvement.

Having considered various suppliers ETC selected the Micronics – PF330 – Time of Flight – portable flow instrument plus heat-meter data-logger. Portable Clamp-On Ultrasonic flow measurement has clear advantages for survey work and Micronics were selected as the supplier due to a combination of their long-term experience with non-invasive, Clamp-On technology, product performance and pre-order assistance.

ETC Technical Services Manager – Simon Elliot says “The PF330 has proved to be a great tool to undertake plant surveys including identification of circulation shortfalls, even pumps going backwards. It provides a real insight into what’s going on, like having X-ray vision. And it’s also a valuable tool for demonstrating how well our installations work to improve performance and reduce energy consumption. The Micronics website and pre-order support was good and the products are simple to use. We’ve got a lot of Public sector – MOD and Hospital installations with very old pipe work where we’ve been pleased with the product performance and the ongoing service support has been there when we’ve needed it.”

The potential for similar use is significant and ETC’s experience is an example of how Clamp-On – Ultrasonic technology can be successfully implemented to gather information on water services installations. For further information call +44(0)1628 810456, or visit www.micronicsflowmeters.com

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Following on from last year's success, ICI Paints AkzoNobel will be showcasing its range of market-leading products on stand 25 at this year's National Painting and Decorating show.

On-stand there will be an assortment of giveaways and handy literature available for visitors to take away and what's more, the company has teamed up with the event organisers to give away iPads to four lucky visitors each day.

James Green, Communications Manager at ICI Paints AkzoNobel comments: “Last year's National Painting and Decorating show was one of the most successful to'date for ICI Paints AkzoNobel, with a fantastic buzz on-stand throughout the event.”

James continues: “With a bustling programme of activities planned for this year, we are confident that 2011 will be even better. Our expert support service and quality products ensure we can help professionals deliver cost-effective, premium results.”

The company's extensive portfolio of high profile brands includes Dulux Trade, Glidden Trade, Polycell Trade, Sikkens and Cuprinol Trade. On-stand, experts from the manufacturer will be on hand to deliver professional advice to visitors and provide guidance on its range of high performance trade paints.

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Thorn’s Planor SR now employs LED technology to guarantee lighting quality. The lay-in 600mm sq luminaire uses a dimmable Cree 58W LED module with active colour management and a micro prismatic lighting technique that regulates the light through pyramidal prisms. This ensures colour temperature stability of 3500K through life, a colour rendering index (CRI) of 92 and reduced glare. Elegant and technically sophisticated it solves one of those eternal problems – how to give even, yet ‘soft’ lighting over an entire desk surface.

The minimalist design of the semi-recessed silver-grey frame evokes association to flat panel displays, while the use of LEDs and aluminium ensures a long life (50,000 hours at 70% lumen output) and minimal environmental impact. This makes the Planor SR LED the perfect solution for tomorrow’s sports and leisure centres.

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Daikin Europe N.V. has embarked on creating an imposing European Development Centre (EDC) at its headquarters in Ostend, chosen as a site for the centre by Daikin’s Japanese parent company on account of its available and extensive expertise. The first of its kind in Europe, the EDC will play an important role in the development of innovative and energy efficient alternatives to traditional and conventional heating solutions.

Products for Europe made in Europe

The Ostend EDC will evolve in the future into an important research and development base with satellite centres in the Czech Republic and Germany and will be given a high degree of autonomy to develop its own design concepts and solutions specifically for the European market. In this respect Daikin Europe Chairman, Frans Hoorelbeke commented: “over the years we have become increasingly responsive to the diverse needs of the European market and this has given us a significant competitive advantage. We see the EDC as an extension of this since it will enable us to develop products in the same environment in which we sell, particularly in the heating sector”.

The company is already equipped with a great deal of innovative technology stemming from the development of its environmentally conscious, energy efficient, Daikin Altherma heat pump, which is rapidly gaining a significant share of the European heating market. The EDC is expected to play an important role in meeting this market’s requirements across an even wider base.

Investing in staff and technology

The first phase of the development of the EDC is associated with an investment of around 13 million euros, mainly for technology and infrastructure and work has commenced on the construction of several new hi tech testing rooms, one of which will enable engineers to simulate all climatic conditions extant throughout the 27 European countries. Daikin Europe expects to engage a team of 200 specialists by 2015, ranging from young University graduates to experienced researchers and engineers to augment the existing staff in Ostend.

Commenting on the training of new EDC staff, Bart Teerlynck, Deputy General Manager EDC, stated: “the market for climate solutions is at a turning point. We already have a great deal of in house know-how and have therefore, designed a training programme to educate EDC team members in a wide range of differing skills, some of which will be carried out in Japan”.

Daikin Europe’s Japanese parent company Daikin Industries Ltd. is also planning to open similar centres in China and the United States.

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Fakro roof windows have been used by SE5 Architects in their design of Pineapple Cottage, converting it from a mid-Victorian cottage to a modern four-bedroom home. The house, which is situated near Peckham Rye Park in South East London, has been transformed to provide a light-filled, contemporary interior as SE5 architect Elizabeth Borowiecka commented. “We had not specified Fakro's products previously but the company came to our notice by recommendation. The scope to use so many windows in combination was ideal as we wanted to create a light and airy space in the middle of the building”.

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Housed in a rugged compact case that makes it ideal for use in the field, the MIT30 offers continuously variable output voltage from 0 to 30 kV with test currents up to 330 µA. The maximum output voltage and current can be achieved simultaneously, which allows fast charging of capacitive test pieces, thereby significantly reducing testing times.

• 30 kV d.c. insulation test
• Small and light, only 10 kg
• Rugged IP67 case
Multiple applications
In response to growing demand for a portable high accuracy, low current test set suitable for testing insulation at up to 30 kV, Megger has introduced the new MIT30 high voltage insulation tester.

Housed in a rugged compact case that makes it ideal for use in the field, the MIT30 offers continuously variable output voltage from 0 to 30 kV with test currents up to 330 µA. The maximum output voltage and current can be achieved simultaneously, which allows fast charging of capacitive test pieces, thereby significantly reducing testing times.

Typical applications of this innovative instrument include acceptance and maintenance testing of switchgear and transformers, as well as the testing of spark gaps used in radar installations, EMP suppression systems, and to provide back-up over-voltage protection for klystrons and BWOs (backward wave oscillators).
High level of accuracy
Digital readouts display the test voltage and current continuously during a test, with an accuracy of ± 1.5%. Resolution for the voltage readout is 10 V, and for the current readout 100 nA. To further enhance testing accuracy, the MIT30 incorporates a current guard circuit that allows the influence of external effects, such as surface leakage, to be minimised.
Protects the test piece
To protect the test piece from flashovers and possible damage, the MIT30 features a user adjustable current trip that can be set between 0 and 360 µA. Also incorporated is an ionisation detector that gives an audible indication of any electrical discharges that occur while the test is in progress.
Deisign with users in mind
The ergonomic design of the MIT30 ensures ease of use, and reduces the amount of training needed to familiarise new users with the instrument. Operator safety is enhanced by features that include a zero-start interlock, a cable interlock with a bright LED indicator and outputs that are protected for both short- and open-circuit conditions.

Also incorporated as standard is a heavy-duty discharge assembly that rapidly discharges not only the power supply but also the test piece, thereby minimising the risk of shock hazards.

Weighing just 10 kg, and with an IP67 ingress protection rating when closed (IP52 when in use), Megger’s MIT30 high-voltage low-current insulation tester operates from AC supplies from 85 V to 264 V with frequencies from 47 Hz to 440 Hz. Operation from DC supplies in the range 110 V to 350 V is also supported.

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Amtech, the market leading developer of software for the Building Services Industry, has brought together all its software and services under a single new brand.

The new Amtech brand encompasses familiar names from the industry including, Luckins, Estimation, National Engineering Specification (Nes) and AMTECH Power Software. The result is an end to end solution – from Specification Writing and Design through Estimating, and Procurement, to Inspection and Testing and Service Management. The solutions are designed for engineers and contractors of all sizes, from a company with decades of experience in supplying software and information services to the building services industry.

To coincide with the launch of the new brand, Amtech is also developing a major new Contractor Directory to help contractors gain more exposure and win more work. This new site will be launched in the New Year and will be provided as a free service to all M & E contractors.

To celebrate these significant milestones, Amtech has also announced a major free prize draw, giving contractors an opportunity to win a brand new Mercedes van, complete with sign writing and up to 5 years free servicing! In association with Mercedes-Benz and Intercounty Truck and Van Ltd.

All you need to do to enter is visit Amtech’s new website at www.amtech.co.uk and enter your details into the new Luckinslive.com Contractor Directory – it’s as simple as that!

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