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Take control of the environment in a living or workspace with Theben’s KNX-compatible VARIA eight-channel display and controller with integral room thermostat.

VARIA, with its sleek stainless steel buttons on a raised glass fascia offers elegant styling with a rugged, long-lasting design that eliminates fragile touch screens.

It can display KNX-programmed profiles in as many as eight rooms, offering control over up to three functions in each of them that combine to provide the right ‘room scene’ for, say, reading, watching TV or sleeping. Scenes can be selected at the touch of an elegant button, and users can adjust levels within limits defined at the time of installation.

VARIA can add an extra level of KNX intelligence and over-ride these programmes for instance if ambient light levels suggest electric lighting is not needed after all, or is presence detectors indicate that a room is unoccupied.

VARIA has an integral room thermostat and can be used to programme zoned heating control by installing sister thermostats in other rooms.

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Repairing a bridge is a meticulous task that requires the combination of precision engineering with materials that offer proven strength and performance. This was the task facing Wilf Noble Civil Engineering of Whitby but, with the help of timber sourced and supplied by leading timber supplier, Timbmet, an ideal solution was achieved. The bridge in question in need of renovation was the 414ft long Scarborough Bridge, originally opened to the public in 1827. This historic spa bridge required extensive renovation work to the decking and walkways supports.

The solution involved Timbmet sourcing specialist Ekki timber, a dark heartwood which grows on the West coast of Africa and which is renowned for its strength, durability and resistance to decay. The original construction of the bridge involved the edge timbers being spliced to the main support beams, but over time, these began to sag, with heavy corrosion affecting the safety and strength of the connections holding the timber in place.

Timbmet’s manufacturing team took on the task of sourcing the timber and accurately machining the beams allowing the connections to fit precisely. Now the beams span the entire width of the deck, without affecting the trademark wrought iron arches supporting the bridge. Finally, Wilf Noble repainted the surface of the new deck, matched and textured to complement the existing footways.

Alex Peoples of Wilf Noble is delighted with the engineering achievement. “Working with the Timbmet manufacturing team was a pleasure. They were helpful, knowledgeable and professional. The accuracy of the machining enabled us to fit the timbers without problems; the overall service was very good which ensured that the project ran smoothly.”

This was echoed by the client, North Yorkshire County Council, whose chief bridge engineer, John Smith expressed delight with the finished result. “A great deal of forethought has gone into the engineering of this project and I think the bridge now looks magnificent, something that everyone in Scarborough can be very proud of.”

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Tyco Electronics Energy Division has launched a new Crompton Instruments energy meter that is flexible and can be used in a broad variety of applications.

The new Integra Ci3 meter is the first of a new generation of digital metering systems that complements the existing Crompton Instruments Integra range. All the main electrical and power quality parameters can be measured from any supplies. Twenty fundamental measurements are offered, including single and three-phase, total harmonic distortion (THD), currents, frequency, KWh and so forth.

The Integra Ci3 digital metering system is programmable to suit single-, three-phase three-wire and three-phase four-wire systems, while scalable current transformer ratios enable the display of any current range. The backlit LCD display simply clicks into place during manufacturing and screens are selected by the end user using four simple buttons and an intuitive interface. Two plug-in output ports allows a combination of various output modules – for example, pulsed relay and/or Modbus output – to be incorporated.

At the heart of the instrument is a homogenous single board that houses all the electronics for the meter. The central processors have been rationalised to give a common development platform for future extensions to the Crompton Instruments range of products. Even the development tools (software) are common. This gives almost limitless scalability and a high degree of ‘future proofing’ as both the Crompton Instruments product range and end user’s systems develop or grow.

The installation of the Integra Ci3 meter is simplicity itself. The DIN 96 enclosure has integral retention clips to enable fast, safe and secure panel mounting in various material thicknesses without any external screws of clips. The meter gives true RMS measurement and is fully CE certified. An IP65 protective cover is available for harsh environments.

The design of the product started with the involvement the voice of customers and internal sales, design, product management, procurement and manufacturing teams. Apart from resulting in a holistic process to ensure design efficiency, this early consultation influenced the manufacturing methods deployed, improved and truncated the design phase and ensured a high quality, reliable product from the first production runs. Only high quality standard value components are used – the risks and costs associated with bespoke or semi-bespoke devices is reduced, as is the need to carry discrete spares.

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Mitsubishi Electric has opened a new Renewable Training Centre at its headquarters in Travellers Lane, Hatfield enabling the company to double the availability of training courses.

The company is also forging on-going links with schools and colleges to fill the knowledge gap surrounding renewable technologies and capture the next generation of plumbing, heating, air conditioning and photovoltaic (PV) installers.

“We intend to increase awareness and understanding of renewable technologies from the classroom to career,” explains Donald Daw, Commercial Director for the company’s Living Environmental Systems Division. “In doing so, we not only plan to help raise standards within the industry but also increase the level of understanding amongst the public.

The new facility more than doubles the amount of floor space available for training and will increase the number of training places to 4,000 per year. The centre allows the company to provide 12 different courses covering air conditioning, domestic heating, commercial heating and control systems.

It also provides display areas for all these technologies, heat recovery ventilation for both commercial and residential buildings and the range of advanced PV systems.

These showrooms contain a full range of live operational products so that course attendees can go beyond the text book to undertake working diagnostics. The company believes this is vital if engineers are to gain a complete picture of the issues surrounding the installation and use of renewable technologies.

Mitsubishi Electric has pioneered high standards in the air conditioning industry since being the first company to tie warranties to log books ten years ago. Now a major part of the heat pump sector, the company is looking for ways to encourage plumbers and heating engineers to obtain Micro Certification Scheme (MCS) accreditation to ensure every installation delivers the very best performance.

“Independent research has demonstrated that heat pumps can offer a viable mass-market alternative to gas and oil heating, if they are installed and commissioned correctly into suitable buildings,” explains Daw.

“However, the year-long trials by the Energy Saving Trust also highlight the need to increase awareness of the possibilities of renewable technology amongst consumers and that is why we are looking beyond the industry and targeting education,” he added.

Around 44 per cent of total UK emissions come from buildings and over 83 per cent of these are generated during the operational life of these buildings. Daw therefore sees the specification, commissioning, installation and maintenance of the technologies we use to heat, cool and power our buildings as crucial in helping the country reach tough emissions targets in the coming years.

Mitsubishi Electric has established links with Cornwall College and South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride which will see these provide training for the Ecodan® range of air source heat pumps. The company is also in discussions with several other heating and plumbing colleges, with a view to establishing nationally recognised training courses.

“We wanted to extend the traditional notion of training that manufacturers provide and use this facility to go beyond our own product range so that we can encourage students to explore the wider concepts of renewable technology,” explains Daw.

A pilot programme designed to increase awareness of the renewable industry amongst schoolchildren is also being developed with local schools in the Hatfield area to widen understanding of how the technology works. Once up and running, the company will look to expand the programme to other schools around the country, near to its network of offices.

For Donald Daw, this last element is a key part of the company’s long-term strategy. “We sit at the crossroads between carbon-based heating for our built environment and the renewable technology that will help lower monthly bills and cut carbon emissions,” he explains.

“However, the renewable industry will fail to realise the full potential of low carbon technologies unless it looks beyond its traditional boundaries and helps to fill the knowledge gap that exists.”

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The search is underway once more to find the best brickwork in action for the 2011 Brick Awards, organised by the Brick Development Association.

The Awards are one of the top design and construction awards in the country and show just what brick – the UK's most popular cladding material – can achieve, as hundreds of companies submit outstanding projects.

The standards are high, the competition fierce. Last year's winners included the Olympic Substation, a renovated 18th century folly, a performing arts centre in Sevenoaks and a mixed tenure housing development in East London.

Entrants are judged on architectural design demonstrating sustainability credentials and the choice of brick. The judges are also seeking attention to good brick detailing, sustainability and quality craftsmanship.

“For the winners it's true recognition of their skill and craft. They're recognised by their industry as being the best in the business.” says BDA chairman Alan Baxter. “Alongside that recognition, winners can look forward to extensive media coverage and can use the accolade in their marketing campaigns”.

14 trophies and one supreme award, the BDA Building of the Year, are up for grabs. The Awards are open to anyone, whether they are architects/designers, building owners, developers, housebuilders, contractors or brick manufacturers. The only stipulation is that the project – unless it's featured in the International or Worldwide categories – must feature clay bricks or pavers made by BDA members.

The 2011 Brick Awards will be presented at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel in London on 2 November. Entry forms and further information about the categories are available on the BDA website, www.brick.org.uk/brickawards2011. Hard copies can also be requested by emailing brick@brick.org.uk or by calling 020 7323 7030. The closing date for entries is 17 June 2011.

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MK Electric, the UK’s leading manufacturer of wiring devices and accessories, has added dimmers suitable for use with dimmable Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs) to its Logic Plus range. A response to changes in European legislation regarding lamps, the dimmers are primarily intended for use in domestic environments; but will similarly perform in small offices and commercial buildings.

The ability to dim CFLs not only provides the user with additional lighting flexibility within the home; but also assists in prolonging lamp life. MK claims that the dimmer is suitable for use with dimmable CFLs from a wide range of well-known manufacturers.

The company has also exploited commercial research that shows that dimmable CFLs should be initially switched on at maximum brightness in order to ensure optimum lamp life. Consequently, the new MK K1525 WHI dimmer has an integral function which causes the lamp to be switched on at its full rating and then dim down to the pre-set level after ‘warm up’.

While standard intelligent dimmers may well work with dimmable CFLs, there is – given the variety of individual manufacturers’ performance characteristics – no guarantee that optimum lifetimes will be maintained. For instance, when controls are set at minimum lamps may not come on or, if a lamp is already on and the control adjusted to minimum, could flicker or go out; while still consuming power. The MK K1525 WHI dimmer switch has the minimum output set at a level that means lamps should always remain on.

Similarly, dimmer switches typically have a minimum rating of 40W, while dimmable CFLs are generally available rated at 20W. The MK K1525 WHI dimmer switch, however, has a minimum output rating of 11W; meaning lamps will ramp up and down smoothly over the control’s full range without flicker.

The immensely popular Logic Plus range is designed to complement contemporary interiors and is probably the largest selection of wiring accessories available in any single range on the market today. Technically, they exceed British Standard requirements with patented features that make the products the most advanced and safest available.

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As we move towards zero carbon housing, learning how to construct 'airtight' roofs in relation to the use of roof windows, solar systems and other penetrations is proving to be increasingly valuable. Klober and Roto's newly announced joint training course has been designed to combine practical aspects of roof window, underlay and accessory installation as part of an overall airtightness strategy. The 2-day courses are scheduled to take place bi-monthly at Roto's premises in Rugby. The emphasis is very much 'hands-on', covering how to make all areas of the roof air and windtight and which products can be used to achieve this. Klober MD David Arendell commented, “With so many queries arising about warm roof construction and loft conversions in particular, training from two roofing specialists is an entirely new approach. Response from those who have attended has confirmed that we have tapped into a demand which has existed for some time. We were grateful for the encouragement we received from the NFRC to take the initiative.”

For further information on the next training course on 6th and 7th September and 8th & 9th November contact 0800 783 3216.

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At a series of free events being held throughout the UK, test equipment expert Megger is providing electrical contractors with information and novel ideas that will help them to expand the range of services they provide and generate more income.

• Free entry
• Ideas for making more money
• More than 80 events
• All round the country
• Programme runs through the year

Not just product – more the market The event – MoneyTalks! – is based on Megger’s recent hugely successful Business in a Box promotion, which has already helped dozens of contractors to substantially increase their profits. It will focus on alternative opportunities for electrical contractors and installers to get their business growing again. Rather than dwelling on the technicalities of the opportunities, the testing procedures and the available equipment, MoneyTalks! will discuss the market drivers, the alternatives, and how to reach and sell to potential customers.

Only 2 hours Lasting around two hours, MoneyTalks! will discuss potential business opportunities, including PAT testing, the law and an explanation of why every business in the UK must its assets tested regularly, before going on to describe how contractors can market their services effectively at very modest cost.

Finding your customers Tips for identifying potential customers are provided, along with valuable information about the best arguments to use when selling services to these customers. MoneyTalks! also considers the problem of pricing, which is always a challenging issue for those moving into a new area of business.

In addition to the main presentations, there will also be ample opportunities for those attending the event to discuss their own specific requirements in relation to testing with Megger’s experts, who will be pleased to deal with both business-related and technical issues.

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The Vaisala INTERCAP® Humidity and Temperature Transmitter Series HMW80 combines proven stability with easy installation and reliable operation. The HMW80 offers both combined relative humidity and temperature measurement, as well as temperature-only measurement for temperature control applications. Its unique design helps prevent the distortion of temperature and relative humidity measurements that often affects sensor performance.

Ready to use out of the box, the HMW80 requires no preconfiguration or adjustment, and is easy to install thanks to its simple two-piece construction: just complete the wiring to the terminal block on the bottom of the unit, then snap on the lid of the electronics enclosure to complete the installation. This quick and simple process means that the electronics are not subjected to the dusty conditions often present during the early phases of a building project.

The HMW80's enclosure is made of UL V0-approved materials and is IP30 protected. The new design in signal white (RAL9003) color, blends in well on most modern office walls. The transmitter is compatible with European, US, and Japanese junction boxes, and is covered by a two-year warranty.

The HMW80 is available in four different versions:

• MW82: 4–20mA (temperature only)
• TMW83: 0–10V (temperature only)
• HMW82: 2x 4–20mA (relative humidity and temperature)
• HMW83: 2x 0–10V (relative humidity and temperature)

The high power output required by the measurement signals often distorts temperature and relative humidity measurements in wall sensors. This self-heating increases the temperature reading and decreases the humidity reading. This problem has been minimized in the HMW80 by using thermal modeling and testing during the design phase.

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FAKRO's topSafe® roof window hinge and lock reinforcement system has won the 2011 Home Building & Renovating magazine 'Product Excellence Award' for 'Building Components'. TopSafe provides the highest standard of security currently available in a standard roof window, details of which were highlighted at the NEC National Homebuilding & Renovating Show. As a means of burglary deterrence, topSafe is now routinely used by FAKRO, and recent photographic evidence showed that, despite evident use of a crowbar, an attempted break-in via 3 FTP-V centre pivot windows was successfully thwarted.

Ascent Publishing's Mike Hughes is seen presenting the award to Fakro Sales Director Phil Adams at the NEC.

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