Electrical Contracting News (ECN) August 2017 | Page 3

CONTENTS VOLUME 37 NO. 08 • AUGUST 2017 CONTENTS… Special features: Lighting Regulars 5 Editorial It’s show time! 7 Industry News Electrifying news coverage. 14 Contract News Catch up with the biggest projects around. 28 The cost of LEDs and fi ttings can be a challenge for contractors to cost- justify the switchover from legacy HID lamps. Michael Morrison, of Light Effi cient Design UK, highlights the benefi ts of retrofi t alternatives. 31 Rob Crookes, product manager at CP Electronics, explores the best connector confi guration for modular lighting control applications. 24 Project Focus Harrow Council is installing Aico’s mains-powered multi sensor fi re alarms. 26 Competition Win a top music streamer courtesy of Connected Distribution. 33 Human centric lighting harnesses the power of natural daylight to improve the well-being and performance of workers and students. Paul Jones, sales director for UK and Ireland at BEG, explores its impact. 37 Lighting Round-Up: ECN turns the spotlight on some illumining solutions. 52 Technology is changing customer expectations. Neil Plumbley, operations director at Protean Software, explains how technology can improve customer satisfaction, increase service revenues and boost contract renewals. Software and Apps 20 Key Issue The FIA asks if qualifi cations can fi x the skills gap? 22 Training Top training news from the coal-face of the industry. 44 Claire Fletcher discovers how a new app from Pro Certs Software provides electricians with instant access to all the tools, reference charts and tables required for complex electrical calculations. 46 Alan Darlow, commercial director of Pemsa UK, highlights the benefi ts of building information modelling and explains how the company’s cable management systems are supported in the BIM work environment. 48 Dan Mott, contracts manager at Electrical Installation and Appliance Testing, explains how a new mobile app from Design and Management Systems has cut client reporting from 28 days to just four. 55 Company Showcase If it’s hot news, it’s in here. Features 12 Electrical Design and Installation Expo (ED&I) Get signed up for the UK’s national electrical event. UK & IRELAND’S LEADING ESTIMATING SERVICE We specialise in providing timely, cost-effective estimates for Electrical & Mechanical companies throughout the UK, Ireland & Worldwide. Call 0800 052 6115 to speak with us today. www.hotcost.co.uk [email protected]