But the fact remains that although small in size , wiring accessories represent a significant part of the investment in the electrical installation infrastructure . As public use of sockets increases with smartphone uptake , they deserve plenty of attention during the specification process .

Revise your specification

We live in the digital age where technology is advancing at an unprecedented rate . Ericsson ’ s latest Mobility Report revealed that in Q1 of 2017 , smartphones accounted for 80 % of all mobile phone purchases across the globe . Taking this into consideration , it ’ s unsurprising that there ’ s a growing need to charge portable devices whatever and wherever the location . You only have to take a look around a busy commercial building like an office or hotel to see evidence of this .

With an increase in smartphone uptake comes an increase in the number of people coming into contact with socket outlets on a daily basis . This is just one of the reasons why paying attention to wiring accessories during the specification process has become so important ; especially when you consider that the chargers being used might not always be official or safe for use .

It may be convenient to stick with the same specification for years on end but it can have its consequences . Contractors and specifiers that don ’ t take the time

‘ Keeping up-to-date with the new innovations on offer has never been more important .’

to revise specifications risk missing out on new and key innovations entering the market , many of which hold the potential to exceed regulations and make use and installation safer .

Most of these innovations go beyond the basic standards , meaning they need to be discussed separately during the specification process . When it comes down to it , it ’ s often a case of ‘ don ’ t ask , don ’ t get ’, so an understanding of what is available is key .

Safety is constantly evolving and there ’ s a universal understanding that it can always be improved . It ’ s time that specifiers give due attention to wiring accessories , revise their specifications regularly and take advantage of the latest innovations on offer .

Minimising the risk of electrical shock

It won ’ t come as a surprise that there are safety risks associated with active plug sockets , particularly surrounding the risk of electrical shock . To meet the minimum standard permitted for compliance to the British Standard BS 1363 , sockets in commercial builds are required to have an integral shutter mechanism . This prevents access to the live pins that can cause electric shock , unless the earth pin is engaged and inserted first .

Through the insertion of something into the earth pin first , this safety feature can be misused . Whether done intentionally or unintentionally , the ease at which misuse can take place presents a huge risk to the user and this has long been an issue in busy commercial buildings where specifications simply ask for the product standard .

However , it is possible to specify multipin safety shutter mechanisms that use additional measures ( over and above the requirements of the product standard ) to prevent inadvertent access . For example , to maximise safety , a twin action multi-pin safety shutter has been incorporated into

every socket throughout our new Instinct range at Crabtree .

A twin action multi-pin safety shutter ensures live and neutral openings in the plug socket remain closed , even when the earth pin is engaged . This exceeds the basic requirements of the British Standards and therefore this feature has to be specifically requested in the specification process , or else a specifier will end up with a basic shutter mechanism .

Combating counterfeits

Although there are concerns surrounding the sockets themselves , there ’ s also a new threat in the form of dangerous counterfeit charger leads and plugs that are being bought and used in commercial builds across the nation .

In fact , a test by the Chartered Trading Standards Institute in 2016 , found that only three out of approximately 400 counterfeit Apple chargers were insulated well enough to protect the user from electric shock .

The use of counterfeit chargers is a big issue in office builds , in which people bring their chargers to work . Allowing uncontrolled use of cheap third-party chargers in the workplace can increase risk of electrical fault .

In an ideal world , chargers brought into the workplace should be official and reliable to ensure the safety of others using the building . However , that ’ s easier said than done . It ’ s very tricky for an employer to regulate their employees ’ use and success depends entirely on behaviour and attitude . Consequently , the responsibility to protect staff is increasingly falling to the specifier .

Whilst it is difficult to prevent people using counterfeit chargers , to limit their risk and improve safety , specifiers can now source USB charging facilities in fixed installations . The USB outlets guarantee charger performance regardless .

Another safety feature available for specification is intelligent mobile device charging . This is a charging outlet that has the ability to recognise the type of device that ’ s drawing charge . Through such recognition , it automatically applies the correct charging regime . This protects smartphones and other devices against damage ( such as screen burn ) that can occur through the use of third-party chargers .

With the public ’ s growing desire to access sockets in public domains , keeping up-to-date with the new innovations on offer has never been more important . If specifiers and contractors give wiring accessories a little more attention , it ’ s possible to implement a managed risk process , maximise safety , and meet everchanging electrical expectations .

42 | October 2017