Therefore, I purchased an additional, necessary piece of electrical test equipment to be able to test the EVCP’s (at a cost of £500.00), completed the course, received my certification and so set about registering as an approved installer for several charging point manufacturers including one I believe to be one of the most well known, Rolec.

After filling out their rather lengthy form and submitting different requested documentation to them, I was surprised to hear back from them requesting proof of purchase of one of their OWN testing units. I had already explained that I owned a test meter to be able to test all EVCP’s but they still came back to me with the request.

So then I obtained the MD of Rolecs’ email address and sent him an email querying the request to which another member of staff replied confirming that I do indeed need to purchase one of their testers to be on their list of approved installers. The person admitted to me that the tester I already own would more that do the job but stated that I still had to buy one of theirs at a cost of another £400.00 plus as it was company policy for all approved installers.

If this isn’t blatent greed from this company then I don’t know what is?

Here we can see the Beha Amprobe EVA-500-UK EVCP tester that I own. This unit is used in conjunction with a multi-function tester to allow EVCP’s to be tested.

It is manufactured by a dedicated electrical test instrument company that has been making test instruments since 1948 so I think they might just know what they are doing in terms of building such pieces of equipment.

Here we can see the Rolec EVTU0018

It looks to me like something that has been knocked together in somebody’s garden shed rather than a piece of professional test equipment.

I asked Rolec exactly what their unit actually does that other “proper units” don’t do but never got a reply to that one.

I have since completed training with another manufacturer who, although also make their own test units, don’t insist on installers purchasing one instead stating that any test unit has to conform to certain standards.

If it was really necessary to have to test Rolec points with a Rolec tester only, it would make great business sense for them to give them away to their approved installers. I wouldn’t exactly think it costs much to produce one and I’m sure sales of their charging points would surge.

So Rolec, I for one won’t be installing your products. I just wonder exactly how many other potential installers there are that won’t be installing your products either because of your greed?

The post Greedy Companies appeared first on Alan Bower Electrical.

The new keypads are available in 5 different colours: Satin Chrome, Matt Bronze, Antique Brass, Matt Black and White.

Each keypad offers 6 buttons which are preconfigured with 3 scenes, off and master raise and lower butons

The post New Rako Keypads appeared first on Alan Bower Electrical.

From 1 July 2020, private landlords must make sure that all electrical installations are inspected and tested by a registered electrician.

The electrician will produce an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR).

The report will either:

• confirm that all installations meet the required safety standards
• tell the landlord to undertake further investigative or repair work within 28 days

The report also states when the next electrical safety check is due. Checks must be carried out at least every 5 years, or sooner if the report says so.

Your landlord must give you a copy of the report within 28 days of the inspection.

When an electrical safety check must be done by

For private tenancies starting on or after 1 June 2020, the first check must be done before your tenancy starts. 

A prospective landlord must give you a copy of the most recent report before you move in or if you ask for it in writing. 

For private tenancies that started before 1 June 2020, your landlord has until 1 April 2021 to make sure the first check is done.

Electrical safety checks aren’t required if you live with your landlord as a lodger. 

The post EICR’s for Landlords appeared first on Alan Bower Electrical.