Getting tough at the centre!
“
Working in London got tougher this
month with the introduction of the
ULEZ (Ultra low emissions zone)
charge to add to the daily congestion
charge” Said proud Londoner, Brendan
Beaver, Manager of Metrel UK, the
innovative provider of electrical testing
solutions. “Relatively new diesel engines
are public enemy number one in London.
And it is going to be the same in many
city centres in the next year or so if
councils get there way.”
“One topic ULEZ has brought to the
fore is the shortage of vehicle charging
points around the city. It is all well and
good introducing a toll to limit access
to central London for older internal
combustion engines but when the
chance of getting an electric vehicle
stuck in town due to the shortage
of recharging facilities, what is the
alternative?”
“The rush to plug has bright side for
electrical contractors. We will need to
install huge numbers of recharging
points, both public and private, inside
the north and south circular roads
before 2021; at least a few hundreds of
thousands.“
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“Good news and their installation is
clearly covered by the 18th edition.”
“The 18th Edition says the charging
point needs to be protected by either
a RCD type B or a RCD type A and
appropriate equipment that ensures
disconnection of the supply in case of a
DC fault above 6 mA. What it does not
suggest is how to test them.”
“Testing type A breakers is easy enough.
All RCD testers test 30 mA RCDs trip
times and some test the trip current.
Type Bs are a little bit more difficult
but some level of most manufacturers’
testers offer type B testing usually
starting at around 15 mA DC.”
“6mA DC breaker can only be tested by 2
multifunction testers in the market, and
they are both made by Metrel, the MI
3155 and the more appropriately priced
MI3152.”
“It is vitally important that the breakers
are tested. In a recent survey, more
than 50% of installers when asked said
that they had experienced RCD failure
straight out of the box. And the best
way of achieving this is with the whole
installation.”
“There are a few interfaces available to
assist testing the whole system but the
only one is designed by a multi-tester
manufacturer.”
“Surprise, surprise, it comes from
Metrel. The innovative EVSE Adapters
A 1532, which plugs directly into
charge points, known as electrical
vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to
the regulators, giving access without
opening the box.”
“One of the immediate advantages
is that the adapter accesses the
charge point in the same manner as
an electrical vehicle and thus tests
the system as whole. It can test the
charging point in all charging state
outputs, disconnected, charge ready,
active charging (with and without
ventilation) and pilot error.”
“So the user can plug their £20k+ car
in without fear that is will burst in to
flames, and you have a real business
opportunity!”
To find out more go to http://bit.ly/e-
car-test or call us on 01924 245000.