Flash memory inventor wins lifetime award for Simon Min Sze

Most of us would be able to live our life without this guys invention.

Taiwan researcher Simon Min Sze, a national endowed chair professor of electrical engineering at Hsinchu City-based National Chiao Tung University, was honored with this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award

NCTU hailed Sze’s 1967 co-invention of floating gate non-volatile semiconductor memory (NVSM), which gave rise to numerous memory devices including flash memory, as the most important of his fundamental and pioneering contributions to electrical engineering.

NVSM has enabled the development of modern electronic systems, including such varied inventions as smartphones, ultrabook computers, automatic braking systems in vehicles and GPS devices, NCTU said.

Sze’s invention of NVSM was originally inspired by a layered piece of cheesecake eaten by a South Korean co-worker, Dawon Kahng, at U.S.-based Bell Telephone Laboratories, NCTU said.

According to NCTU, Sze has also made groundbreaking contributions to semiconductor devices, especially metal-semiconductor contacts, microwave devices and submicron metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor technology.

and we all owe it to a layered piece of cheesecake

Lets hear it for the cheesecake

A man Who Owns Seven Tesla Electric Cars (In Norway)

As we have said previously in this Blog Norway is known for its love of electric cars, but there's one Norwegian who loves them more than most.

A recent Tesla Motors blog post tells the story of a "superowner" in the Scandinavian who not only has a Model S, but also six Roadster sports cars--apparently more Tesla electric cars than any other person on the planet.

Jens Kratholm is an opthalmologist living in the town of Narvik, located 136 miles north of the Arctic Circle--a place that's noteworthy in itself

Kratholm ordered his first Roadster sight unseen from a dealer in Denmark in 2010. It replaced a Volkswagen van.

Driving a two-seat, rear-wheel drive sports car in an Arctic environment seemed to be less of an issue than convincing his wife--Ellen Røsnes--that the battery-electric Roadster could perform as well as the Mercedes-Benz models she had her eye on...


Now, Kratholm is planning to buy an eighth Tesla--a Model X

Kerazey

Solar Panel installer breaks back in six metre fall (2011, just gone to court!)

A solar panel installation firm and its technical director have been prosecuted after an employee broke his back when he fell 6m through the roof light of a barn. James Hunt reports:

Christopher Morris from Woolston, near Warrington, aged 20 at the time, fell through a roof-light while installing solar PV panels on a barn roof for an Altrincham-based company called Alternative Energy Installations Ltd.

He sustained a serious back injury and spent 4 weeks in hospital. He has been unable to work since, and has suffered constant pain and depression since the incident at Norton Grounds, Daventry at the end of November 2011.

Ian Black of Denbigh, north Wales, a director of the firm and the site supervisor, has just been sentenced at Northampton Crown Court after pleading guilty at a hearing before magistrates in February last year.

Black, who was responsible for ensuring workers had adequate safety measures in place, was fined £7,300 and ordered to pay £6,700 in costs.

It turns out that Black had been aware that the barn’s roof lights were fragile, but he failed to put any measures in place to prevent falls, despite another worker asking whether they would be wearing safety harnesses, at which suggestion Black laughed, apparently saying: “What the **** do you want harnesses for?”

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) investigated and prosecuted, with the result that – in addition to Ian Black’s fine - Alternative Energy Installations Ltd., registered with Hodgsons Accountants of Park Road, Timperley, Cheshire, was fined £30,000 and ordered to pay £27,000 in costs after being found guilty of breaching Section 2(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Crawling boards and safety netting were subsequently used to continue the job after HSE served a Prohibition Notice ordering urgent safety improvements in the aftermath of the fall.

Following the hearing, HSE inspector Peter Snelgrove commented: “This fall could have been fatal and was entirely and easily preventable. As it is, the incident has dramatically affected a young man, starting out in life, and he has not worked again since. He has been affected personally, emotionally and physically and has had to change his whole way of life. He will more than likely need to retrain and his loss of self-confidence has had a drastic effect on his social life.

taken from http://www.voltimum.co.uk/articles/solar-pv-installer-breaks-back-six-metre-fall#sthash.jpX26Yu9.dpuf

Ever thought about using a smartphone to control your central heating?

A number of systems are now on sale that promise big savings.

One being launched claims it can save you as much as £400 a year on your energy bill.

Certainly the internet giant Google seems to have recognised the potential for the technology, having just snapped up the US manufacturer Nest for about £2bn.

All these systems work by maximising the time your heating is switched off. And switching it on only when you need it.

Many of these devices are far more sophisticated than simply switching your heating off and on remotely.

Using GPS technology, phones now know exactly where you are, and using that knowledge, systems can anticipate when you are likely to get home.

It will even take account of the local weather forecast, and adjust itself according to expected temperatures.

Think of the times of day that rooms are heated unnecessarily in your home.

Is the heat blasting out in your sitting room at six in the morning, when no-one will actually sit in there until six in the evening?

Is your bedroom cosy and warm at 19:00, just when you are in the kitchen having dinner?

For around £850 for a three-bedroom house, you can install a system that will allow you to heat each room individually.

Using your smartphone, or a central control panel, you can work out temperature profiles for every room in the house, and of course adjust them from anywhere in the world, providing there is an internet signal.

Honeywell, which makes the hardware in Scotland, claims you can save up to £400 a year on your energy bill by "zoning" your home in this way.

And it says the system should pay for itself in two or three years.

The Energy Saving Trust, is enthusiastic about the whole concept, but warns that those in small flats will probably see little benefit.

Eight million people in the UK do not yet have a basic room thermostat, for example, which can save £65 a year alone. Among other money-saving measures

• Taking electrical items off stand-by: saves up to £70
• Turning thermostat down by 1 degree: saves £65

Your lifestyle too will make a difference. Those without children, or who come home at unpredictable times, may have a greater potential to make savings than others.

 

British Gas has already launched its service, known as Hive, which claims to save customers up to £150 a year.

Scottish Power and Honeywell are due to launch their systems later this month.

watch this space and if we install one in our own homes - Thinking about it - we will give you cost saving updates from a real situation...

Have you turned your heating down?

We are going to be doing energy saving over the next couple of days.

The average household bill for gas and electricity is £1,320 - double what it cost ten years ago. To cut your bills one of the first things you should do is switch to the cheapest energy provider. After that it comes down to using less.

There are pretty much 2 ways to reduce the amount of energy you use - changing your home or changing your habits.

Altering the way you use energy is something you can implement today - the savings might not be as large but they don't cost you anything either. You've just got to remember to do them.

Making alterations to your home may come at a price but it can save you money in the longer term. There are key investments which, if right for your home, are likely to pay for themselves most quickly and save you the most money.


Change your home
You could save nearly £600 a year if you get the following sorted: draft proofing, swapping all traditional light bulbs for energy saving versions, getting an energy efficient shower head, installing a thermostat, insulating your cavity walls and loft.

Changing your habits

These are the kind of things you can change today, without spending any cash.

Understand your heating system and how to set it
This is easier said than done. Ideally you'd get the person who installed everything to explain it to you. If this isn't an option there is guidance on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Turning off appliances
Ok…forgive us for being obvious here but this could save a typical household £50 - £90 a year. The only things that shouldn't be turned off when not being used are satellite and digital TV boxes which have been set for recording programmes…oh and your fridge/freezer of course.

Taking shorter showers
Spending one minute less in the shower each day could save as much as £10 off your energy bills each year, per person in the household.

Being careful with the kettle
Only filling it up with as much water as you need could save around £7 a year.

Use a washing-up bowl
Using a bowl to wash up (rather than leaving the hot tap running) could save around £30 a year.

Wash your clothes at 30C
Washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius instead of 40 will save around £6 a year on energy bills.

*All calculations are based on an average electricity price of 13.52p/kWh. Correct as of January 2014 and valid for 2014

Most Random emergency call out

Most Random emergency call out of the week – Moreteyne Road, Marston where the ex partner stole all the fuses out of the appliances. Can you believe it?

have  a great weekend

Friday Fact

Nervous dogs wag their tails to the left, and happy dogs to the right (from the dog's point of view) - and fellow canines pick up on this lop-sided tail language.

You must be doing something right - less dying in fires

The number of people in the UK who have died as a result of a fire decreased between 2008 and 2010.

This is according to the World Fire Statistics Bulletin No 29, which has recently been published by the Geneva Association.

Data from a number of countries from around the world - such as the US, Singapore, Italy, The Netherlands, Japan and Australia - was extracted and analysed for the report, which covered statistics from 2008 to 2010.

Adjusting for deaths that were unknown to the UK's fire brigade and those not recorded on death certificates, it is estimated 445 people died as a result of a blaze in 2010.

This figure is lower than the 475 and 460 recorded in 2008 and 2009 respectively.

It was shown that the number of deaths per 100,000 population between 2008 and 2010 was 0.75 in the UK.

The report revealed how between 70 and 90 per cent of these fire fatalities occurred in domestic housing.

In terms of fire-related injuries, it is thought this figure stood at approximately 22,500 for 2009, when taking into account casualties unknown to the brigade or hospitals. This is lower than 2008's tally of 24,500.

The adjusted cost of public fire brigades was shown to be £3 billion in 2010, which is more than the £2.85 billion that it has been for the last two years.

As a percentage of the UK's gross domestic product, this was 0.2 per cent.

With regards to the cost of direct fire losses, it transpired this figure stood at £1.75 billion in 2010, unchanged from 2009 and lower than 2008's £1.95 billion.

The report stressed the importance of building better fire protection and improving consumer education to lower the costs accrued from fire. It also called upon governments across the globe to collect and publish data that revealed how bad the effects of fire were, and to establish national fire safety plans.

But then again who takes over three years to compile a report

THREE YEAR OLD DATA

Happy St Georges Day

David Cameron is to argue that England's national day has for too long been overlooked, in a St George's Day message that is calculated to woo Ukip voters while avoiding alienating Scots.

what do you think? National Holiday, so close to Easter and Spring Bank Holiday?

How about moving it? George wouldn't mind, he's dead

Happy Easter

Easter Bonnets are a throw back to the days when the people denied themselves the pleasure of wearing finery for the duration of Lent.

we hope you have a great Easter

2014 EMEA Business Excellence Forum - Andrew Woolgar Picking up our environmental award

Friday Fact

Lee Harvey Oswald still has an overdue library book from Dallas public library.

we wonder what the overdue fee's are?

Flowing salt water over graphene generates electricity

Hydroelectricity is one of the oldest techniques for generating electrical power, with over 150 countries using it as a source for renewable energy. Hydroelectric generators only work efficiently at large scales, though—scales large enough to interrupt river flow and possibly harm local ecosystems. And getting this sort of generation down to where it can power small devices isn't realistic.

In recent years, scientists have investigated generating electrical power using nano-structures. In particular, they have looked at generating electricity when ionic fluids—a liquid with charged ions in it—are pushed through a system with a pressure gradient. However, the ability to harvest the generated electricity has been limited because it requires a pressure gradient to drive ionic fluid through a small tube. But scientists have now found that dragging small droplets of salt water on strips of graphene generates electricity without the need for pressure gradients.

In their study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, researchers from China grew a layer of graphene and placed a droplet of salt water on it. They then dragged the droplet across the graphene layer at different velocities and found that the process generated a small voltage difference.

In addition to being the first to demonstrate this effect, the scientists found a linear relationship between the velocity and the generated electricity. The faster they dragged the droplet across the graphene strip, the higher the voltage they generated. The scientists also found that the voltage increased when multiple droplets of the same size were used at once.

What’s the mechanism behind this? The scientists looked at the charge distribution on the sides of the droplet when it was sitting still on graphene, as well as when it was moving. When the droplet was static, the charge redistributed symmetrically on both sides, leaving a net potential difference of zero between them.

However, when the droplet was dragged across the graphene strip, this distribution became unbalanced. The scientists found that electrons are desorbed from the graphene at one end of the droplet and are adsorbed into the graphene at another end, which results in a large potential on one side of the droplet and generates a measurable voltage across its length.

watch this space.

First stage or recruitemt went well

Thank you to the three candidates

and thank you to Sophie, Karen S and Darren M for giving up their time.

Ultra-Fast Electrical Circuits Using Light-Generated Tunneling Currents

Assistant Professor Christian A. Nijhuis of the Department of Chemistry at the National University of Singapore’s (NUS) Faculty of Science, in collaboration with researchers from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), namely Dr Bai Ping of the Institute of High Performance Computing and Dr Michel Bosman of the Institute of Materials Research and Engineering has successfully designed and fabricated electrical circuits that can operate at hundreds of terahertz frequencies, which is tens of thousands times faster than today’s state-of-the-art microprocessors.

This novel invention uses a new physical process called ‘quantum plasmonic tunnelling’. By changing the molecules in the molecular electronic device, the frequency of the circuits can be altered in hundreds of terahertz regime. The new circuits can potentially be used to construct ultra-fast computers or single molecule detectors in the future, and open up new possibilities in nano-electronic devices. The study is funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and A*STAR and results of the research were first published in prestigious scientific journal Science on 28 March 2014.
The quest to be super-small and super-fast

Light is used as an information carrier and transmitted in optical fibre cables. Photonic elements are large but they operate at extremely high frequencies of 100 terahertz – about 10,000 times faster than the desktop computer. But current state-of-the-art nano-electronic devices operate at length scales that are much smaller, making it very difficult to combine the ultra-fast properties of photonic elements with nano-scale electronics.

Scientists have long known that light can interact with certain metals and can be captured in the form of plasmons, which are collective, ultra-fast oscillations of electrons that can be manipulated at the nano-scale. The so-called quantum plasmon modes have been theoretically predicted to occur at atomic length scales. However, current state-of-the-art fabrication techniques can only reach length scales that are about five nanometre larger, therefore quantum-plasmon effects have been difficult to investigate.

In this landmark study, the research team demonstrated that quantum-plasmonics is possible at length scales that are useful for real applications. Researchers successfully fabricated an element of a molecular electronic circuit using two plasmonic resonators, which are structures that can capture light in the form of plasmons, bridged by a layer of molecules that is exactly one molecule thick. The layer of molecules switches on the quantum plasmonic tunneling effects, enabling the circuits to operate at terahertz frequencies.




Read more at http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1113117294/scientists-in-singapore-develop-novel-ultra-fast-electrical-circuits-using-light-generated-tunneling-currents/#hTy6UKqMc5kgsVfv.99

BFC urges caution over plans to amend flammability regulations

Changes to the Furniture & Furnishing Fire Safety Regulations are in danger of increasing rather than reducing the risk to consumers, warns UK industry lobby group, the British Furniture Confederation (BFC), which urges the Department of Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) not to rush through the amendments.

The group fully supports the aim behind the proposed amendments to reduce the amount of fire retardants used in furniture, thus improving consumer safety and reducing costs. However, it says that any changes, if not properly thought out, could have a significant negative impact on the furniture industry as a result of confusion and increased costs, and in fact potentially increase the safety risk for consumers rather than reduce it.

The warning follows the news that the planned amendments are due to be put out to public consultation within the next four weeks, despite these concerns.

“We feel these amendments are being too hastily introduced, so we have been urging manufacturers and retailers who share our concerns to contact their local MPs,” says Paul von der Heyde, chairman of the BFC, which represents the furniture industry’s main trade associations.

The fear is that the tests proposed – alternative cigarette and match tests using FR-compliant CM foam – currently lack sufficient technical detail and have not been robustly trialled.

"There is simply not enough detail in the documents to assess whether the changes would have a positive impact on safety and costs,” says Paul. “The industry has, for the past two years, been working closely with BIS over proposed amendments to the current regulations, and we are disappointed at this piecemeal approach, which focuses on making this one amendment now, with other revisions addressed at a later date."               

read more @ http://www.furniturenews.net/news/articles/2014/04/947375280-bfc-urges-caution-over-plans-amend-flammability-regulations

Last Chance - job going for an Experienced electrican

Last Chance

review and selection for interview tomorrow morning

Are you available and interested in the position of electrician at Woolgar Electrical

As part of our selection process, we  would like you to call 020 7060 9766 and leave a message with your Name, Number and why you think you have the Attitude, Skills and Attributes required to be an Electrician in a company looking for great people.

If you are interested you need to leave  a message tonight as we will be reviewing the VM's left AM on Tuesdays 15th and inviting for interview for the following evening.

We will be asking a select few of you to come forward to a group interview on Wednesday 16th April at 18.00. This will give you a chance to come and see us and us to get to know you.

Good luck!

find out more at - http://wwwhttp://www​.woolgarel​ectrical.c​o.uk/about​/job-oppor​tunities/​

Rogue landlord fined £10,000

A landlord has been fined in excess of £10,000 by Ealing Magistrates Court for allowing his tenants to live in a house that was unsuitable and overcrowded.

The house of multiple occupancy ( HMO ) in Southall, which was owned by Amarjit Singh, was deemed to be unclean when it was inspected by officers from Ealing Council, according to 24Dash.
It transpired the property had damaged fire doors, while there was no working smoke alarm present on the premises.

An order was served to Mr Singh in June 2012, when the officers noted the property had been divided into six rented rooms and was in a state unsuitable to be let.

When they returned two months later, it turned out the landlord had not only failed to adhere to the orders, but also had rented out a further two rooms to tenants. This meant the property was then overcrowded.

Officers noted broken windows in the tenants' rooms on this second visit, as well as the aforementioned fire safety issues.

Mould was present on the ceiling and on the walls of the kitchen, while mice and cockroaches were found in the property. In addition, the bathrooms were deemed to be filthy.

Mr Singh was made to pay a total of £10,220, having been convicted of 11 offences. He was commanded to pay £6,750 in fines, £3,350 in costs and a £120 victim surcharge fee.

from http://www.fia.uk.com/en/information/details/index.cfm/rogue-landlord-fined--10-000

Glad to see Pete made the Mid Bed Bulletin

we were very happy to see that Pete made the local Bulletin Magazine April 2104 edition

Should I go to the London Marathon tomorrow??? (Off topic)

Race will begin in Greenwich Park at 9.45 AM and head east towards Woolwich.

The runners will then turn near Woolwich High Street at 10.15 AM and head back towards Greenwich again, passing by the Cutty Sark at around 10.45. They will then follow the bend of the river north, past Rotherhithe, and cross the Thames at Tower Bridge. The runners will have covered 12-miles by this point, and it will probably be around 11.40 AM.
The runners will then head east again towards Canary Wharf, running around the entire loop of the Isle of Dogs, and passing One Canada Square at around 12:30 PM. They will then double back through Limehouse and towards The City.

The 23-mile point will be reached at the Tower of London at around 13.10 PM, and they will pass the 24-mile mark at Temple ten minutes later. A run along the Victoria Embankment will take them down to Westminster Bridge at approx 13.30 PM. They will then scout the southside of St. James's Park and finish outside Buckingham Palace at 13.45 PM.


probably one of the best and most fun events I have ever been to and 1000's of committed people

simply brilliant

Friday Fact

The most effective time to drink coffee is between 09:30 and 11:30.

put the kettle on!!!

Greenpeace dont like Amazon's 'dirty cloud'

Greenpeace have singled out Amazon as having the "dirtiest cloud" services.

just what does that mean???

Apple, Facebook and Google were praised for "significant improvements" in energy transparency and attempts to move to 100% renewable energy.

Amazon Web Services (AWS) on the other hand, which powers many net firms, only uses 15% clean energy, according to the report.

The green activist group warned that more needed to be done to make the internet greener, particularly in countries experiencing huge net growth such as China.

The electricity demand of internet and cloud services has grown exponentially, according to the report, Clicking Clean: How Companies are Creating the Green Internet.

And it is expected to increase by 60% or more by 2020 as reliance on the internet increases.

Come on Amazon, it time to invest in some PV or Wind generation...

The US Gov also has a very dirty Data centre in Utah..... it cost millions in energy to run it...

Amazon launches TV streaming and gaming device (US first!)

Amazon has launched an internet-connected TV set-top box as it vies with Apple and Google to gain a share of the lucrative television market.

Amazon Fire TV, the device is a small black box similar to Apple TV. It will cost $99 (£59) and is available immediately in the US.

It will allow consumers to stream content from Amazon's library, as well other video-on-demand services, directly to their TVs.

The device can also be used for gaming.

Fire TV, Amazon's Android based streaming gadget allows you to access content online.
With its matt black finish, the slim design is reminiscent of Apple TV and is supposedly three times more powerful.

The remote control has a microphone built in so that you can do voice searches.

Amazon's set top box may not be revolutionary but it does give customers an alternative to Apple TV, Roku and Google's Chromecast.

The firm has formed partnerships with gaming firms such as Sega, EA, Disney and promises thousands of Android titles will be available next month. It is also expanding Amazon Games Studios to build bespoke games.

Users can buy a games controller, dubbed Voila, which looks very similar to an Xbox controller.
The move puts Amazon in direct competition with Apple TV and Google's Chromecast as all try to find a way into the living room.

The box comes with a Bluetooth-enabled remote, which means it does not have to be pointed at the TV to work.

Home MOT

You check your car once a year, but when was the last time your checked your house?

You are in your car for an hour or two a day, how much time do you spend in your house?

Home MOT
All electrical installations deteriorate with age and use. They should therefore be inspected and tested at regular intervals to check whether they are in a satisfactory condition for continued use.

 Such safety checks are commonly referred to as 'periodic inspection and testing'. Once completed you will be issued with an Electrical Condition Report (EICR).

A periodic inspection will:
•Reveal if any of your electrical circuits or equipment are overloaded.
•Find any potential electric shock risks and fire hazards.
•Identify any defective electrical work.
•Highlight any lack of earthing or bonding.
Tests are also carried out on wiring and fixed electrical equipment to check that they are safe. A schedule of circuits is also provided, which is invaluable for a property.

How often is a periodic inspection required?
Your electrics should be inspected and tested every:
•10 years for an owner-occupied home.
•5 years for a rented home.

Other times when a periodic inspection should be carried out are:
•When a property is being prepared for letting.
•Before selling a property or buying a previously-occupied property.
Who should carry out the periodic inspection and what happens?
Periodic inspection and testing should be carried out only by electrically competent persons, such as registered electricians. They will check the condition of the electrics against the UK standard for the safety of electrical installations, BS 7671 – Requirements for Electrical Installations (IEE Wiring Regulations).

The inspection takes into account all the relevant circumstances and checks on:
•The adequacy of earthing and bonding.
•The suitability of the switchgear and controlgear. For example, an old fusebox with a wooden back, cast-iron switches, or a mixture of both will need replacing.
•The serviceability of switches, sockets and lighting fittings. Items that  may need replacing include: older round-pin sockets, round light switches, cables with fabric coating hanging from ceiling roses to light fittings, black switches and sockets mounted in skirting boards.
•The type of wiring system and its condition. For example, cables coated in black rubber were phased out in the 1960s. Likewise cables coated in lead or fabric are even older and may well need replacing (modern cables use longer-lasting pvc insulation).
•Sockets that may be used to supply portable electrical equipment for use outdoors, making sure they are protected by a suitable residual current device (RCD).
•The presence of adequate identification and notices.
•The extent of any wear and tear, damage or other deterioration.
•Any changes in the use of the premises that have led to, or may lead to, unsafe conditions.
The competent person will then issue an Electrical Installation Condition Report detailing any observed damage, deterioration, defects, dangerous conditions and any non-compliances with the present-day safety standard that might give rise to danger.
If anything dangerous or potentially dangerous is found, the overall condition of the electrical installation will be declared to be 'unsatisfactory', meaning that remedial action is required without delay to remove the risks to those in the premises.

XP users face end of support

Support for the venerable Windows XP operating system ends Today.

It means that there will be no more official security updates and bug fixes for the operating system from Microsoft.

Some governments have negotiated extended support contracts for the OS in a bid to keep users protected.

Security firms said anyone else using the 13-year-old software would be at increased risk of infection and compromise by cyber-thieves.

Statistics suggest 20-25% of all users have stuck with XP despite the fact that there have been three major releases of Windows since its debut in 2001.

Landlords - keeping your tennants safe and you out of court

As a owner of a Rental Property are you exposing yourself to significant financial risks, from fines and invalidated insurance, through not acting on their electrical safety obligations.

Are your private tenants at risk of serious accident or fire.

do you know your obligations for electrical safety in rental properties?

Your responsibilities as a landlord
Landlords are required by law to ensure:
•That the electrical installation in a rented property is safe when tenants move in and maintained in a safe condition throughout its duration.
•That a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO) has a periodic inspection carried out on the property every five years.
 If your property is not an HMO, you are not legally obliged to do this. However, we recommend that a periodic inspection and test is carried out by a registered electrician on your rental properties at least every five years.
•That any appliance provided is safe and has at least the CE marking (which is the manufacturer’s claim that it meets all the requirements of European law).
To meet these requirements a landlord will need to regularly carry out basic safety checks to ensure that the electrical installation and appliances are safe and working.

We recommend
•Making sure that your property has adequate RCD protection
•Using a local registered electrician for any work on your property
•Carrying out regular safety checks on the electrical appliances provided as part of the rental agreement
•Downloading the ESC's 'Home Electrical Safety Check' smartphone app

Need a safety review?

Energy Saving Tips

Its Sunday, a lazy morning with the newspaper, walk the dog, take the kids up the park. you are not using much electricity and there aren't many ways you can save electricity... are there?

Consider out top tips. some of them wont cost you a penny and you can do them before you turn on the oven for your Sunday Roast.

Energy Saving Top Tips

Energy-Saving Light Bulbs – A bright idea
They last up to 10 times longer than traditional bulbs, and use around 80% less energy. An energy-saving light bulb produces the same amount of light at 13-18w as the more traditional 60w bulb. This reduces energy costs and saves you up to £60 over the lifetime of the light bulb.

Stand-by – Switching off is being switched on
You can reduce your electricity bill and avoid emitting CO2, simply by not leaving your electrical products on stand-by. Switch them off and unplug them when not in use.

Washing Machines – Be cool
90% of the energy a washing machine uses goes towards heating the water. A 30°C wash could save over a third of the energy you use when compared to washing at higher temperatures.

Tumble Dryers – Fully loaded
When using your dryer, ensure that it is full, but don’t overload. Tumble dryers consume more energy than most washing machines. In fact, it’s much cheaper and better for the environment to use a washing line or a clothes horse if you can. If you do need to use a tumble dryer, make sure you use a fast spin on your washing, as this removes more of the water.

Dishwashers – The fuller the better
Only use your dishwasher when you have a full load as a half load uses the same amount of energy. If possible, stop the dishwasher’s cycle when it gets to the drying stage, open it up, and let the load dry naturally.

Kettles – A cup is better than a kettle-full
Only put in the amount of water you need, as over-filling each time wastes energy and money.

Buying a new fridge/freezer?
Look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo. These more efficient appliances could save you as much as £37 a year.

As energy prices continue to rise, our simple tips will help you to keep the bills down.

  

New PV streetlight

We have been doing our own R&D. This is a prototype streetlight that does NOT require an electrical supply. the next version is going to be smaller and even more powerful.

It has some very clever features and had been designed with the batteries to last a decade and a proximity detector to let the light go down to half brightness if no one is in the area.

We will be installing three as a test for a local housing association.

We expect to be installing them before the end of the month.

Interested?

Around the home

This is quite a good Web site.

http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guides-and-advice/around-the-home/

Electricity is part of our lives. We use it from the moment we wake up and throughout the day.

As a result, we sometimes forget how powerful and dangerous it can be.

How Safe is your Home?

Home MOT???

Friday fact

A man once sued his doctor because he survived his cancer longer than the doctor predicted.

About blooming time - a Reversible USB cable

No more fumbling in the dark...

A new design for USB - a standardised connection for data transfers between electronic devices - has been shown off for the first time.

The new connector will be reversible, bringing an end to the everyday irritant of trying to force a USB cable in the wrong way.

The images were first published by technology news site The Verge.

The USB Implementers Forum anticipates the new designs will be finalised in July.

But rollout of new ports will take some time as manufacturers gradually incorporate them into their products.

New USB socket The smaller port resembles Apple's Lightning port

The new Type-C standard will be similar in size to the current MicroUSB connector, typically used for charging mobile phones and cameras.

Electrcial safety First

Little Britain comedian David Walliams has been working with UK charity Electrical Safety First to attempt a revival of the much-loved Charley Says film series from the 1970s and 80s.

We think that in typical Walliams style, it is supposed to be a parody and is a vehicle just to get people talking about electrical safety which can only be a good thing

your thoughts?

Fire expert calls for register as PRS landlords 'ignore basic safety needs'

Britain’s top independent fire safety expert has called for the creation of a private sector landlords’ register to help protect millions of tenants across the UK.

Safety Management UK, which provides fire and carbon monoxide assessments for local authorities and housing associations across the country, has warned that tens of thousands of tenants – many of them families - are at risk from carbon monoxide poisoning and fire because PRS landlords are ignoring basic safety needs.

The company believes the creation of a national register would help local authorities and charities identify good and sub-standard housing and allow for the positive enforcement of basic standards.

SMUK is also backing the housing charity Shelter’s campaign to raise the living conditions of people stuck in poor-quality accommodation, and who are scared to speak out because they fear being evicted.

In Scotland alone, one in 20 private renters claims to have suffered CO poisoning in their home over the last five years, according to recent research by Shelter Scotland and Scottish Gas.

from - http://www.24dash.com/news/

No! in answer to your question...

An Indentured Apprentice DOES NOT mean they have false teeth

A poor silly fad? (Anag)

And were done, that's midday, no more pranks. we hope you enjoyed them!

Lightbulb joke

if you see something like this...

you probably need to call us...

How to survive a zombie outbreak

In the early stages of a zombie outbreak, you're going to be doing a lot of fleeing. this is where you find if your days at the Gym were worthwhile..

The key to a successful escape is to know where you're going. There's nothing worse than fleeing a zombie horde only to run into a blind alley or a room with only one exit.

Familiarise yourself with local roads, don't rely on Google Maps as in all likelihood the networks will go down

get to know the location of all fire exits in any building you visit regularly. If you're away from home when the crisis hits, a local map should be your first acquisition.

happy hunting, don't forget your cricket bat...

Overloading sockets

Are you overloading your socket?

Most of us have extension leads in their homes, most of us don't have enough sockets  and are using 4-way bar adaptors to increase the number of appliances that they can plug into a wall socket.

However, although there is space to plug in four appliances, this does not mean it is always safe to do so.
You can avoid overloading sockets and risk of fire by following this simple advice:
•Check the current rating of the extension lead before plugging appliances into it. Most are rated at 13 A, but some are rated at only 10 A or less - the rating should be clearly marked on the back or underside of the extension lead. If not, refer to the manufacturer’s instructions
•Never overload an extension lead by plugging in appliances that together will exceed the maximum current rating stated for the extension lead. This could cause the plug in the wall socket to overheat and possibly cause a
•fire. Use our overload calculator <insert link> to check if you’re exceeding the maximum load
•For an indication only of the current ratings of commonly-used domestic appliances - check out our information about Amps and Watts
•Only use one socket extension lead per socket and never plug an extension lead into another extension lead
•Use a multi-way bar extension lead rather than a block adaptor, as this will put less strain on the wall socket. Some block adaptors do not have a fuse, which increases the risk of overloading and fire
•Consider having additional sockets installed if you regularly rely on extension leads and adaptors - and use a registered electrician to carry out the installation work

•Check regularly for the following danger signs:
 - a smell of hot plastic or burning near an appliance or socket
 - sparks or smoke coming from a plug or appliance
 - blackness or scorch marks around a socket or plug, or on an appliance
 - damaged or frayed leads
 - coloured wire inside leads showing at the plug or anywhere else
 - melted plastic on appliance casings or leads
 - fuses that blow or circuit-breakers that operate for no obvious reason

need help?

What is your superhero name?

From the Amazing Tornado

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