"Powering up" - Issue 10
"Welcome to Issue 10 of "Powering up", your weekly source of industry insights and updates!
In every issue, we will bring you weekly insights from an Engineer and Five Great Posts across LinkedIn !!
Each week we will put 15 specific questions to an Engineer. The questions will cover who they are and how they feel about the Electrical industry.
Let's dive in and explore the exciting developments, insights and what's happening in our ever-evolving industry!"
"Weekly Insights From an Engineer" - Peter Lee Williams
We are delighted to welcome Peter Lee Williams to this weeks edition of powering up!!
About Peter
I live in Bangor North Wales and can see the beautiful Snowdon range from my home. This immediately leads me to my interests which are mountain walking, fitness training, programming and Amateur radio
Career wise I was fortunate enough to enter the electrotechnical sector at an early age encouraged by family members. So before leaving school I was involved in electronics and electrical installation.
I subsequently served a technician apprenticeship, achieving professional registration by review of works, later taking post as a lecturer and various management roles. Since 2008 I worked as an NICEIC Area Engineer but recently went back into education to set up renewable technology courses at CIST.
1. What sparked your interest in the electrical industry, and what led you to pursue a career in this field?
For me early inspiration came from Family members in the electronics, electrical and mechanical sector. Enthusiasm is infectious and their passion sparked my interest. I recall a family member buying me an electronics kit when I was 10 and my grandfather helped me assemble a tuned radio frequency receiver, just listening to this simple AM radio as a proof of function inspired questions, curiosity and ultimately further exertions!
I was also really lucky because both my uncles were employed in the electrotechnical sector so I helped with rewires, call outs and electronic assembly before leaving secondary school. Then there were the teachers both at school and later in college. I was very lucky to encounter all of these amazing individuals and I think the message for us is that if we are all enthusiastic about our subject and take a little time to encourage others, we can really develop our industry ?
2. Can you share some of the most fascinating projects you've worked on as an electrical specialist? What made them stand out?
OK. The temptation here is to mix fascination (interest) with success (large capital projects exemplified by the industry glossy’s). So sticking with the question, my most recent projects of interest include Electrical Energy Storage Systems, Photovoltaics and energy management analysis. ?Over the last 9 months I’ve conducted research, built systems and developed training in these subject areas.
What I find fascinating is that electricians are always constrained by inherited features of installations for retrofit, but technology can offer solutions in most cases. For example, a typical UK dwelling may support 4kW of on roof PV but the right battery system can make this (appear) much bigger. There is no more roof but the technology has created additional “virtual roof”.
So I’ve built a number of these systems with instrumentation. I’ve also recently built a small solar tracking system. As a technology these have been criticised for poor storm resilience, maintenance issues and the fact that they consume energy to track the suns motion.? My findings are that these issues are minimal with correct design.
3. Over the course of your career, what technological advancements in the electrical sector have impressed you the most, and how have they changed the way you approach your work?
The technological advancements that have impressed me the most are those that have a direct commercial impact either by creating new market opportunities or by reduced administration.
At this point I have to fly the flag of a previous employer and highlight NICEIC cloud certification as having a significant impact on the reduced admin time of qualified supervisors. This software enables certification to be clearly presented, includes cloud storage, offers partial automatic fill of reports, flags incorrect or non-compliant values and directly links to building control notification. ?Ideally the use of this technology does require a change in working practices to yield the full benefit, in particular if the certification is completed on site unassigned admin time through later write up is minimised.
4. How do you stay up-to-date with the latest developments and trends in the electrical industry? Are there any resources or forums you find particularly valuable?
The electrotechnical sector covers a wide spectrum and is fast moving and CPD is now a requirement. ?My favourite resources are briefly categorised as follows:
For CPD: I use The NICEIC “the Wire”. These are topical and relevant on-line training presentations.
The Wire is excellent in terms of relevance, technical content and presentation. A certificate of attendance is also provided as a record of CPD. For live viewing this is open to non-NICEIC companies and individuals.
For general electrotechnical reading: I use professional electrician (for which CPD can be claimed via their app). Professional electrician includes articles from a range of scheme providers, manufacturers and contractors.?
5. What are some of the most common misconceptions or myths about electrical systems that you often encounter, and how do you address them?
As a former lecturer I would comment that misconceptions are a great “tell” about an individuals understanding or experience. When we are learning we often use mental models to represent a more complex system from which we derive a working knowledge. The problem is that when we take these models into different situations their validity fails and a knowledge gap is exposed. This is not all bad news and this can be a way of raising a learning opportunity if we acknowledge that the gap exists.
For me this is most evident when individuals operate in new situations outside of their comfort zone. Some diverse examples include measuring potential on an exposed conductive part. This test may be applied as part of a process to determine the nature of the part and perhaps inform bonding requirements. Using a modern high input impedance voltmeter, the instrument may suggest a standing voltage but there is no power behind the measured potential.
Other areas of misconception include correctly achieving a TT earthing arrangement, understanding characteristic impedance, maximum power transfer, cable sizing and a big one is always… the correct interpretation of standards.
6. Throughout your journey in the electrical field, have you encountered any particularly challenging situations or complex problems that required innovative solutions? How did you overcome them?
From my previous employment role challenging or complex situations either resulted in contact during the design or build phase or a complaint on completion. In both cases reference to the appropriate standards usually directs us to a solution. Most contractors know the answer to a technical problem but approaching a more experienced engineer, an Area Engineer or mentor can act as a sounding board just to confirm that their solution is workable.
One example that comes to mind was that a large new frozen food store was to be built but the local DNO would only provide a TT (supply only) service. BS7671 Regulation 411.5 2 correctly encourages RCD protection but in this situation RCD operation may lead to spoilt food product. I initially proposed phase failure detection with GSM alert but they understandably wanted a passive system. On evaluation it was established that the superstructure would be steel framed with very low indicative Zs values actually allowing the overcurrent device to be used for fault protection! So, the regulation offered a solution which was then implemented.
Another example included the repurposing of a large commercial site which included the adoption of much of the existing fire detection, control and indicating systems. This required a back to the drawing board approach starting with fire risk assessment again using the standards as a roadmap to create a workable solution. ???
7. As an electrical specialist, what advice would you give to someone just starting their career in this industry?
The main piece of advice I would offer is to know exactly what qualifications and experience actually define an individual as a recognised electrician or engineer. ?
Many embark on a career in electrical installation or electrical engineering and are then pressed by life circumstances to work without actively seeking the correct end qualification. At the time it seems like a good idea to obtain short term financial incentives… but the goal of an NVQ3 is really critical in electrical contracting. Similarly in heavy industry or maintenance a HNC or (the correct) degree may be an important requirement.
Setting out these frameworks of recognition and associated end goals is the best opening advice to anyone embarking on a career in our industry.
As a closing point, I would also add that working in an electrical engineering career is something really special. We are amongst the most talented and creative industries - I would say enjoy what you do. If you are in maintenance, you are keeping the wheels going, if you are in installer or designer take time to reflect and enjoy what you have built. Stop take a look at what you have made before moving on.
8. Can you share a memorable experience where your expertise in electrical matters had a significant impact on someone's life or a project outcome?
In common with other former lecturers, I am frequently reminded of the favourable impact (we) have had on people’s lives - it goes with the job.
The best experience is when you meet a former trainee who is now running their own enterprise or reached a position of great success and to feel that you have contributed to that outcome in some way.
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For example, when inspecting an industrial site last year, I ran into a former HNC student who managed an automation cell. He directly applied his HNC training in this job role with fantastic results! What I took from that interaction was the amazing success of our further education system.?
9. In your opinion, what are the most exciting emerging technologies or trends in the electrical domain, and how do you see them shaping the future?
There are a lot of relevant emerging technologies, however I’m going to select a renewable technology that has had very mixed reviews…
I’ve already touched on Solar Photovoltaics and Battery storage. So perhaps - Heat Pumps, this is a multidisciplinary technology with some challenges but if the correct conditions are achieved works really well. The challenge is similar to PV in that the system is subject to inherited characteristics. But if the installation is well insulated, correctly sized and the user knows how to manage heat generation - they actually work really efficiently. One final point is that we need an industry that knows how to repair and maintain these systems.?? ????
A technology with a potential 300% coefficient of return cannot be ignored we just have to satisfy the conditions that allow confident public adoption as noted in the previous paragraph.
10. How does the role of an electrical specialist intertwine with environmental sustainability? How do you contribute to eco-friendly practices in your work?
OK on sustainability I think that we have to take a step back and consider the proportion of C02 generation made by our industry and by the UK as a whole.
The UK contribution to global C02 production is less than 1%. Energy saving measures by the UK alone would have minimal impact, however the UK is seen as a technological leader ability to demonstrate a workable roadmap for others. Within the mix the electrotechnical sector has a prominent position in the adoption of emergent technologies - they all have an electrical aspect to their operation
11. Have you had any international experiences or collaborations in the electrical field? How did cultural differences impact your work, and what did you learn from these experiences?
I have worked with both North American and European engineers and their approaches are well different to the UK methods.
The US tends to employ class 1 type installations, often preferring metal conduit with overcurrent devices employed for fault interruption, cost reduction through design is not a major consideration. The EU typically employ double insulated type systems with extensive RCD protection. We sit in the middle, I have to comment that our approaches are the best LOL.
12. Are there any specific challenges or opportunities that you believe lie ahead for the electrical industry as a whole?
I see a huge number of opportunities for our industry Rick, our sector is pivotal in renewables as they all incorporate an electrical aspect to operation …
However, the challenges are that we may not have enough sufficiently qualified individuals in the NEW ways of working… Let face it we don’t have enough qualified electricians in the OLD ways of working so the challenge is very real.
How many of the readers hold the Photovoltaic or Electrical Energy Storage System (Battery) qualifications? Now is the time to pick up these awards.
Take Hydrogen which is likely to play a significant part of the future energy mix. Hydrogen is an explosive gas which requires particular installation approaches normally demonstrated by holding the CompEx EX01-04 or at least the hydrogen specific CPD provided by CompEx.
How many readers hold this training? There is the challenge.
13. Can you share an amusing or quirky anecdote from your time working in the electrical industry?
Great question Rick, I can think of numerous examples, here is one many electricians can relate to;
We used to have an old metal oxide rectifier for DC machine operation, with a small 18 watt pigmy lamp in place for indication. The rectifier was in one building the DC starter, controls, indicator and DC motor in another.
Great idea except that someone thought it would be clever to screw a 1 penny piece into the pigmy lamp holder creating a direct short. It was just sat there waiting for me to fire up the metal oxide rectifier when trying to bring the DC machine on line… sure enough the overcurrent protection operated and I narrowed the fault down to the pigmy in the adjacent building, but not before they removed the penny. Promptly reinserting so that I ended up chasing my tail!
Worked it out I the end after blowing a few 1361s. The lesson learned is that there are factors beyond the physical installation that can have a bearing when locating faults!
14. As technology continues to evolve rapidly, how do you ensure that you remain adaptable and prepared for potential disruptions in the electrical sector?
I think that I may have answered this in an earlier question but its an important area and I appreciate the opportunity to develop this. We are in an industry that is highly technical and ever changing. We need to meet the basics, for electricians an NVQ 3 and an 18th edition qualification is required as a minimum (a view is that you are not an electrician without those awards), to become JIB Approved you will need a testing qualification such as C&G2391, EAL 603/2625/6 or equivalent. To become future proof in the short term I suggest that you will need Photovoltaic and Electrical Energy Storage Systems awards.
15. In your perspective, how crucial is interdisciplinary collaboration in advancing the electrical industry, and can you provide examples of successful collaborations you've been a part of?
Great question Rick. I think that multidisciplinary capabilities or collaborate working are essentials for engineers i.e. working with others or developing your own broad capabilities.
I can think of two personal examples: (1) A waste water treatment plant needed to be installed at one site, the challenge being that access prevented the standard off the shelf product being craned into place. My solution was to undertake the assembly normally undertaken by the manufacturer but in situ. The manufacturer was amazed to hear that I wanted the plant on pallets unassembled. This was diverted from the motorway and assembled in a hole in the ground. (2) internal demolishing at a site required the structural elements to be re-directed, I created a kind of bridge within the structure with a span in excess of 5 metres because the original bearings no longer existed. My first degree is in mechanical engineering so I applied first principles looking at the two areas of stress and deflection, but then backed this up with a solid works model in which forces on the various elements could be demonstrated.
Thank you Peter
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Five Great Posts across LinkedIn within the Industry
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1 年interesting
Director of Member Services & Head of Building Electrical Systems at BEAMA
1 年Thursday already! I look forward to reading this later