all you need to know about the Hager Invicta 3 Type B Distribution Boards

can be found via our website and our blog – recently we started a series of articles about this series, the Hager Invicta 3 Type B, Distribution Boards (industrial consumer units), where we describe them and list their features as specified by the manufacturer, Hager. Here’s what you can find out about them until now:

The Hager Type B Distribution Boards – the Invicta 3 range – meets the 17th Edition needs

This article is introducing the new Hager Type B Distribution Boards – meeting the needs of the 17th Edition – part of the Industrial Distribution Boards; the Invicta 3 range: decisions, features (like: The Ease of metering, The Simple cable entry, The Neutral bars, The Earth terminal cabling, The Simple extensions, The Tap off board extension, and The Clear Labeling), and benefits.

This new range of Type B boards from Hager makes it easier for you to design and install electrical distribution systems that meet the needs of today and the future. Read more…

At least 4 reasons for choosing the Invicta 3 Type B Distribution Boards from Hager

Why should one specify the Hager Invicta 3 Type B boards? Read more in this article about some of the benefits brought by the Invicta 3 range, and then at least 4 reasons for which the Hager Invicta 3 Distribution Boards should be used where the need is(The Trunking Cable Entry, The Earth and Neutral Bars, The Metering, and The Glazed Door). Read more…

The new features and design of the Invicta 3 range of Type B Distribution Boards from Hager

The Invicta 3 range of Type B boards from Hager has been manufactured and designed to meet with the new IEE Wiring Regulations. Have a sneak preview in this article – see all of the new features that Hager has designed in and how this is going to make installing a distribution board so much easier(this guide is also online via Hager).

If you want to read more about these guides, you can find them online via Hager – Invicta 3 Distribution Boards Hager. On the other hand, if you want to purchase this range of Type B Distribution Boards(the Hager Invicta 3), visit our website – Industrial Consumer Units.

Energy Saving solutions – use Time Lag Switches for reducing the energy consumption

There is a quick and effective way to reduce the energy consumption for the lighting applications – use time lag switches(time delay switches)! The way these wiring accessories work is – by pressing the button/the pad, the lights turns on and, after a set interval of time, the light turns off! The range of time lag switches found at sparksdirect.co.uk do not require a neutral connection – they can simply replace the existing light switch; also, in most cases they represent a simpler/cheaper/more effective solution for lighting control.

Where can you use a time lag switch? The Time Delay Switches are ideal for the lighting applications on the stairwells(staircases), in the meeting rooms, on the corridors, in the entrance lobbies, the store cupboards, at the toilets, etc. They are fully suitable for new or retro-fit applications.

General Key Features and Benefits of the Time Lag Switches

• The time lag switches do not require a neutral connection(easy replacement of the existing light switches).
• The time lag switches are multi-way – all models can be act as 1 way, 2 way or intermediate switches.
• High rating – they switch flourescent and incandescent loads(see their particular specs).
• Tamperproof switches: the lights turn off even if the button is wedged down.
• Optional: weatherproof – for placing outdoors, outdoor lighting control.
• The Time interval – up to 20minutes, ensuring user safety(can be manually adjusted).
• Unless otherwise specified, these time delay switches take 10A of lighting including incandescent, fluorescent, compact fluorescent, low voltage (switch primary of transformer).

Some more specific models of such Electronic Time Delay Switches

The Push Button Electronic Time Lag Switches, the Ellipse range

• Push button activated, with a large ellipse button;
• Interval: 10sec – 20mins; can be used in 1/2ways and intermediate;
• Load rating at 230VAC – both at Incandescent, Fluorescent and Compact flourescent – 10A;
• Buy this Ellipse Time Lag Switch online.

The Push Button Electronic Time Lag Switches, the KH1 range

• The duration is set by the thumbwheel on the reverse of the unit, 20sec – 20mins, 10A;
• Comes with extra terminals to allow slave switches to be connected to the system to trigger the timer. The KH1N version has an illuminated push button to allow the unit to be located in the dark.
• Buy online this Round Button Time Delay Switch.

The Touch Activated Electronic Time Lag Switches, the KH2 range

• Available also in Weatherproof versions(KH3);10secs – 20mins;
• can be used as intermediate and 1/2 ways; activated by touching the pad;
• this is a time delay switch touch activated, with the option of having a neon;
• Buy this touch activated time lag switch online.

The MK Time Lag Switch with Rocker Switch

• Loads taken: 60W – 400W;
• Adjustable time delay 2-15minutes;
• Not suitable with fluorescent lamps, 2D or energy saving lamps/low voltage systems;
• Purchase online this MK made Time Lag Switch.

The best tweets from SparksDirect – electrical wholesaler in London

By now everyone knows, including mr. Google, that sparksdirect is also on twitter, where we post daily rich tweets about the items on our website. Until we find our customers online(which customers, everyone knows, are not too much online) and until our customers find us, we will continue to introduce the many ranges in our online store – www.sparksdirect.co.uk – via our twitter account!

SparksDirect Best Tweets

• The X-Flex solution 4 the entire house: Take a look at how your house would look like with the X-flex concealed lights – read more…
• Wardrobe light with integrated motion sensor, fluorescent wardrobe lights for domestic use – pictures and available models – read more…
• article introducing the Fire Rated Lights & Downlights; the technology used by the fire-rated lights for indoors/outdoors – read more…
• radioLINK wireless Communication, used with Aico 160RC and 140 series(introducing the radioLink technology from Aico) – read more…
• Modular and grid systems – the #MK grids and modules, the #GET grids&modules, or other Euro Plates and #Modules – read more…
• check out the GET Flat Plate range of wiring devices, especially switches, sockets, spurs, co-axial sockets, data sockets – read more….
• The Aico contractor range, the Aico 140 Series – Mains powered fire alarms(for new built and owner occupied properties) – read more…
• Read more about the building regs and the ceiling fire ratings for the United Kingdom, via the #Building #Regulations – read more…
• It’s different than any other fan, it’s something you never saw before: Looks better, it’s quieter, and easier to install! – read more…
• Electrical floor heating from Devi – the DeviMat solutions, under-floor heating mats for all-year-round housewarming – read more…

If you have any questions/requests about any of the items on our website, simply write to us a message on twitter, @sparksdirect, and we will do our best to answer. This is one of the most easiest ways in the development of the technology today. See you all on twitter

and…. switches-and-sockets is back in action!

It has been offline for a while, but now it is back online – switches-and-sockets, online store with switches, sockets, and dimmers, categorized/filtered by different makes/properties, like:

• Switches and sockets in white plastic finish;
• Switches and sockets in metal plate finish:
  - metal flat plate switches & sockets;
  - raised plate switches & sockets;
  - stepped plate switches and sockets;
• Modular and grid systems of switches and sockets:
  - MK Grids & Modules;
  - GET Grids & Modules;
  - Euro Plates and Modules;
• Outdoor IP rated switches and sockets;
• Industrial switches and sockets and metal clads:
  - Industrial switches and sockets;
  - Metal Clad
  - MK Metal Clad Switches & Sockets
• Switches and sockets BackBoxes

If you are looking for any wiring device by a certain make/manufacturer, you have some permanent filters:

• BG switches, sockets and dimmers;
• Forbes and Lomax switches, sockets and dimmers;
• GET switches, sockets and dimmers;
• MK switches, sockets and dimmers;
• Heritage Brass switches, sockets and dimmers;

and, if you would like to see all the wiring devices(switches, sockets, dimmers, spur, fused connection units, cooker switches, TV/Satellite sockets, etc) of a certain finish, check out the

• chrome finished wiring devices;
• aluminium finished wiring devices;
• steel finished switches and sockets;
• bronze finished wiring devices;
• brass finished switches and sockets;
• white plastic switches and sockets;
• nickel finished wiring devices;
• invisible finish, switches and sockets;
• white metal wiring devices;

Therefore, we invite you to visit us also at Switches And Sockets.co.uk to shop online/browse our full offer of Wiring Devices(most of the items found on this website can also be found at the Switches and Sockets category at sparksdirect.co.uk)

Consumer units, guides and advices, Hager Consumer Unit info

One of the most appreciated and also developed series of consumer units is, besides the MK Consumer Units, the Hager Domestic/Commercial Consumer Units.  Recently, we have published a series of articles that help the user or future user of domestic or commercial/industrial consumer unit to know how to choose, handle, install, or even fix the consumer unit from Hager(and not only). Here is a list of some recommended articles:

• The Hager Consumer Units inside & out – features, benefits, installation, and flush fit – Hager guide to the main features and benefits the consumer units offer, including a short and simple installation guide;
• The consumer units from Hager: easy to install, safe, fast, and less effort!
• The consumer units from Hager(2): choices, high quality, accessories, variants, and performance;
• RCD – Residual Current Device, principle of operation; RCD, RCCB, RCBO, CBR and SRCD;
• 18 Way Flexible Configurable Consumer Unit from Hager;
• Consumer Unit guide to the 17th edition Wiring Regulations – 1;
• Consumer Unit Guide to the 17th Edition – 2 – Consumer Unit arrangements;
• Wiring regulations – the 17th edition:
  - Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, BS7671, introduction to the IEE Wiring Regulations;
  - Short guide to the 17th edition of the Wiring regulations – main changes to the previous standards(2nd part);

To buy online consumer units, consult our full offer(consumer units at the best prices in the market) at:

• Consumer Units – Hager Domestic consumer unit;
• Consumer Units – MK Domestic consumer unit;
• Consumer Units – Hager Industrial consumer unit;
• Consumer Units – Ryefield Boards;
• Consumer Units – Isolators and switch fuses;
• Other MCBs.

Heritage Brass switches, sockets and dimmers: Contractor Range and Victorian Elite range

The Heritage Brass Contractor Range is an extensive collection of high quality solid cast brass plate electrical wiring accessories. Complementing the more traditional polished brass plate designs, the range features Polished Chrome, Satin Chrome and Satin Bronze finishes, together with the elegant Mayfair and Apollo Suites of Satin Brass and Satin Chrome dual finish plates.

Traditionally styled Heritage Brass Victorian Elite is a most attractive range of plain raised plate wiring accessories designed to complement the popular Elite Flat Plate ranges. Competitively priced the rang is available with White trim or Black trim and feature Elite style matching metal rockers for added luxury.

All these ranges /finishes from M-Marcus have the following applications/models available:

• 1 Gang 2 Way Switch white / black rocker
• 2 Gang 2 Way Switch white / black rocker
• 3 gang 2 Way Switch white / black rocker
• 4 gang 2 Way Switch white / black rocker
• 1 Gang Intermediate Switch white / black rocker
• Single 13A socket white / black insert
• Double 13A socket white / black insert
• Unswitched with white / black insert
• Switched with white / black insert
• Switched with neon white / black insert
• Switched with cord outlet white / black insert
• Switched with neon/cord outlet white / black insert
• 1 gang dimmer (250/400 watts)
• 2 gang dimmer (250/400 watts)
• 3 gang dimmer (250/400 watts)
• 4 gang dimmer (250/400 watts)
• 1 gang Low Voltage 250VA/400VA
• 2 gang Low Voltage 250VA/400VA
• Single Section Blank Plate
• Double Section Blank Plate
• 20A Switch with white / black rocker
• 20A Switch with Neon white / black rocker
• 50A Switch with Neon white / black rocker (twin plate)
• 45A Switch with white / black rocker (single plate)
• 45A cooker unit with 13A socket white / black insert
• 6A switch with white / black insert
• 2A/5A/15A 3 pin white / black insert
• Single 15A 127V American white / black insert
• Double 15A 127V American white / black insert
• Output voltage 110/240V white / black insert
• Single Non-Isolated white / black insert
• Single Isolated white / black insert
• Twin Non-Isolated white / black insert
• Twin Isolated white / black insert
• Satellite Socket white / black insert
• Satellite\TV Socket white / black insert
• 1 Gang Speaker Socket white / black insert
• 1 Gang Secondary/Master Line white/black insert
• 2 Gang Secondary/Master line white / black insert
• 1 Gang RJ45

All these can be found on our website, where you can also purchase them:

• Heritage Brass Contractor range;
• Elite Flat Plate range, Heritage Brass;
• Metal Plate range of switches and sockets;
• Raised Plate, Heritage Brass range;
• Elite Stepped Plate from Heritage Brass,

To find out more about the switches and sockets from Heritage Brass, consult the Contractor Range switches and sockets article, or the Victorian Elite switches and sockets article on our blog.

Short guide to the 17th edition of the Wiring Regulations

Taken from the official small guide to the 17th edition of the Wiring Regulations, this guide presents the names of the main chapters of the latest version of the Wiring Regulations, together with a list of modifications that were made to the previous versions of these regulations.

The IET (The Institution of Engineering and Technology) put out some time ago the red-cover book containing the Wiring Regulations 17th Edition, BS 7671 (The IEE Wiring Regulations), which are the national standard to which all domestic and industrial wiring must conform (you can buy it online here). The 17th edition contains substantial changes to align with European documents. The IEE Wiring Regulations are produced by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (The IET). The IEE is an imprint of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and is used for all books related to the Wiring Regulations. Continue to read about the Table of contents and a little introduction to the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations.

The BS 7671:2008 Requirements for Electrical Installations was issued on 1st January 2008 and came into effect on 1st July 2008. The installations that are designed after 30th June 2008 are to comply with BS 7671:2008. These Regulations apply to the design, erection and verification of electrical installations, also additions and alterations to existing installations. Existing installations that have been installed in accordance with earlier editions of the Regulations may not comply with this edition in every respect. This does not necessarily mean that they are unsafe for continued use or require upgrading. Continue reading about the changes to the 17th Wiring Regulations.

Hager junction box guide to the 17th edition, junction boxes

Though Hager had this guide online for a while now, we thought to present it in more detail on our blog. There are a lot of different types of Junction Boxes, but now it is being recommended to use 17th edition compliant junction boxes. For more than one hundred years the official Wiring Regulations have provided the rules which must be followed to make sure the electrical installations are safe. The introduction of the 17th Edition of the Wiring Regulations on the 1st January 2008 has major implications for all the Electrical Contractors, the Designers and the Consultants. All the installations designed starting from the 1st July 2008 must comply with this new set of wiring Regulations.  There are regulations concerning the connection of conductors relating to lighting and power final circuits. Read more about the Junction Box guide to the 17th edition(from Hager, part 1 and part 2), where you will find out

• The Building Regulations & the Electrical Equipment;
  
• The Requirements of the 17th Edition Wiring Regulations;
• More about the Downlighter Junction Box;
• The Maintenance Free Connections;
• The Traditional Junction Boxes;
• Some Conclusions about the 17th edition compliant Junction Boxes;
  
• Hager Junction boxes – Product Selection Guide;
• 17th Edition compliant Junction Boxes available – Selection Chart.

Download this 17th Edition Junction Boxes guide by Hager online here, or read part 1 and part 2 on our website. To purchase online 17th edition junction boxes, visit the Electrical Items section, Accessories, Junction Boxes.

Forbes and Lomax switches, sockets and dimmers, all finishes, all ranges

Though it may sound simple, and though we did our best to introduce separately the plate ranges of Forbes and Lomax based on the finishes they manufacture, yet it is still complicated to try to  list the whole entire range of switches, sockets and dimmers by Forbes and Lomax. So we’ll list the finishes again below, and give you the choice!

Forbes and Lomax – the Invisible Plate

• Read about the Invisible plate switches, sockets and dimmers from Forbes and Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing models available(in pictures),
• Buy online Forbes & Lomax Invisible Plate sockets, switches and sockets via SparksDirect.

Forbes & Lomax – the Nickel Silver Plate

• Read more about the Nickel Silver plate switches, sockets and dimmers from Forbes & Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing nickel silver models(formats and pictures);
• Buy online Forbes and Lo max Nickel Silver plate sockets, switches and dimmers via SparksDirect.

Forbes and Lomax – the Antique Bronze Plate

• Read more about the Antique Bronze plate switches, sockets and dimmers from Forbes and Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing antique bronze models(formats and pictures);
• Buy online Forbes & Lomax Antique Bronze plate sockets, switches and dimmers via SparksDirect.

Forbes & Lomax – the Unlacquered Brass Plate

• Read more about the Unlacquered Brass plate switches, sockets and dimmers from Forbes & Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing unlacquered brass models(formats and pictures);
• Buy online Forbes and Lomax Unlacquered Brass plate sockets, switches and dimmers via SparksDirect.

Forbes and Lomax – the Stainless Steel Plate

• Read more about the Stainless Steel plate switches, sockets and dimmers from Forbes and Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing stainless steel models(formats and pictures);
• Buy online Forbes & Lomax Stainless Steel plate sockets, switches and dimmers via SparksDirect.

Forbes & Lomax – the Painted Socket range

• Read more about the Painted Socket  from Forbes & Lomax;
• View and browse through the existing painted socket models(formats and pictures);
• Buy online Forbes and Lomax Painted Socket via SparksDirect.

For any specific model/s of the Forbes and Lomax dimmers, sockets or switches, contact us/send us a quote request.

The Unlacquered Brass, the Stainless Steel, and the Painted Socket ranges from Forbes and Lomax, switches and sockets

Forbes and Lomax is a high quality flat plate metal/plastic finish for switches, sockets, and dimmers manufacturer, based in UK. Some of the finishes and plates it produces are: The Invisible Plate, the Unlacquered Brass, the Antique Bronze, the Nickel Silver, the Stainless Steel, the Painted Socket, etc. The Unlacquered Brass range has brass plates that are designed to mellow with age if they are left unpolished. This range is particularly suitable for the period buildings (where a bright brass would look inappropriate). Alternatively, these plates can easily be polished to give a shiny look (if this be required). Read more about the unlacquered brass range formats, their features and the models(with pictures) of this finish(unlacquered brass) from Forbes and Lomax in the article about Forbes & Lomax Unlacquered Brass range of dimmers, sockets and switches.

The Forbes&Lomax Stainless Steel range of switches, sockets and dimmers has brushed stainless steel plates. At only 1.8 mm thick, the plates sit flush with the wall and suit contemporary interiors or kitchens. The wide range of socket outlets that Forbes and Lomax offers include a selection of network and audio visual sockets to suit the needs of the most high-tech installations. Also, a whole array of fused connections and cooker switches provide all you need to control and power your kitchen appliances. Read more below about the stainless steel formats available, the stainless steel features and dimensions and the available stainless steel models from Forbes&Lomax in the article about: The stainless steel range of switches, dimmers and sockets from Forbes and Lomax.

We can categorize the range of switches, sockets, and dimmers manufactured by Forbes and Lomax in:
- the plastic plate (the invisible plate and the painted socket) and
- the flat metal plate (the stainless steel plate, the antique bronze plate, the unlacquered brass, and the nickel silver plate).

The Forbes&Lomax Painted Socket Range has been invented/created in order to complement the Invisible Lightswitch. The Painted Sockets are supplied with etch-primed face plates ready to be painted in the same colour as the wall, making them as unobtrusive as possible. Read more about the painted socket features and dimensions and the painted socket existing models of the painted socket from Forbes & Lomax in the article about: Forbes and Lomax switches and sockets: the painted socket range