The Electrician Podcast - Powered by Schneider Electric

In part 5 of our mini series we delve into the residential side of the electrical business, exploring market dynamics and emerging technologies with Amy and James. They discuss the evolving balance between residential and commercial projects, noting a shift towards renewables and smart home innovations like solar energy, heat pumps, and electric vehicles.

Key topics include regulatory changes such as surge suppression devices and Arc Fault Detection. Looking ahead, they consider the potential for individual circuit monitoring and enhanced control capabilities within home electrical systems.

For more information on everything discussed in the podcast you can visit the links below:

Join us on this episode of the Electrician Podcast, powered by Schneider Electric, as we delve into the world of SPARKS and female skills in the electrical industry. Hosted by Vildan from Schneider Electric, alongside guests Zoe, Managing Director of SMG Publishing, and Amy ‘AKA’ Amy the Spark, they’ll explore the significance of competitions like Learner of the Year and Female Skills in nurturing the next generation of electricians. Learn about SMG Publishing's mission to support and inspire future talent, the impact of these competitions on confidence and participation among women, and the invaluable support provided by companies like Schneider Electric. Discover firsthand experiences from judges like Amy, the importance of networking, and the opportunities these competitions offer for aspiring electricians. We’ll also learn more about how collaboration between industry, colleges, and aspiring electricians can address the skills gap and shape the future of the electrical industry.

Links for todays episode:

In part 4 join us as we explore Schneider Electric's residential solutions, with a spotlight on the versatile Easy9 range. Our experts dive into various offerings within the Easy9 lineup, including the Compact, Compact Multi Row, and Plus boards, tailored to specific residential needs.

Explore the versatility of Easy9 boards in configuration and installation, accommodating diverse residential scenarios. Understand why Schneider Electric products are a preferred choice, with their emphasis on quality, reliability, and safety, now more competitively priced.

For more information on everything discussed in the podcast you can visit the links below:

In part 3 of this mini series, we explore the intersection of sustainability and digital innovation in electrical distribution systems. Our conversation begins with an overview of sustainability, touching on topics like material use in construction and energy efficiency in building operations. We highlight the importance of monitoring energy consumption to inform sustainable decision-making.

The discussion then shifts to the role of technology, particularly focusing on the Active Safety System. This system integrates multiple protection technologies into one device, offering insights and connectivity for enhanced monitoring and control. Real-world examples demonstrate how such technology can improve efficiency, prevent failures, and contribute to energy conservation.

Throughout the episode, we address the challenges and opportunities associated with adopting new technologies, especially in residential and commercial settings. We emphasize the importance of educating customers about the benefits of advanced systems, despite potential cost barriers.

Join us as we delve into the dynamic world of sustainability and digital innovation in electrical systems, and discover how these advancements are shaping the future of the industry.

For more information on everything discussed in the podcast you can visit the links below:

In part 2 of this mini series, we delve into the transformative impact of technology on businesses and customer relationships. We discuss the importance of understanding customer needs and preferences, emphasising the significance of tailoring offerings to meet specific requirements. Whether it's addressing immediate concerns or guiding long-term projects, businesses must align their solutions with customer expectations.

This can be achieved with tools like PowerTag, which provide detailed insights into energy usage at the circuit level. By leveraging such technologies, businesses can make informed decisions, optimise efficiency, and promote sustainability.

For more information on topics discussed in the show visit the links below:

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amythesparky

In part 1 of this 5 part mini series we delve into a wide range of topics, from Acti9 range to Electricity 4.0, exploring how everything is interconnected. We’ve got Amy, Deepak, Vildan, and James, each sharing their insights and experiences in the electrical industry.

Amy, a female electrician based in South Derbyshire, shares her journey of transitioning from being a sole trader to growing her business with her partner. She discusses the challenges and benefits of embracing digital tools for job management, highlighting the efficiency and professionalism it brings to her business.

Deepak delves into the concept of Electricity 4.0, paralleling it with the industrial revolutions and highlighting the convergence of digital and electric technologies. The discussion touches upon smart metres, demand-side response, and the evolving electrical network, emphasising the role of connectivity in enhancing efficiency and sustainability.

For more information on everything discussed in the podcast you can visit the links below:

Follow Amy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amythesparky

In today's episode Mike Page speaks with Craig Buist about his history from working in the forces, what he learned and how he's continued to skill up into electrical design as a civilian. 

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Craig Buist : https://twitter.com/CB_electrics 

In today's episode Mike Page speaks with Mark Allison,  David Pownall, and Chris Haines talking about apprenticeships and why they're essential to the industry and how a lot of talent comes through apprenticeship training. 

services apprenticeships 

Connect with our guests:

David Pownall :https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidpownall/

Chris Haines : https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-haines-0022b82/

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Mark Allison: https://www.instagram.com/apprentice121

In today's episode Mike Page speaks with Mark Allison about apprentices in the industry and his apprentice training courses Apprentice 121.

Learn more about Apprentice 121: https://apprentice121.co.uk/home

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Mark Allison: https://www.instagram.com/apprentice121

In the third and final part of our conversation between Mike Page and Tony Skilbeck they discuss top tips for terminating cables, favourite tools for the job and how to get a role in industrial cable jointing. 

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Tony Skilbeck: https://www.youtube.com/@jointechcabling9103

In part 2 of our conversation with Tony Skilbeck he shares his opinion on the design of cables on many sites he's worked on as well as the limitations of health and safety regulations. 

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Tony Skilbeck: https://www.youtube.com/@jointechcabling9103

In today's episode of The Electrician Podcast Mike Page is joined by Tony Skilbeck as they discuss the art of industrial cable jointing. In part 1 Tony talks about the earning potential of his job as well as some of the challenges and pressures the role faces.

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/@residualcurrent

Tony Skilbeck: https://www.youtube.com/@jointechcabling9103

In this episode of the Electrician Podcast we've got Mike Page discussing EV with Jordan Farley of Artisan Electrics. 

Connect with our guests:

Mike Page: https://www.youtube.com/c/residualcurrent

Jordan Farley: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUYJhbsrC1bvVWzgUq83K4A 

Today Adam Callow speaks with Ben Curry from Electrical Innovations to discuss the solar panels. This episode covers how Ben grew his business in to new verticals of electrical work as well as how to be successful in your niche and take on a new service like solar panels.

Join the Electrician Group on Facebook, connect with thousands of other sparkies and take part in live competitions on Sparky Games every month: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheElectricianGroup

Connect with our guests:

Ben Curry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-curry/

Adam Callow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcallow/

In today's episode of the Electrician Podcast we continue our conversation with Adam Callow from Expert Trades speaks and Nick Bundy of N Bundy Electrical. This time they discuss the impact YouTube has had on Nicks business and how it's helping create and close new job opportunities. 

Join the Electrician Group on Facebook, connect with thousands of other sparkies and take part in live competitions on Sparky Games every month: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheElectricianGroup

Connect with our guests:

Nick Bundy: https://www.youtube.com/c/NBundyElectrical

Adam Callow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcallow/

In today's episode of the Electrician Podcast Adam Callow from Expert Trades speaks to Nick Bundy of N Bundy Electrical about the Electrician of Tomorrow and what he thinks is important to stay relevant in the industry moving forward.

Join the Electrician Group on Facebook, connect with thousands of other sparkies and take part in live competitions on Sparky Games every month: https://www.facebook.com/groups/TheElectricianGroup

Connect with our guests:

Nick Bundy: https://www.youtube.com/c/NBundyElectrical

Adam Callow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcallow/

In in the second part of our session with David Watts we continue to discuss the importance of CPD as well as different training routes that can be taken in order to keep up with the ever evolving landscape that is the home of the future and its demands. 

Mentioned in this episode:

In today's episode of the Electrician Podcast we have David Watts AKA SparkyNinja joining Adam Callow to discuss what competency really means as well as the importance of training and why CPD is so important. 

Links to some of the topics mentioned in today's episode:

In today's episode of the Electrician Podcast we have Head of Technical Services at Certsure, Paul Collins and Ben Curry, director at Electrical Innovations joining Adam Callow to answer a listener question that was recently submitted. Today they're discussing joining the electrical industry, the required qualifications and what's needed in your local area to be sufficiently qualified. 

You can see the qualifications needed in your area by visiting https://www.electricalcareers.co.uk/joining-the-industry/training-routes/

Connect with our guests:

Paul Collins: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-collins-5294808/

Ben Curry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-curry/

Adam Callow: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcallow/

In today's episode of The Electrician Podcast we have Mike Page of @ResidualCurrent speaking with Ryan Davis of @rdaviselectrical discussing essential tools for electricians.

Check out today’s hosts below:

In this episode we look at how the proposed amendments to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations might affect your job – specifically with reference to protected escape routes

In this episode we look at how the proposed amendments to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations might affect your job – specifically with reference to prosumers

In this episode we look at how the proposed amendments to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations might affect your job – specifically in terms of SPDs

In today's episode of The Electrician Podcast we've got Mike Page of Residual Current speaking with Michael Steckler, CEO of Tradify, asking the questions you guys want to know: how job management software helps the trade, and how Tradify can support you.

In this episode we look at how the proposed amendments to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations might affect your job – specifically in terms of RCDs

In this episode we look at how the proposed amendments to the BS 7671:2018 Wiring Regulations might affect your job – specifically in terms of AFDDs

How to avoid customer disputes, and how Which? Trusted Traders can help..

In today's episode of The Electrician Podcast we've got Adam Callow from Expert Trades speaking with Phillip Thomas, Alex Manners and Poppy Hynam from Which? Trusted Traders, asking the questions you guys want to know: how to avoid customer disputes, and how Which? Trusted Traders can help.

In todays episode of the podcast we speak to 2 electricians about how becoming influencers in the electrical space has greatly benefited their businesses.

Guests:

Mike:

Electrician

YouTuber

Voltimum is THE digital media business and sales enabler for the electrical industry.

Drawing on our extensive understanding of the marketplace, we facilitate the voice of the industry and provide the leading electrical manufacturers with the opportunity to utilise the most efficient and effective global communication platform within the sector to generate awareness of their company and products.

The manufacturers that we work with are our partners and our mission is to assist them in projecting the right messages to their core target audience – our community of over 400,000 active installers, contractors and wholesalers.

Voltimum is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, with offices in Barcelona, Heidelberg, London, Milan, Stockholm, Lisbon, Bogota, Istanbul, Sydney and São Paulo. Our development team is based in Kiev, Ukraine.

Voltimum enables its partners to

• Market to key audiences via forums, newsletters, product reviews and tailored email campaigns to inform and train
• Generate awareness and promote their company through display advertising on the Voltimum country portals and on our newsletters
• Utilise Voltimum’s extensive reach to create highly effective market research to gain insight from their target audience and understand the market further
• Develop targeted promotions via our suite of solutions
• Grow sales and generate solid, qualified leads via an online channel
• Keep up with their customers by providing the tools to go digital and stay in contact with them online

Voltimum also tracks all the latest industry breakthroughs and market issues. We highlight to our partners what's new and what matters to their target audience by offering advice and industry insight from our own market research.

Martin Whiteside and Ricky Campitelli from simPRO discuss the benefits of job management software for electrical businesses by connecting all aspects of their business.

Guests:

David Mann discusses Uninterruptible Power Supplies or UPSs, going into the fundamental principles and providing an overview of the Schneider Electric Easy UPS single-phase offer.

Guests:

• David Mann – Regional Offer Manager at Schneider Electric UK.
• Sean Miller – Electrician Programme Manager at Schneider Electric UK.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Uninterruptible Power Supplier or UPS
• Fundamentals of UPS systems
• Surge Protection, Clean Power and Battery Backup
• Explaining Power Factor with Beer
• Exploring Batteries and Battery Life
• Overview of the single-phase Easy UPS ranges including BVS, SMVS and SRVS.
• Opportunities for electricians and installers.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

In this episode we chat to John Bradley, the Chair of JPEL/64 (the decision-making committee for the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations). We explore major updates to BS 7671 with the 18th Edition and 18th Edition Amendment 1 – including SPDs, AFDDs and electric vehicle charging. We also talk to John about his vast experience in the industry.

Guests:

John Bradley, UK Standards Manager at Schneider Electric and Chair of JPEL/64

Topics discussed in this episode:

• BS 7671 18th Edition: The IET Wiring Regulations
• BS 7671 18th Edition: Amendment 1
• British Standards Institute (BSI) and JPEL/64 (the national Wiring Regulations committee)
• John Bradley’s career in the electrical industry

Resources mentioned in this episode:

***Bonus episode*** 

Listen to audio from our webinar on '18th Edition Amendment 2: Draft for Public Comment' with John Bradley and Kieran Whyte, discussing the DPC process and the proposed changes. 

Guests:

• John Bradley, UK Standards Manager at Schneider Electric and Chair of JPEL/64
• Kieran Whyte, Category Manager at Schneider Electric
  

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Draft for Public Comment (DPC) of Amendment 2 to BS 7671:2018
• Accessing the DPC
• Dates for submitting comments
• Summary of the main changes (not exhaustive)
  

Resources mentioned in this episode:

In this episode Adam Callow (founder and CEO of Expert Trades) speaks with Darren (Darren Spencer Electrical), Gareth (Newport Electrical Services) and Steve (Hampshire Technical) about life as an electrician, challenges in the industry today and top advice if you're just starting out.

Additional resources:

In this episode, Daryl Sharp provides an overview of our EV charging solutions and answers questions relevant to electricians. As the E-mobility Technical Operations Manager at Schneider Electric, Daryl shares his knowledge on EV charging and energy management.

Guests:

Louisa Buckley, Residential Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric, co-hosts this episode with Antonia Ludden, Interior Stylist blogger for Tidylife. They discuss home improvement inspiration and trends and offer some tips and advice to help you and your customers during your DIY projects this September. Antonia has eight years of experience in home and life blogging. Her blog features interior design ideas and lifestyle inspiration.  

Guests:  

• Sean Miller – Electrician Programme Manager at Schneider Electric
• Louisa Buckley - Residential Segment Marketing Manager at Schneider Electric
• Jennifer Toppan - Digital Marketing Executive at Schneider Electric
• Antonia Ludden - Interior Stylist Blogger at Tidylife

Topics discussed in this episode: 

• Interior design trends in the home and home office 
• Advice on where to look for home inspiration and trends 
• Digital trends 
• Sustainability in the home 
• Product installation  
• Purchasing Schneider Electric products 
• Competition during September 2020 

Resources mentioned in this episode: 

Richard Browning, Founder and Chief Test Pilot at Gravity Industries Ltd., discusses taking on the next frontier in human flight.

Guests:

• Richard Browning - Former oil trader and Royal Marines Reservist, Richard founded pioneering aeronautical innovation company Gravity Industries in March 2017 to launch human flight into an entirely new era. The Gravity #JetSuit uses over 1000bhp of jet engine power combined with natural human balance to deliver the most intense and enthralling spectacle, often likened to the real-life Ironman. Gravity has to date been experienced by over a billion people globally and covered by virtually every media platform.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Pursuing human flight
• Starting Gravity Industries
• Innovation philosophy
• Advice for entrepreneurs

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Thank you to everyone that has helped make Season One the success it has been. We can't wait to come back with Season Two!

Our partner Expert Trades makes this show possible and is helping us to collect your feedback on how we make Season Two even better.