Electrical News Weekly
Electrical News Weekly
Urgent Govt Warning: These Double Sockets Can Kill!
The UK Government issues an urgent fire warning on a popular double socket…
…a respected lighting company accuses 2,000 building operators of breaching fire regulations…
..and electricians must raise their game by giving more information to householders grappling with complex kit, says the IET…
Welcome to Electrical News Weekly, whether you're listening in the van, on site, or down at the wholesale counter.
======================
Show Notes
Socket Product Codes 👉 https://www.gov.uk/product-safety-alerts-reports-recalls/product-safety-report-wall-socket-ms589-2506-0129#:~:text=Summary,-Product%3A%20Wall%20Socket&text=Hazard%3A%20The%20product%20presents%20a,for%20this%20type%20of%20product.
IET Guidance 👉 https://electrical.theiet.org/wiring-matters/years/2025/105-may-2025/user-and-maintenance-instructions-for-modern-domestic-electrical-installations/
Join The eFIXX Fantasy League 👉 https://spark.efixx.co.uk/eFIXX-Fantasy-Football/
Learn More About TradeKart 👉 https://youtube.com/live/MSBTFd5bYB8
An EV Charger You Can Take With You 👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14SCHFN4zuM
Learn More About The Enua Story 👉 https://youtube.com/live/GsVJHonEjiY
Zaptec Sense 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/ZaptecSense
EV Blocks B800 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/EVBlocksB800
FuseBox IP65 CU 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/FuseBoxIp65CU
Marshall Tufflex Hockey Sticks 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/MTHockeySticks
Learn More 👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/z9XDAQXjC_c
eFIXX Trainer Central 👉 https://www.trainercentral.com/mobile-app.html
===============================================
Thanks to our premium partners:
Sunsynk 👉 http://hub.efixx.co.uk/sunsynk-enw
Niglon 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/NiglonENW
Ledvance 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/LedvanceENW
Rolec 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/RolecENW
CPN Cudis 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/CPNCUDISENW
Doncaster Cables 👉 http://hub.efixx.co.uk/doncastercables-enw
CED Electrical Group 👉 https://hub.efixx.co.uk/CEDElecENW
=======================================
Time Stamps ⏱️
00:00 Electrical News Weekly 28/07/2025
00:30 Don't Use This Socket, Govt Warns
01:38 2,000 Building Operators Accused of Breaching Fire Regs
02:49 Electricians Must Help More With Installation Knowledge
03:40 Join The eFIXX Fantasy Football League
04:20 An App That Can Make a Huge Difference
04:50 An EV Charger You Can Take With You
05:44 Garo Electric launches Home Charger
06:17 Easee Unveils The Charge Pro
06:42 Zaptec Sense - EV Load Management
07:17 New EV Foundation From EV Blocks
07:53 IP Rated Consumer Units From FuseBox
08:30 New Hockey Sticks From Marshall Tufflex
09:19 Download The Trainer Central App
09:45 Learner Of The Week
10:10 Thanks To Our Premium Partners
11:12 Challenge Words & Winners
=============================================
#enw #electricians #electricalinstallation
Coming up on this week's news, the government issues an urgent fire warning on a popular double socket. A respected lighting company accuses 2,000 building operators of breaching fire regulations. And electricians must raise their game by giving more information to householders grappling with complex kits, says the IET. Welcome to Electrical News Weekly. Whether you're listening in the van, on site, or down at the wholesale counter, I'm Joe Robinson, and I've been through the best of the electrical industry news to save you the trouble. And if you think you've spotted the two words that I've been challenged to slip into this week's show, comment with them below for the chance to win a prize. Don't use this double socket. That's the stark warning to the trade from the government this week. The Office for Product Safety and Standards says the MS589 presents a serious risk of fire. The Chinese unit, which features a distinctive blue rear moulding and contains two USBA sockets, does not meet the insulation requirements for this type of product. This means that the isolation of the input and output circuits is in real danger of breaking down. Additionally, there is not enough creepage and clearage distances between circuits, and there is no overcurrent protection device fitted to the USB input circuit. There are also compliance failures with the marking, labelling, and documentation of the product. The inspectors say that the socket doesn't meet the requirements of the electrical equipment safety regulations of 2016 or the plugs and sockets safety regulations of 1994. While imports of the MS589 are now being rejected at the border, any electrical contractors coming across it in the market are urged to contact their local office of trading standards. I've put the product identifier numbers in the show notes. It's the first double socket to be red flagged since last December. That's when venerable British brand MK urgently recalled some 37 versions of its Essentials double socket range over what was termed a high risk of fire. The Office for Product Safety and Standards revealed then that there was a possibility of an arc flash to occur at the switch. Still on fire safety, the Health and Safety Executive has shut down an apartment building in Preston and evacuated the residents after its inspector found that it had no fire detection system. It also had no means of raising the alarm in case of a fire, inadequate escape plans, and the building work wasn't phased properly to maintain fire compartmentation. The company behind the project, Glovers Court Limited of Ultringham Cheshire, has now gone into liquidation. The project is just one of thousands, says the respected lighting manufacturer, Thorlux. The company says that over 2,000 premises a year are breaching the fire regulations. The Reddit based firm compiled the shocking figure after analysing data from the National Fire Chiefs Council. It says that between June 2024 and the end of May 2025, fire chiefs issued some 2066 enforcement and prohibition notices. More worryingly, 10 were against hospitals, six were against schools, and no fewer than 140 were against care homes. The company's Liam Green says that despite the critical importance of compliance, especially to emergency lighting requirements, many employers and property owners remain unaware of their responsibilities or the fact that they may already be non-compliant. Breaches of the regs can result in significant consequences. These include personal liability if you're the designated responsible person. The site can also be closed down or access restricted, a situation that would be less comfortable than a barracuda bite. In other news, the authors of the wiring regulations want the trade to raise its game when it comes to helping their customers get to grips with installations. The IET says that homes are becoming increasingly complex with solar, PV, energy, and entertainment kit now much more common. So now it's no longer good enough to give the householder the product instruction guide from the box. It wants electricians to brief the users on the correct operational and emergency procedures for their systems. These could include the startup and shutdown protocols, safety precautions, and the meaning of main indications, alarms, and fault codes. They should also furnish contact details for help, repair, maintenance, and the warranty for connected kit. The IET says that installers need to give their clients details of how to change the network connection, how to connect to a new Wi-Fi network, and enter the passwords. It says, however, some of the traditional methods are still valid. For instance, some information may be suitable for instruction notices in prominent positions near the relevant equipment. I've put a link to the full advisory in the show notes. And now for something completely different. In news that's sweeter than a gobstopper, we've created a fantasy football league, complete with its own WhatsApp chat. It was announced on last week's live stream, and there's already some tension forming between Joe 2.0 and Gary over what Joe referred to as his domination of Gary in our internal league last year. So, we thought we couldn't keep that to ourselves, and it was time to invite you to join the fun. Click the link in the show notes. It'll take you to our dedicated web page where you'll find all the information you need to get involved. Philip Hauge off of TestRigs UK Limited was the first to join the WhatsApp group and has got the banter off to a strong start. He's a Forrest supporter, so he's looking forward to another roller coaster of a season. And if you're not sure you've got the skills to pick a winning team, then don't worry, I'm going to be joining in the fun. So, the relegation slot is already taken. On that same show, we also hosted the founder and CEO of TradeKart, Alistair McCauley, Build as the Deliveroo for Trades. We've had mixed results when it comes to apps, but this one actually works. And we proved it on the day of the show by getting an emergency delivery of some gear from Tool Station in under 40 minutes for the cost of just a Fiver. It worked so well even Gary was convinced. And best of all, if you use the code EFIXX when using the app, you'll get your first delivery absolutely free up until the 31st of August. What's not to love? Now, welcome to our electrical news weekly feature where we focus on a specific product area. This week, we're taking a spin in all things EV. Our first product is definitely a bit different. Norwegian firm ENUA has developed an EV charger that can either be installed permanently or remain detachable, so you can take it with you on your travels. So, it's perfect if you need multiple charging points if you're moving, have a holiday home, or simply want full control over your charging station. The 22 kW charge simply clicks into the wall mount where it locks automatically. You don't need any tools. Even Joe Hammond likes it. He got one to play with recently. I've put the link to his review video in the show notes. The firm also sells a regular permanently fixed charging station as well. And being Scandi, Enua has obviously got a version that's naked, which they advertise on their website with a gentleman engaged in some naked swimming. This let it all hang out version has a transparent housing so you can see all the cool electronics inside. The brilliant man behind the brilliant company Torben Aune joined us on a live stream earlier this year and naturally most of it was taken up with an argument over whether Norwegian electrical practice is better than the Brits. The link to that show, as you've probably guessed, is in the show notes. Garo Electric has launched the GEV 7.4 4 home charger, an advanced, sleek, and smart EV charging solution, delivering 7.4 kW of power for fast daily use. It features remote engineer access for hassle-free support, an intuitive app for control and scheduling, and solar PV integration for sustainable charging. A 7.5 meter lead ensures flexible installation, and the compact, modern design suits any home. It's simple, stylish, and future ready, says UK sales manager Dan Dempsey. Designed for both new and experienced EV drivers, the GEV 7.4 for is available now through local wholesalers with nationwide installation support. Easee has launched the Charge Pro, its most advanced EV charger yet, designed for high demand sites like apartment blocks, depots, and commercial car parks. Supporting up to 22 kW charging, it features MID certified metering, dynamic load, and phase balancing and full integration with the easy control platform for remote monitoring and energy management. Charge Pro is part of a complete lineup alongside Charge Up, Charge Max, and Charge Core, giving installers a unified solution for every scenario. Zaptec Sense, meanwhile, helps prevent power overloads while optimizing EV charging. It wirelessly monitors real-time energy consumption, automatically adjusting charging to avoid tripping breakers or pushing past your supply limit. This not only protects the installation, but also cuts costs by avoiding peak time energy use. Available in two versions, generic and HAN, it supports both smart and non-smart meter setup with retrofit friendly bundles from 65 amps to 600 amps. Installation is simple via micro USB and the system integrates with the Zaptec app for setup and monitoring. It's a scalable cloud connected solution for smarter, safer home and multi-user EV charging. EV Blocks is redefining EV charging infrastructure with their B800, a next generation EV foundation built for DC rapid chargers. Designed for speed, simplicity, and future proof performance, the B800 slashes installation times by eliminating on-site concrete curing and fast tracks projects from delivery to operation. Its oversized ducting entry makes handling large cables effortless, while a universal standardised design ensures seamless future upgrades. Simply swap the interface plate to fit the latest charger. Durable, sustainable, and cost-effective, the B800 sets a new benchmark for DC charger foundations, expanding EV blocks trusted EV charger foundation range and driving the UK's rapid shift to electric mobility. Click the link in the show notes to find out more. Now, a suitable solution to assist EV charge point installation comes from FuseBox. They've got a range of IP65 rated consumer units offering strong protection against dust and moisture for both indoor and outdoor use. Ideal for humid environments like launderettes and factory workshops or external setups like garages and EV charge points, these enclosures ensure safety from electrical hazards. Features include six module aluminium housings, white or grey finishes, sealable covers, drop down lids to preserve IP65 rating, extra internal height for RCBOs and AFDDs and tail clamps. Available empty or pre-populated with a range of protection options. They've even got a dedicated EV version with a 32 amp RCBO and surge protection. Now, we're used to seeing so-called hockey sticks bringing supply cables into a property. Why not use one to make your EV installation look a whole lot neater? Marshall Tufflex has introduced a new range of meter box hockey sticks designed to safely route cables from duct to meter box. Made from high quality PVCU and compatible with most domestic meter boxes, they're suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The sticks measure 1.45 m and come in 38 mil and 40 mil diameter sizes, meeting BSEN 61386 standards. Group product manager Martin Russell says the addition expands their trusted cable management offering, which already includes trunking, cable ladders, trays, and wire baskets, giving electricians even more choice from a reliable UK manufacturer. We've made some short educational videos on these hockey sticks, so if you'd like to know more, click the links to those in the show notes. That's our electrical news weekly roundup of products or people that we think deserve some attention. Next time, we're making a racket about circuit protection. Next, a bit of eFIXX news. We issued no fewer than 4,000 certificates for continuing professional development modules completed in June. And it's about to get even easier to do a CPD. They're now going to be available via the popular Trainer Central app. Not only can you sharpen up your skills with free training on the go, you can keep track of your CPD records all in one place. Of course, the CPDs will still be available via the traditional route of the EIX website. The latest ones include a module on ferrules in association with Klauke and circuit protection with CPN Cudis. Now, it's time for everyone's favourite feature is this week's learner of the week. One of those 4,000 people taking our CPDs in June was our learner of the week, Charlie Dryden. Charlie's a full-time learner at Harrogate College, so he's a local lad to eFIXX up in the Motherland. We're really impressed with the practical work he's been showing off on Instagram. He's finished level one and level two and he's currently on the lookout for some work experience as he moves into level three. Could you help with that? If you can, get in touch with the team via the show notes. Incredible work, Charlie. Keep it up. And just before we get to your favourite bit of the show where I reveal last week's challenge words and winners, we want to thank our premium partners. We couldn't make the news without you. First up, they're the people who've created the Swiss Army knife of solar inverters along with all weather batteries. Very much the boy scouts of the solar industry, it's Sunsynk. Next, with deep commitments to the economy, the environment, and the electrical community, they're so much more than an electrical distributor, the self-styled experts in shifting boxes is Niglon. And empowering their customers to harness power through light with their intelligent energy solutions, solar technology, and advanced lighting systems is Ledvance. In an age of energy uncertainty, if you're looking for your next EV charge point to install, then helping you charge into the future with confidence, powering the future together, it's Rolec. With a new award-winning Lumo consumer unit and offering complete product support from their highly trained team, it's CPN Cudis. And with over 5,000 product lines, from heating, lighting, ventilation to wiring accessories, if you need it, they've got it. It's electrical distributor CED Group. And the best thing to come out of Yorkshire since stainless steel, the home of EV Ultra and other groundbreaking and quality products, is Doncaster Cables. Click the links in the show notes to find out more about these great brands. If you think you know the words that I've smuggled into this week's show, pop your guess into the comments. We'll take all the correct guesses and select one at random to be the winner of an eFIXX goodie bag prize. Answers submitted after about lunchtime on the Thursday after release will not be entered into the draw. Now, let's reveal the winner of last week's challenge word competition. Last week's words were wally and Kujan. And after waiting through the outpouring of bile and rage following the suggestion that cable gullies should be installed across pavements, we finally arrived at a winner pluck from our electronic hat and that was May Tier 5387. So well done to you. Make sure you click the get involved link in the show notes to claim your prize. Thanks for listening to this episode of Electrical News Weekly. Make sure you subscribe to receive the next update. Thanks for listening and until next time, have a great week. Stay safe out there and remember there's no such thing as a torque calibrated arm.