This issue covers:
- BEEA Awards launched
- IET Low Voltage DC power event
- Making light work of standards compliance
- Electronic component sales on the rise for now
- See us at MENE in July
BEEA Awards launched
UK electronics and electrotechnical companies are being encouraged to enter the British Engineering Excellence Awards.
The BEEAs reward companies who have shown innovation in design within the last year, as well as the design engineers who made the innovations possible.
The 2015 categories include design engineer of the year and new electronic product of the year, as well as young designer and small company of the year.
Entry is free and the online entry process is designed to be completed quickly and easily. The deadline for submissions is Friday 24 July 2015. For more information and to obtain an online entry form, visit www.beeas.co.uk
IET Low Voltage DC power event
A special event showcasing the IET's new Code of Practice for Low and Extra Low Voltage Direct Current Power Distribution in Buildings aims to show how the safe, effective and competent application of installations for low voltage direct current power distribution in buildings can reap benefits including cost savings.
The growth in low voltage direct current powering solutions is based on the combination of potential benefits for integrated management of services, reductions in energy consumption and improvements in energy efficiency.
These benefits result from increasing granularity in the monitoring and control of space and energy usage and the use of equipment with greater operational energy efficiency.
The event is being held on 18th June at the Broadway House Conference Centre in London. Details here
Making light work of standards compliance
A leading manufacturer of commercial and domestic lighting has improved electrical safety testing of its range of LED products using a multi-function Clare HAL LED tester from Seaward.
JCC Lighting Products Ltd, designs, sources and manufactures light fittings suitable for customers in domestic lighting, office lighting, industrial and retail lighting markets in the UK and growing international markets.
This includes a range of advanced LED downlights, LED panels, wall and ceiling lights, track and spotlight systems, and traditional wall lanterns.
The company’s facility at Bognor Regis, Sussex has been using a HAL LED on its production line to batch test LED units manufactured or converted before they are distributed to UK electrical wholesalers and international customers
The HAL LED, which provides power measurement up to 1000VA with a resolution of 200mVA, performs continuity and ground/earth bond tests alongside AC/DC Hipot (FLASH/Dielectric Strength).
The use of the tester ensures JCC’s products meet product quality, performance and reliability standards and are safety compliant with EN 60598 for the safety of fixed lighting equipment such as recessed and surface luminaires.
Function testing is also undertaken as part of the programme to check that each unit switches on/off and lights correctly at the required power consumption levels and that any ancillary equipment works in accordance with technical specifications.
The HAL LED combines the performance of a multi-function production line safety tester with load and power factor measurement for product energy consumption and ratings assessments. The tester can be fully integrated into automated manufacturing systems with selectable sensors and enclosure interlocks, or by ultimate control using remote PCs and PLCs. Full details here.
Electronic component sales on the rise for now
Component sales in the UK through distribution seem to be on the increase, but the slowdown in Europe still threatens future forecasts.
The latest data from the Electronic Components Supply Network (ECSN), shows that billings among its distributor members increased by 10% in March compared to the previous month and by 2% when compared to the same month in 2014.
According to ECSN the indications are that the improvement in sales will be reflected in the figures the association will soon release for the first quarter of 2015, with unaudited results showing that billings rose by 9% in 2015 compared to the previous quarter, and by 1.4% when compared to Q1 of 2014.
ECSN’s forecast for Q2 ’15 is in the range 0% to 2% growth and the association expects improving single digit growth as the year progresses.
However, Adam Fletcher, ECSN chair, said: “Members confirm 2015 is likely be a year of low consolidated growth, reflecting the economic environment in the UK/Ireland, in Europe and Globally,” said Fletcher
Overall bookings improved by 2% in March 2015 compared to the previous month but showed a (5%) decline over the same period in 2014. Full story at www.electronicsweekly.com
See us at MENE in July
We will exhibiting at Manufacturing and Engineering North East (stand D15) on 8-9th July 2015 at the Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, UK. On display will be the HAL 104 production line safety tester, Sentinel quality and conformance tester and the DO5000 digital microhmmeter
For all upcoming Seaward events visit our events page
Do you use Clare or Cropico equipment? - If you think you may have a story for future e-news bulletins, please let us know by contacting us here.
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