Fastlec

Hand Dryer Revolution

Hand dryers have come on leaps and bounds over the last couple of years, it is no longer acceptable for them to whine away using endless amounts of electricity to ‘almost’ dry your hands.

There are a host of new ECO models available from most manufacturers like Dyson’s Airblade , Mitsubishi’s Jet Towel and Vent Axia’s Jet Dry and Tempest to name but a few.

Hand dryers are a very cost effective option when compared with using paper towels, they are ideal for office, shops, restaurants, pubs and hospitals. They can also be more hygienic than using paper towels, automatic hand dryers switch themselves on using a sensor when they detect hands beneath the unit avoiding bacterial transference. Modern hand dryers also use HEPA filters and ‘silver impregnation’ to further improve hygiene.

How Efficient Are Hand Dryers?

Hand dryers start from 450 watts up to 2400 watts depending on model and manufacturer but this is only relevant when the actual drying time is taken into context. Drying times can vary from 10 seconds up to a minute. The latest Mitsubishi Jet Towel unheated dryer is rated at 550w but has a quick drying time of 13 -15 seconds which gives an estimated cost of just one fifth of a penny per hand dry!

Hand Dryers Are Quite Noisy Aren’t They?

All depends on the particular dryer, the decibel ratings range from 36Db up to 76Db. To put that into context, a normal conversation between 2 people would be approximately 60 decibels at 1 metre. The original Dyson Airblades used to sound like an aircraft taking off, but the most recent models have high-tech silencers fitted to greatly reduce the noise levels.

Hand Dryers Dry At Similar Speeds Don’t They?

Not really, because drying times have been drastically reduced on modern dryers. You’ll probably notice that older technology dryers don’t mention the drying time, whereas the new generation units quote drying times usually between 10 and 15 seconds. They’re all trying to hit or beat the 10 seconds barrier, but 15 seconds is probably good enough for anyone as long as their hands are properly dry at the end of the session.

How Long Are The Guarantees On These Dryers?

The top manufacturers such as Mitsubishi and Dyson are offering up to 5 years, but make sure you check the small print to see what part of the guarantee is parts and labour and which is just for parts. You will usually need to register to extend the warranty (just like with washing machines and cookers etc..). The rest of the manufacturers will offer you between 1-3 years, so its worth checking.

Can You Get Hand Dryers In Different Finishes To Compliment Our Washrooms?

Dryer manufacturer’s have realised that aesthetics are important in this market and many now offer a wider range of colours as well as more modern designs. They are available in Grey, Silver, White, Black and even in PINK ( Kangarillo Hand Dryer )

Funky or what !!!!!!!!

Are All Hand Dryers Vandal Resistant?

Most are, but not all. Dependant on model chosen, hand dryers are mainly supplied in tough ABS plastic, offering a level of vandal resistance, but for extreme use try a die cast metal or stainless steel unit.

Hand Dryers Continue To Evolve

Just when you thought they couldn’t do anything more with the humble hand dryer, three of the leading manufacturer’s in the sector remind us that they haven’t been sat twiddling their thumbs while everyone else was busy copying their original innovations.

 Airflow Eco Dry

This new dryer from Airflow arrived without too much fanfare (compared to their Eco Loovent Fan launch which was accompanied with massive amounts of promotional material, media advertising and the best track day at Silverstone I’ve ever seen). The lack of trumpet blowing from the manufacturer incorrectly prepared me for another ‘me continue reading…

Homepower, a Bognor Regis Installer, was approached recently regarding the refurbishment of the electrics and lighting plates in Peppering House near Chichester and opted for Focus SB accessories.

Peppering House

Managing Director Martin Ellwood, recognised that the Focus SB range of lighting plates would be the ideal fittings to choose for use throughout this prestigious project.  With over 300 lighting plates in the range they were an ideal choice to complement the variations of interior design, furnishings and decor throughout the entire building.

Kitchen

Hallway

This decision having been made, he contacted Tim Yarnold, National Sales Manager at ADR Fastlec in Littlehampton, to source and supply these items.  Tim confirmed that for a demanding, high profile project such as this, Focus SB, renowned for their specialist metal workers,  would be the ideal manufacturer to supply well made fittings, in a timely manner, to comply with any stringent specifications and unusual aesthetic requirements with no problems or hold ups.

The project has now been completed to the delight and complete satisfaction of both the installer and the customer and Martin has said that he would definitely recommend Focus SB Plates again without any hesitation.  ”More than 300 Prism II, Primed White and True Edge with Satin Chrome Finish and plates were ordered and both the quality and finish of all the products was superb.”

Staircase

 Roger Kemp, the Managing Director of Focus SB explained

 “Our skilled craftspeople, based in Sussex, hand finish our products to be functional and beautiful and to last a lifetime.

 In addition, our extensive range of lighting and socket plate designs will complement any decor whether it be modern and stylish or an elegant period theme and all products are supplied with the necessary technical requirements and supports to make installation an easy and straightforward process.”

The NEW Redring Powerstream Eco is Launched!

The Powerstream is without doubt, one of the biggest selling water heaters on the UK market.

Its success is that it has allowed people to provide instant hot water to basins anywhere in a domestic or commercial installation with just a cold-water feed. Add to that, the fact that the unit was smaller than the body of a shower unit and could be hidden away anywhere. The simple design has remained unchanged for over a decade, until now.

Saving money with the new Eco model:

Redring have added an external temperature selection dial to the front of the new Powerstream. This gives now gives the unit 3 powered and one ‘cold’ water settings that can be selected by the user as required. Mains water pressure varies between installations, so where pressure is good, the reduced power settings can be used to provide hot water for hand washing at less than half the price. Also, as the seasons change, the temperature of the water entering the unit varies greatly, so you can reduce the power outside the winter months and make seasonal savings.

Redring Powersteam Eco - Modern design:

As the unit now needs to be more accessible if you wish to control the power, Redring have also given their new Powerstream a complete makeover. The new unit has rounded edges and attractive sleek lines.

9.5kw Model – Part Number 45673201 – Short Code RP1E

High – 9.5kw full power

Eco – 5.4kw

Low – 4.1kw

Cold

 10.8kw Model – Part Number 45673202 – Short Code RP10.8E

High – 10.8kw full power

Eco – 6kw

Low – 4.8kw

Cold

At this time, we understand that the original 12kw model will also be available in the earlier design for the foreseeable future.

The NEW Powerstream is now available to buy from the Fastlec Redring Powerstream section

Electric Water Heater Selection By Installation Type:

Single Basin Electric Water Heaters

NB – Electric water heater suppliers differentiate between basins (only big enough to wash your hands in) and sinks (big enough to wash up plates and crockery). If you fit a water heater designed for a basin to a kitchen sink, they may try to get out of the warranty if you have a problem. It makes sense up to a certain point, as a heater used for occasional hand-washing is going to work less than half as hard over 3 years as one that’s feeding a kitchen sink where someone washes up 2-3 times a day or more.

Over-sink electric water heater options:

Hand wash unit – These neat little boxes with spouts sit directly over your sink and instantaneously heat the water as it passes through the unit. They’re usually 3kw and you can get auto-sensing ones for increased hygiene and economy. Great for hand-washing, not so for washing-up.

Over-sink vented water storage unit – Looks like a big brother to the hand wash, but works by storing the water in the tank (5, 7 or 10 litre versions are most common) and keeping it hot. A thermostat on the front of the unit allows you to control the stored water temperature. Water is delivered to the basin via a spout similar to that of the hand wash unit. Plenty of hot water to do a bowl of washing up, bit of an over-kill if it only gets used for hand-washing.

Multiple Basins/Sinks Electric Water Heaters

Under-sink electric water heater options:

Instant water heaters – These very compact units can be discreetly tucked away under sinks or inside cupboards. They work in a similar way to an instant continue reading…

Why Limit The Choice For You Or Your Client?

Normally, you would expect a good electrical wholesaler or even retailer to be able to offer you a choice of a couple of different types of electric shower off the shelf in perhaps two or three different power ratings. One of them would most likely be a basic model with simple dual rotary controls at a keen price and the other a more advanced model with controls that allow you to leave the shower settings in place for your the next time that you use it and also maybe offer some type of thermostatic protection against reductions in flow rates.  The two popular ratings would be 8.5kw and 9.5kw.

150 Showers Ready For Next Day Delivery

That’s fine to a certain extent and would cover a percentage of projects, but given that the number of features and models is so massive, it seems a shame to settle for such a limited range of choice. After all, if your client won’t stretch to replacing the entire cable run with a larger cable,  you could offer them another 7.2kw shower to replace the one that’s failed. If you’re putting in a new circuit anyway, maybe the client wouldn’t mind paying extra for an ultra powerful 10.8kw shower or a remote control digital unit. Thankfully, Fastlec carry in the region of 150 different electric showers in 13 different ranges at any one time all ready for next day delivery to mainland UK (non-mainland UK usually 2 days).

List of all the Redring models we carry, covering 7.2kw, 8.5kw, 9.5kw and 10.8kw options:

• Active 320 electric showers
• Active 350 electric showers
• Expressions 500 electric showers
• Expressions 550 electric showers
• Expression Eco T energy saver electric showers
• Slimline 620 electric showers
• Slimline 650 electric showers
• Advantage 550 electric showers
• Selectronic Premier electric care showers
• Expressions 570 pumped electric showers
• Expressions 520 power showers (electric supply only required for the pump)
• Digimix remote control electric showers
• Digimix pumped remote control mixer showers

 FREE Timed Delivery (orders over £50)

All our showers are shipped with DPD couriers on a next working day service, who send you need an email (and a text if you supply your mobile number) with full tracking details and also giving you a one hour delivery window that day so you know when they’re coming. The communications also allow rescheduling of the delivery either on-line or by text.

Due to the Internet revolution, clients are now aware of and expect a greater range of choice and don’t expect to wait too long either, so don’t limit them, provide them with an off the shelf solution or a feature rich shower upgrade.

If you would like to browse our prices or make a purchase, then please visit the Fastlec website showers section , but in the meantime here’s a selection of current prices (correct at 23/1/13):

Active 320S 8.5KW electric shower £57.50 +VAT

Expressions 500S 9.5kw designer feature shower £79.99 +VAT (sp offer)

Expression Eco T 8.5kw energy saving shower £221.43 +VAT

Expressions 570 9.5kw pump assisted electric shower £175 +VAT

Selectronic Premier Plus ‘Care’ 9.5kw electric shower £207.50 +VAT

Digimix DMP1 remote control mixer shower £240.83 +VAT

Congratulations to ‘King and Williams Electrical’, the winners of our ‘Challenge Energetic LED’ competition.

Contractors came from far and wide to test their favourite GU10 LED lamps up against the new 4w Energetic lamp from Click Scolmore. Although none of the lamps tried could better, the output and colour of the Energetic lamps, all names were put in a hat for the ‘Veuve Clicquot Champagne Draw’.

The lucky ‘Quaffers’ were presented with their liquid winnings by James Hazelgrove, ADR Fastlec’s external sales executive.

Mr King & Mr Williams

Can I replace my 7.2kw shower with an 8.5 or 9.5kw model?

Yes, but you will probably require an upgrade in size of the cable that runs from your fuse-board to the shower as these larger power showers will draw a higher current than your old one. You will also require an upgrade of the fuse or MCB back at the fuse-board to handle the higher current. 7.2kw showers were typically wired on 4mm or 6mm twin and earth cable and depending on the volt drop calculations that your electrician should run, you will require a 6mm or 10mm cable for an 8.5kw shower and a 10mm cable for your 9.5kw shower. Your MCB (fuse) will also need upgrading to 40,45 or 50A depending on your electricians calculations.

There is a link to handy cable size selector on the Fastlec help page here that will give you a rough idea of the cable size required for your installation

Do the higher power models, give a hotter and more powerful shower?

They do, but the over-all performance of the shower is limited to some extent to your existing cold water pressure – if you have have poor mains water pressure then a standard electric shower won’t be able to increase that pressure. Instant electric showers have a powerful element inside that heats the water extremely quickly as it passes through the shower body, so as you can imagine with a very low flow rate , the water takes longer to pass through and therefore comes out of the shower at a higher temperature. continue reading…

In today’s modern lighting market, exciting innovations are being introduced on an almost weekly basis.

With the constant aim to improve quality, extend the lifetime of electrical products and of course reduce energy usage and running costs the lighting sector is constantly changing, with new items and product upgrades always available for the discerning user.

Firebreak LED 10

The KSR Lighting Firebreak LED10 range has only just been released onto the market and incorporates all of the features one has come to expect of a high quality downlight with the added bonus of the option to change the bezel for a different colour, a different shape (square bezels and drop glass are both available) plus a tilt rim or a baffle rim.  This comprehensive option is, as far as we can determine, unique to this type of integrated down lights.  Each of the options is available in a range of colour options and complements the downlight in a way that has never before been possible.

On the technical side, the design of these revolutionary Firebreak LED 10 down lights incorporates numerous design and safety features.  As well as the detachable rims,  the light is supplied with a switched dimmable pre-wired LED driver and boasts a very efficient heat sink to take the heat away from the LED chips.  In addition to that, 3 spring clip height settings make it suitable for fitting into all types of fire rated ceilings.

The fittings benefit from a full five year, no quibble warranty making them a quality purchase with a long expected life.

Out now – The Click Inceptor Range

Another new and innovative design which has just been released onto the market is the Inceptor range from Scolmore.  This is a range of integrated LED downlights that are fire and acoustic rated with flexi drivers.  They are an ideal choice when installing into shallow ceiling voids as the unit will fit into a void as shallow as 60mm.

This range of lights are covered by a ten year warranty and include many features and benefits such as a 35 degree angle, an integrated LED driver and Flexi-driver mount and an intumescent collar.  Various finishes are available, they fit straight to mains with one quick easy connection, they provide a wide spread of light and are suitable for bathrooms and wet rooms.

In spite of all the added features and benefits, these downlights are keenly priced and also give a cost saving against traditional lamps.  Demand for these fittings is expected to be extremely high so watch out for the launch date.

Coming Soon! – The Ansell Titan

The launch date for the Titan (rumored to be December 2012) from Ansell has not yet been released but this is another eagerly awaited new integrated fire and acoustic rated down-lighter.

• Bright – Pushing out 800 Lumens from a single 9w chip, its going to be a great replacement for halogen MR16.
• Dimmable – They are going to be dimmable as standard with a comprehensive list of UK dimmers.
• Long Life – 7 Year warranty (no registration required!). The Titan also uses the same open case design as the iCage which allows further heat dissipation from dedicated heat-sink in order to prolong the LED life expectancy (Average 50,000 hours).
• More Colour Choice – Available with white,  brass, chrome, satin chrome, antique brass or black fast fit bezels.
• Use Anywhere – IP65 waterproof as standard.
• Low Energy – 55-61 Lumens per Watt. 80% energy saving over halogen.

There’s also a neat new micro-switch feature at the terminal block that allows you to isolate the fitting for an insulation test. This helps prevent potential damage to the LED driver.

Q&A – Setting Up and Wiring Extractor Fans In The Home.

Please note – These are the most common questions that our customer service team are asked on a daily basis about extractor fans. Some of this information is given to aid understanding of some of the most common fan wiring issues – We would always recommend that any wiring in the home is done by a suitably qualified electrician as there are very real dangers and stringent laws associated with the majority of electrical work.

Question: I bought a timer fan to replace a standard fan, why won’t it work?

Answer: Usually this due to the original standard fan only having a single live connection. Most timer fans (and fans with other automated options such as humidistats and PIR sensors) require an additional permanent live cable to make the timer function work. This type of fan uses a switched live to activate the fan on first use and then when this circuit is broken (i.e. the fan is switched off with the light for instance) then the other ‘permanent’ live provides a feed to the fan in order that it can run on for the duration that the timer has been set to. The fan cannot be used, unless the extra live is provided or the time function is completely linked out (see below).

There are some exceptions to this rule, for example the Airflow Quietair timer, humidity and sensor fans will work without the additional permanent live its just the over-run timer won’t function.

Question: How can I get my timer fan to work when I only have 1 live cable and a neutral?

Answer: Most timer fans can be fitted to a circuit with only a single live if the permanent and switched live terminals on the fan are ‘linked’. This will allow the fan to run in a straight forward on/off operation only, the timer will not activate. This should only be attempted by an electrician after first consulting with the manufacturer of the fan.

Question: I have just had my humidity fan installed and its continuously running and it wont turn off

Answer: Most humidity controlled fans leave the factory with the adjustable humidity stats  pre-set (sometimes as low as 40% RH), it may well be the humidity in the area that you live in is higher than the factory setting thus resulting in the fan running continuously. Simply increase the humidity stat setting to the required level of relative humidity. We advise starting at full (usually 90%) and working back down in small increments until you are happy with the fans response to turning on the shower etc. Please also be aware that unless your house is completely 100% sealed, then increases in external humidity levels during the year will also have an effect inside your house, so you may need to adjust the fan setting every 6 months or so.

Question: How do you wire a fan so that it comes on with the lighting circuit?

Answer: Pretty much any extractor fan (continuous running fans are usually set to run at a very low speed when the light (or remote switch) is off can be wired to be switched on/off at the same time as the light in the room. In simple terms, the light source is wired between the ‘switched live’ and the ‘neutral’ on the input side of the fan (or more likely the fan isolation switch to comply with regulations).

Question: Are 2 Speed (or multi-speed) fans more difficult to wire?

Answer: Not necessarily, but you do have pay close attention to the manufacturer’s wiring diagrams. You have a choice of terminals to wire to for one speed and another set for the higher speed. The complications can arrive if you wish to be able to externally switch the fan between speed 1 and speed 2. This will usually require the wiring in of an additional switch that will alter the speed (with a separate pull cord for example switching the fan on/off). It is also possible to buy a 3 position switch that has a centre off and then a speed 1 and speed 2 setting so that fan can be controlled from just one switch. You can further complicate things by adding a lighting circuit and timer facility. This is why qualified electricians have to spend a long time in the classroom and on courses learning all the possible permutations and how to confidently read some of the more complicated wiring diagrams. It is also worth noting that ‘having a stab’ at the wiring of extractor fans can not only be dangerous but also risks damaging the fan circuitry, so that when its eventually re-wired correctly it may still not work.

Question: How are Continuous or DMEV fans used?

Answer: Continuous running fans are usually set to run at a very low speed when the light (or remote switch is off) and then go into ‘boost’ mode (higher fan speed) when the circuit is activated. In continuous mode, the fan provides gradual replacement of air very quietly and with a small amount of energy. The boost function helps to remove humidity and stale air when a room has been recently used for showering, bathing, tumble drying etc..

Question:  How do I keep fan noise as low as possible?

• Pick a fan with a low decibel levels (Vent Axia Silent, Airflow Quietair etc..)
• Be aware that fully tiled bathrooms can act as an amplifier for any noise present.
• Use an in-line fan in the loft or void if possible (Airflow Aventa, Vortice Lineo etc..)
• Use the lower fan speed setting on in-line mixed flow fans as often high speed is over kill in standard sized bathrooms
• Cushion the fan mountings – Many contractors use cut up pieces of mouse mat under the in-line fan mountings to reduce vibration noise transferring through the joists.
• Extreme noise reductions – Its not uncommon for in-line fans to be ‘wire suspended’ in some lofts so that vibration issues are taken out all together.
• Consider using acoustic, insulated ducting.

View the extractor fan section of the Fastlec website