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Trade Price Reviews

At Rexel we strive to achieve the most market competitive industry prices at all times and aim to communicate any reviews in a timely manner.

We wish to advise of recent and upcoming trade price reviews from several key suppliers.

For more information please click on the supplier names below:

  • Hager (effective from 1st February 2019)
  • Electra Cables (effective from 1st March 2019)
  • BizLine (effective from 1st March 2019)
  • Nexans Olex (effective from 1st March 2019)
  • ABB (effective from 1st March 2019)
  • Prysmian (effective 1st March 2019)
  • Legrand (effective from 4th March 2019)
  • Schneider (effective from 2nd April 2019)

 

Your Everyday Essentials are in stock Everyday

Our key promise to you is to provide Service and Brands you can Trust, so our easy reference catalogue lists our most commonly used products from key suppliers of leading national brands that you can trust for quality and performance.

The BIG news is that we now have over 1000 products ranged across our branches everyday to give you confidence we can support you to get the job done.

The Everyday Essentials range of products covers the major categories you need every day, and is available in every branch across the network. They have a blue shelf tickets so you can easily see them in the branch.

You can order them from anywhere in our national network and through our Webstores, so you can Shop Anywhere, Buy Anytime. Your account pricing is all there when you log in, you can see what’s in stock and can click and collect from the branch of your choice or we will deliver – whatever suits you best.

So put us to the test and order any products highlighted with the Everyday Essentials logo, we are ready to serve you!

High Risk Work

Do you have the license?

It is important to properly assess the risks involved for each job and ensure that you have implemented the highest level of control that is reasonably practicable in the circumstances. Below is some guidance around working at heights, which is considered high risk so is likely to require a worker with the appropriate license.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Eliminate the need to work from heights where possible
  • Use a suitable working platform such as scaffolding, boom lifts or scissor lift
  • Provide adequate edge protection by using jump screens, scaffolding or guardrails – ensuring ALL components are in place
  • Ensure scaffolds are installed and inspected by
    a competent person, and that a handover certificate is provided prior to use, and every 30 days thereafter
  • Securely cover and visibly mark, or edge protect, all open penetrations in formwork or concrete slabs
  • Provide workers with safe means of access and egress to work areas
  • Only use fall restraint or fall arrest systems when edge protection or work platforms are not reasonably practicable
  • Many falls take place when people are using ladders. You should consider whether an elevating work platform or scaffolding would be safer and more efficient.
  • Make sure you have the appropriate license

Licences are required for certain types of work that are considered high risk.
In most cases, workers must be trained and assessed as competent before they are issued with a license to undertake that work.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

  • Check your workers licenses and never let an unlicensed worker do work requiring a license
  • Keep a register of when licenses are due to expire, and make sure they are renewed
  • Undertake refresher training regularly
  • Ensure you hold the appropriate license to do the work you are doing
  • Talk to your workers about how to work safely when undertaking any type of high risk or licensed work.

Scaffolding licenses

Scaffolding work includes putting up, changing or taking down of a temporary structure that is used to support a work platform, where a person or object could fall more than four metres. They are commonly used by electrical contractors so lets have a look at what is required to work safely around scaffolding.

BASIC SCAFFOLDING – SB
To perform basic scaffolding duties you need to have a Basic Scaffolding – SB high risk work license.
Basic scaffolding work includes:

  • modular or prefabricated scaffolds
  • cantilevered hoist with a maximum working load of 500 kg (materials only)
  • ropes
  • gin wheels
  • safety nets and static lines
  • bracket scaffolds (tank and form work).

INTERMEDIATE SCAFFOLDING – SI
To perform intermediate scaffolding duties you need to have an Intermediate Scaffolding – SI high risk work license. To apply for an intermediate scaffolding license you must hold, or have passed assessment for, a basic scaffolding license.
Intermediate scaffolding work includes:

  • scaffolding work included in the class of Basic Scaffolding
  • tube and coupler scaffolds including tube and coupler covered ways and gantries
  • cantilever crane loading platforms
  • cantilever and spurred scaffolds
  • barrow ramps and sloping platforms
  • scaffolding associated with perimeter safety screens & shutters
  • mast climbers.
  • safety nets and static lines
  • bracket scaffolds (tank and form work).

ADVANCED SCAFFOLDING – SA
To perform advanced scaffolding duties you need to have an Advanced Scaffolding – SA high risk work license. To apply for an advanced scaffolding license you must hold, or have previously passed assessment for, a basic scaffolding license and an intermediate scaffolding license.
Advanced scaffolding work includes:

  • scaffolding work included in the Intermediate scaffolding class
  • cantilevered hoists
  • hung scaffolds, including scaffolds hanging from tubes, wire ropes or chains
  • suspended scaffolds.

For more information about how to work safely at heights, or how to obtain a license, visit the SafeWork website in your state.

Time to get smart about smart home technology

Never before has smart home technology been more available and affordable to the everyday Australian. The technology is driving the future home and provides consumers a stylish, connected and sustainable lifestyle, so it’s no wonder its uptake in homes continues to rise. With television programs such as The Block showcasing a range of the technology, the excitement for a connected and functional home is just beginning.

Connected home technology is available for both new builds and renovations, so there’s a huge opportunity for electricians to capitalise. Just like any business however, it’s absolutely vital to understand what the end user wants to stay ahead of the game.

Recent research from Telsyte found that the number of connected devices in Australian households are estimated to more than double by 2022, skyrocketing from 17 connected devices in our homes in 2018, to 37 by 2022. So what are some key factors in driving consumer demand and what is  important to be aware of when we’re out in the field speaking with homeowners?

Automated Lighting
According to the Telsyte study, 42% of Aussies say that when visiting a friend’s place, automated lighting is the most envied piece of smart home technology being used in their home. This is followed by automated blinds (39%), voice controlled music (33%) and keyless entry with facial recognition (28%). Lighting is a great first step into
automation, with many Australians using it as a springboard into a range of other areas or devices such as preventing energy wastage and assisting with household chores.

DIY security systems
Safety is another key driver for the everyday Australian looking to invest in smart home technology, as 83% of homeowners think smart home technology will be able to help detect intruders and capture data and video.

Energy management
The cost of living continues to rise, so homeowners are willing to approach technology in order to help manage this. Smart home technology is a key tool for users to monitor their energy, where it’s being used and how, in order to make informed decisions that ultimately save money.

What does this mean for electricians? It’s opening up some great opportunities with clients – here are my top three tips for electricians to capitalise on the growing trend.

1. Be prepared
There is a strong appetite for shaking up how to build an electrical system into homes so homeowners can better manage their devices, electricity, lighting, air-conditioning, and entertainment. Homeowners turn to electricians for their recommendations and advice, so how prepared are you if your next client asked you about the technology? Could you give advice that’s specific for the case at hand?

2. Think about the bigger picture
We’re in the midst of a phase at the moment where smartspeakers such as Google Homes and Amazon Alexas are becoming stocking fillers at Christmas time. Whilst this is a great entry point, we’re finding once consumers set up the smart speaker, they’re confused as to why it won’t connect to the smart TV or why it won’t automate their blinds, for example. There is a huge opportunity for electricians to educate the homeowner on the bigger picture story. A fully integrated and connected home is wired by a back-end system. Helping the homeowner understand this opens up opportunities beyond the smart speaker and into a range of other applications like smart lighting, energy management and security.

3. Industry-collaboration
Smart home technology has not just opened up the door for electricians, but also plumbers and locksmiths as well. Between connected plumbing, keyless entry and automated lighting, the opportunity to work together on projects or new builds offers itself to some great networking and beneficial relationships across industry. If you’re part of a small community in particular, these methods of integrating across industry not only provides business opportunities, but also provides a way for you to learn from a different perspective.

Rexel energy efficiency team – Case study

Rexel’s in house team is available to perform a detailed review of key high energy areas and provide a recommendation and investment schedule to reduce energy consumption.

Available outputs

  • Feasibility
  • Solution recommendation
  • Tariff & Government rebate optimisation
  • Investment payback and project finance
  • Installation and management
  • Savings verification
  • Ongoing maintenance services

In this case study of a coal mine, the customer was seeking to significantly reduce energy costs, so there was a truly collaborative effort on site. The audit took 3 Rexel team members two day shifts and one night, with fully supervised access to all areas and approximately 2,800 light fittings reviewed.

AEMO 2018 Integrated System Plan

“AEMO’s analysis confirms that we are witnessing disruption across almost every element of the value chain. Due to the vital importance of affordable, reliable and secure power as the engine of a strong economy, care must be taken now more than ever to manage this transformation in order to minimise costs and risks and maximise value to consumers,” said AEMO Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Audrey Zibelman.

AEMO’s analysis displays the fundamental changes occurring in the energy sector:

  • Grid demand is flattening due to the growth of rooftop photovoltaic (PV) and increasing use of local storage, as well as overall increases in energy efficiency.
  • Over the next 20 years, a percentage of the NEM’s existing coal resources will be approaching the end of their technical lives, and will likely be retired, which highlights the importance of mitigating premature retirements as these resources currently provide essential low-cost energy and system support services required for the safe and secure operation of the power system.
  • The investment profile and capabilities of various supply resources have changed and are projected to continue to change radically.
  • In particular, costs of new renewable plant continue to fall, and advances and availability of storage technologies, particularly pumped hydro, flexible gas-powered generation and distributed energy resources (DER) are emerging as core components to a low cost and reliable energy future.

Commercial boom
The long-predicted jump in commercial-sized systems – those of more than 15 kW – is finally happening. Such demand accounted for a quarter of June’s PV demand, according to Ric Brazzale, chairman of Green Energy Markets.

“If we continue on at the same rate of installations we will end the year at between 1450 MW to 1500 MW – this will be more than 30 per cent higher than the 1100 MW installed last year,” he said.

However, when emerging demand for power stations of 100 kW or larger capacity is included, the full size of the market is likely to be much larger by the end of this year. So far 639 MW of such systems have been accredited this year and Green Energy Markets predicts another 1400 MW will be completed or accredited by December.

All up, total solar installations could approach 4000 MW or close to triple the previous record set in 2017. Not only did we see records falling for both rooftop solar and large-scale renewables, but the Clean Energy Regulator also announced that there are enough projects now committed to meet the 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET).

Rapid Payback
Commercial users can better match energy generation with their own demands than households. Payback can be measured, with expectations at 3-4 years, and that is reducing with rising energy prices.

In 2018, renewable energy represented the lowest-cost type of new energy generation that can be built. This not only makes wind and solar an extremely attractive investment, but it also means the unprecedented program of works is expected to reduce power bills by hundreds of dollars every year.

The world’s biggest battery – built after a Twitter conversation between Tesla’s Elon Musk and Australian tech billionaire Mike Cannon-Brookes – is now up and running in South Australia at Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm. It has already proven its worth, responding quickly when the coal-fired Loy Yang power plant tripped and went offline, effortlessly outpacing traditional generators to help stabilise the electricity system.

Renewable Energy… Will it change your business?

In recent years, solar panels installed on homes and businesses and towering wind turbines placed on hilltops have become a common sight. Currently, renewable energy is a highly debated topic in Australia and around the country, especially in the face of global warming, rising energy costs and increased instability of the grid.

Renewable Energy creates more decentralised jobs

From wind and solar farms built where there is an excellent resource, to millions of roof top solar generators, renewable energy is disrupting the traditional way we organise and regulate our power systems.

The key characteristic of renewable energy development is its distributed, decentralised form. Instead of a small number of large generators feeding power through transmission and distribution networks to electricity customers, clean energy generators are located at multiple locations across our states and regions.

The states and territories have responsibility for energy policy and have been the innovators in driving and supporting renewable energy development. Reverse auctions for large-scale renewable energy generation, awarding long-term offtake agreements (contracts for difference) was first implemented by the ACT government and has subsequently been adopted by the Victorian and Queensland governments.

AEMO (Australian Energy Market Operator) in its recently released Integrated System Plan identified that it was those states with legislated renewable energy targets who were capturing the majority of renewable energy development nationally between now and 2025 – Victoria seizing 38% of committed renewable energy development, and Queensland close behind with 33%.

By contrast NSW, with no renewable energy target, but the largest share of NEM demand, saw only 14% of new renewable energy development. Victoria will shortly award contracts for a further 650MW of large-scale renewables, while Queensland is conducting a tender for 400MW.

State governments have also been innovators in relation to storage – just look to South Australia’s Tesla big battery and the ACT’s 5000 site distributed battery project. The Victorian government’s recently announced solar rooftop scheme to provide grant funding and no interest loans for 650,000 Victorian households to install rooftop solar and cut their energy costs is a clear example.

Copper Tape Versus Braid For Better EMC Performance

Did you know that VSD (Variable Speed Drive) cable with copper tape delivers better EMC Electro Magnetic Compatibility) performance than traditional braided cable?

Studies show that 100% coverage metallic shields such as copper tape increases shielding effectiveness compared to copper wire braids particularly at high frequencies, so it is ideal to use in a variety of VSD applications (including manufacturing, tunnels and processing plants), where noise and interference may affect performance of nearby sensitive electrical control and signaling equipment.

Looking at the graph you can see that for flexible cable, it is traditional to use copper braid which decreases in effectiveness over 1.105 Hz. If the application allows, it is possible to make cable with flexible conductor and use copper tape for maximum shield effectiveness.

Glanding 
For best performance of the screen, a gland must be used that connects the screen to ground inside the gland. The gland must connect to the screen around the whole circumference of the shield to provide a low impedance to ground. Ideally the VSD will be housed inside a conductive metallic enclosure that ensures low impedance between the cable screen and the VSD ground point.

What is EMC?
EMC is defined as the ability of an electrical or electronic device or system to function satisfactorily in its electromagnetic environment without introducing intolerable electromagnetic interference (EMI) to anything in that environment. EMC encompasses controls of both unintentional emissions from a range of products that can interfere with radio communications as well as protection of a range of devices that may be susceptible to intentional transmissions. Superior EMC performance for efficient operation of Variable Speed Drives can be achieved with reduced impact on nearby electrical and electronic systems.

Why Varolex® VSD NEW Flexible Cable design?
Varolex® unique design incorporates 100% coverage copper tape screen, symmetrical split earth, increased earth sizes and low capacitance insulation. It delivers superior EMC performance through better transfer impedance and shielding effectiveness.

Improves handling and installation
PVC bedding and Nexans Olex quality manufacturing processes help maintain the circular shape of the cable throughout the entire length for consistent handling. Varolex® VSD Flexibles also incorporate a flexible copper conductor for fast and easy terminating.

Longevity 
High voltage breakdown strength XLPE insulation and PVC best practice sheathing compounds gives you security that Varolex® VSD cables will continue to perform over time.