As the electrical industry gains a greater understanding of heat pump installations and the safety requirements involved, we put the questions to Mark Kimberley, Residential Market Manager at Hager UK, to find out how and why the brand is aiming to lead the education drive.
Q. You’ve recently started a significant awareness programme around the correct use of Type B RCDs in heat pump installations. What is the key message you’re trying to drive home?
The key message here is simple: safety and compliance matter. Many heat pump installations generate high-frequency leakage currents that standard RCDs are simply not designed to handle.
Our new Type B HP RCCB ensures the correct level of protection by operating at frequencies above 20 kHz, preventing nuisance tripping while maintaining full safety compliance.
We want to ensure installers understand the risks of using incorrect devices and have the right solution for the job.
Q. How do you see the growth opportunities in the adoption/installation of heat pumps and why is it so important for electrical installers to be armed with the right information and the correct products?
The UK’s transition to low-carbon heating is creating a huge demand for heat pumps, with government incentives and sustainability goals driving adoption. As installations increase, so does the need for robust electrical protection.
It’s vital that installers are equipped with the right knowledge and products to ensure safety, reliability, and compliance.
Using the wrong RCD type can lead to improper fault detection or nuisance tripping, both of which can cause significant issues for homeowners and businesses alike.
Q. Have you been working with any prominent heat pump brands in the development of your own solutions? How has this been helpful to you?
Yes, we’ve collaborated with some of the leading heat pump manufacturers during the development of our Type B HP RCCB. Working with them has given us valuable insights into the real-world electrical characteristics of heat pumps, particularly around high- frequency leakage currents. This collaboration has helped us refine our product to meet the specific demands of modern installations, ensuring it provides effective and reliable protection.
Q. What sort of supporting materials and training will be on offer for both installers and wholesalers?
We’re committed to supporting the industry with comprehensive training and resources. This includes CPD-accredited training sessions, technical guides, installation best practices, and online webinars.
We’re also producing detailed product literature and working closely with wholesalers to provide in-branch training and demonstrations.
Our goal is to ensure that everyone involved in specifying and installing heat pumps has the knowledge and confidence to select the right RCDs for the job.
Q. How do you plan to further raise awareness of this important industry message throughout the year?
Our awareness campaign will continue through industry events, trade publications, and direct engagement with installers and wholesalers.
We’ll be hosting training sessions, featuring in trade magazines, and leveraging digital channels, including SM and webinars, to educate the industry.
Additionally, we’ll work with regulatory bodies and associations to reinforce best practices and ensure that guidance around RCD selection for heat pumps is clear and widely understood.
For installers who are keen to be educated further, we’ve also produced a handy bite-sized guide, which is free to download. It provides all the essential details on the Hager B-HP protection device for heat pumps in one easy-to-read guide.
Download Hager’s bite-sized guide to RCDs for heat pumps here
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