TORQUE UP

EV charger qualifications are causing confusion, and the cost of running an electrical business keeps climbing.

Will, Jay and Jimbo get into the UK electrical trade’s biggest talking points: self-employment versus a regular wage, the 39% import VAT valuation adjustment discussion, and whether hiring an apprentice makes sense when every hour counts.

Navitas Black Edition consumer units, wholesaler loyalty, EICRs, social media standards and Bacon & Regs all make an appearance in this Halloween special of Torque Up Podcast.

JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Would you still go self-employed as an electrician today? And would you change wholesaler if they wouldn’t stock your preferred brand?

Leave your thoughts in the comments, and send us your best site insults for a future episode.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Halloween and Torque Up’s beginnings
02:11 Jay’s 5,000-mile Navitas tour
05:43 Contractor feedback and consumer units
07:54 Navitas Black Edition consumer units
10:28 EV vans and running costs
12:29 Import VAT: the 39% discussion
14:22 Fuel, wages and employment costs
16:52 Understanding your real business costs
17:33 Apprentices or subcontractors?
19:14 The commitment of training staff
24:24 Self-employed vs employed
27:20 Careers, pay and progression
32:38 Would you start a business now?
35:55 Bacon & Regs begins
36:42 EV charger qualifications
40:07 EV training vs competence
43:31 Wholesalers and brand loyalty
45:21 Social media and electrical standards
48:47 EICRs and marketing claims
50:20 Overrated tools and workplace excuses
52:26 What makes a good apprentice?
55:58 Apprentices and generational change
59:49 The bacon and sauce debate
01:00:48 This month’s best site insult
01:01:48 Halloween sign-off

Follow Torque Up on Spotify for more honest conversations about the electrical industry, running a business and life in the trade.

On the microphones: William Winter (Will), Junii Whyte (Jay) and Jimbo.

Guests and sponsorship enquiries: [email protected]

Remember: the joy is in the journey.

Torque Up is back for Season 4 — and we're starting with Owen from OM Electrical.

Owen has become one of the biggest electrician personalities on TikTok and social media, while still building and running his own electrical business.

So what's actually happening behind the videos?

We talk about going self-employed, building a personal brand, turning social media into real electrical work, dealing with trolls, brand deals, bringing family into the business and the reality of trying to be an electrician, business owner and content creator at the same time.

Then we get into growth.

When do you make your first hire? Apprentice or qualified electrician? How do you let somebody else take responsibility for work when you've spent years controlling everything yourself? And does being self-employed actually give you freedom — or just a different kind of pressure?

Will and Jay also get into some of the lessons behind building Navitas from a garage into a national electrical brand, before celebrating being named South Wales Business Champion 2026.

And because apparently that wasn't enough for one episode, Season 4 also introduces:

🥓⚡ BACON & REGS

Quick-fire questions, questionable opinions, things electricians claim are "in the regs", the perfect bacon sandwich and some absolutely brutal site insults.

We finish by getting into the bigger issues facing the UK electrical industry: the AM2 debate and experienced electricians proving competence, industry standards, apprenticeships, consumer units, electrical manufacturing, price pressure, product quality and whether genuine innovation is being squeezed out of the market.

In this episode:

00:00 – Season 4 begins
04:38 – Owen from OM Electrical
07:34 – Electrical work vs social media
21:03 – Can TikTok actually generate electrical work?
30:27 – Instagram vs TikTok
33:28 – The truth about going self-employed
39:16 – Growing beyond a one-man band
45:16 – Hiring and building a team
53:13 – Apprentice vs qualified electrician
57:08 – South Wales Business Champion
1:04:56 – Bacon & Regs
1:12:27 – The best site insults
1:17:07 – The AM2 debate
1:26:07 – Are electrical industry standards improving?
1:28:46 – Manufacturing, price and product quality
1:38:13 – Outro

Torque Up — unfiltered conversations about electrical work, business, products, social media and the people actually working inside the UK electrical industry.

⚠️ Contains strong language. Obviously.

In the Season Three finale of Torque Up, Jimbo shares the reality of his first three months working entirely for himself.

We discuss the pressure of building an electrical business, finding consistent work, managing cash flow, keeping up with administration and knowing when it is time to employ someone. Jimbo also opens up about the personal cost, including the loss of routine, difficulty switching off and the impact on his physical and mental health.

The conversation also covers new expectations around pre work assessments, whether electricians may need to start charging for quotations, changes to Further Investigation codes on EICRs, the quality of landlord electrical reports and whether the industry needs better monitoring.

Plus, William shares the latest developments from Navitas, including the growth of its three phase range and the thinking behind its new single phase consumer units.

A frank conversation about electrical contracting, self employment and what it really takes to build something of your own.

Torque Up returns with Season Four in September.

After a busy few months, the boys are finally back around the table together.

Jay shares the story behind a serious health scare that resulted in 11 days in hospital, multiple operations and a long road to recovery ahead.

Jimbo talks about finally making the jump into self employment and launching South Power Group, including the challenges of finding work, managing finances and adapting to life without the security of a guaranteed wage.

The conversation also covers the launch of the Navitas Three Phase range in Northern Ireland, the release of Navitas Energy and some honest discussion about business growth, risk, comfort zones and the realities of building something for yourself.

If you've ever thought about going self employed, starting a business or pushing yourself outside your comfort zone, this episode is packed with real world experiences from people living it every day.

Season 3 is proudly sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK.

What’s actually going wrong in the electrical industry right now?

In this episode of the Torque Up Podcast, we sit down with Dave Savory to break down the real issues affecting electricians across the UK.

From competent person schemes and industry standards to social media, content creation, and the future of the trade… nothing is off limits.

This is a raw and honest conversation about what’s really happening behind the scenes in the trade.

If you’re an electrician, contractor, or part of the construction industry… this one will hit home.

WHAT WE COVER

🟢 Competent person schemes and whether they actually work
⚫ Why many electricians feel undervalued
🟢 Routes into the trade and where they’re falling short
⚫ The reality of industry standards and accountability
🟢 Social media, content, and influence in the trade
⚫ What needs to change moving forward

🎙️ ABOUT TORQUE UP

Torque Up Podcast brings real conversations from inside the electrical industry.
No scripts. No filters. Just honest discussions with the people shaping the trade.

⚖️ DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guests and are shared for general discussion purposes only. They do not constitute professional, legal, or technical advice.

Neutral conductors running hotter than the phase conductors.

It sounds backwards. But electricians across the industry are starting to see it happen more and more.

In Episode 32 of Torque Up, we sit down with the team from Chauvin Arnoux UK (CA UK) to break down what is really happening inside modern electrical installations.

With the rise of LED lighting, EV chargers, solar systems, variable speed drives and electronic loads, the electrical systems we work on today behave very differently to the resistive systems they were originally designed for.

Harmonics, non linear loads and DC electronics are changing the way current flows through installations. In some cases this is leading to neutral conductors carrying more current than the phases, overheating cables and creating real risks if the issue goes unnoticed.

In this episode we discuss:

🟢 Why neutral conductors are overheating in modern installations
🟢 How harmonics from modern electronics are affecting electrical systems
🟢 EV chargers shutting down when voltage reaches 253V
🟢 The growing importance of power quality measurement
🟢 How electricians can protect themselves with data logging and testing
🟢 Where electrification and AI may take the industry next

This is a deep dive into the real technical challenges electricians are starting to face as electrical systems evolve.

If you are an electrician, engineer, or anyone working in the electrical industry, this episode will give you a new perspective on what is happening inside the systems we install and maintain every day.

What does it really take to scale an electrical business?

In this episode of Torque Up, we sit down with Declan from DEC ELEC who built his company from a one man operation to a 22 man team in just six years.

No fluff. No fake hype.

We break down:

• The 16 hour shifts at the start
• When growth nearly broke him
• Hiring his partner to systemise the business
• Why tracking, structure and process are everything
• Winning council and housing association contracts
• The difference between turnover and profit
• Doubling revenue year after year
• Stepping off the tools and becoming a true business owner
• Investing in coaching and personal growth

If you are an electrician thinking about scaling, this episode will change how you see your business.

Sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK

In Episode 30 of the Torque Up Podcast, hosts William and Junii are joined by Charles, founder of Trade Cert, for an in depth conversation on Artificial Intelligence in the electrical industry.

AI is everywhere right now, but most conversations stop at fear or hype. This episode goes further.

We break down how AI is already being used in electrical certification, inspection reporting, EICRs, and admin heavy tasks, while addressing the biggest concern electricians have job security.

Charles explains why AI is excellent at repetitive, low skill admin but fundamentally incapable of replacing professional judgement, site based decision making, or responsibility under sign off. We also explore why trades are uniquely protected compared to office based roles, and how electricians can use AI to become more efficient without losing control or credibility.

This is a practical, honest discussion for electricians, contractors, supervisors, and business owners who want to understand AI without being sold fear or fantasy.

• AI in electrical certification and reporting
• Reducing EICR paperwork without risk
• Why AI cannot replace electricians
• The difference between automation and intelligence
• AGI explained in plain English
• Professional responsibility and liability
• Using AI as a second set of eyes
• The future of the trades in an AI world

If you work in the electrical industry and want clarity on AI, this episode is essential listening.

Topics covered in this episode

00:00 Episode introduction
02:10 What Trade Cert is and why it exists
05:45 Rapid growth and market demand
08:30 AI and electrical certification explained
12:40 UX and why usability matters
16:20 Service, trust and human support
19:10 Fear of AI replacing electricians
24:00 Why judgement cannot be automated
28:30 AGI explained simply
33:10 Liability and responsibility
38:20 AI as a second set of eyes
42:30 How electricians should use AI
46:10 Admin reduction without skill loss
49:30 The future of AI in trades
52:00 Final thoughts

🎯 Sponsor Credit

This episode is proudly sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK

Professional electrical test and measurement equipment trusted across the industry.
Visit https://cauk.net/

#TorqueUpPodcast
#Electricians
#ElectricalIndustry
#AIInTrades
#TradeTechnology

Welcome to Episode 29 of the Torque Up Podcast, our New Year episode focused on what 2026 really looks like for electricians and trade business owners.

In this episode, Will and Junii are joined by Joe from Jake Electrical for a candid, no nonsense conversation about running an electrical business in the real world.

We talk openly about New Year resolutions that actually matter, the pressure of balancing work, family, admin, and growth, and why so many electricians feel stretched despite being busy.

Joe shares his journey through apprenticeship, going self employed, and the realities of pricing jobs, managing paperwork, using AI tools, and building systems that save time instead of creating more stress.

The conversation also dives into apprenticeships and why the system is broken, the real cost to small electrical businesses, and why good apprentices are becoming harder to find.

We then zoom out to discuss social media, influencer marketing, trade shows, wholesalers, and manufacturers, questioning what genuinely delivers value to installers and what no longer works.

This episode finishes with a future focused discussion on industry consolidation, large energy companies, digital platforms, and how electricians can protect their independence while building sustainable businesses into 2026 and beyond.

If you are an electrician, contractor, apprentice, wholesaler, or manufacturer, this episode will hit home.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK, trusted specialists in professional test and measurement equipment for electricians.

00:00 – Welcome back and New Year reflections
Introducing Episode 29 and setting the tone for 2026.

03:30 – New Year resolutions that actually matter
Why mindset, time, and presence matter more than goals on paper.

07:45 – Running a trade business vs being good on the tools
Why admin and systems catch most electricians out.

12:30 – Using AI, software, and tools the right way
How electricians are saving time without losing control.

17:40 – Social media for electricians: what really works
Separating genuine value from paid promotion.

23:10 – Apprenticeships and why the system is failing
The real cost to small businesses and why good apprentices are rare.

30:20 – Work ethic, earning your stripes, and learning on site
Why hands on experience still matters more than shortcuts.

35:45 – Trade shows: worth it or outdated
Installer perspective on value, networking, and returns.

42:30 – Manufacturers, wholesalers, and installer trust
How new products actually reach electricians.

48:10 – The future of the electrical industry
AI, big energy companies, and the risk of consolidation.

54:40 – How electricians protect independence in 2026
Practical advice for future proofing your business.

58:30 – Final thoughts and takeaways
What electricians should really focus on this year.

It’s the third Torque Up festive special, but this year the tinsel takes a back seat and the lads go deep on the technical question hitting installs up and down the country:

Can a Type 2 SPD rely on an upstream service fuse for overcurrent protection, or must it have a dedicated protective device within the installer’s control?

The sparks’ sentiment in the room is clear:
manufacturer thermal ratings are part of the product design, but they do not guarantee compliance under BS 7671 if there is no dedicated, testable, local overcurrent protective device protecting the SPD as part of the installation.

What you’ll take from this episode:

● A thermal disconnection flag is a failsafe, not overcurrent protection
● The upstream DNO fuse is not dedicated to the SPD circuit, and has unknown characteristics for selectivity and verification
● Install design must meet the literal minimums of BS 7671 installers can verify and test
● Why Navitas kept the 32A MCB in their SPD consumer unit design when others removed it
● The wider industry frustration: installs previously passed are now being flagged for missing protection
● Why electricians care more about predictable disconnection than tidy ratings claims

This episode is educational trade discussion and reflects installer opinion and public regulatory interpretation conversations only. Nothing stated alleges wrongdoing by any person, brand, or organisation, nor constitutes legal or professional instruction. Always consult BS 7671:2018+A2:2022 and the Building Regulations when determining compliant protective device requirements.

Season long sponsor: Chauvin Arnoux

00:00 Xmas Special Intro

02:45 The SPD failure story

08:30 Thermal disconnector vs overcurrent protection

14:10 The upstream fuse problem explained

20:20 Manufacturer claims vs installer verification

27:40 Why inspectors flag missing OCPD

35:15 Navitas testing and product design decisions

41:55 Installer community frustrations

48:30 Who carries the risk when interpretation shifts

53:20 What installers should actually verify

59:10 Big industry question posed back to sparks

1:03:45 Xmas chaos interlude

1:05:44 CSPs and clearer communication chat

1:12:31 Worst Xmas crackers and gifts

1:14:34 Compliance psychology returns

1:18:46 Signing off for the year, looking ahead