The difference between thee and me!

As ever, I read last month's Security Installer with great interest, not only the news about the industry, but the letters that are published, especially those that pick up on all the points that have been misquoted, given the wrong interpretations etc – and that includes, as always, dear Mike's column.

In your Mailbox page (in reference to 'earth wires') we have the classic case of installers still quoting the 16th Edition.

Is the letter writer not aware that we now depend upon BS 7671 for true definitions, plus (as in all standards, relevant Codes of Practice, DDs etc) another document or two that goes hand in hand with the publication in question? Do look at the 'Electricity at Work Regulations' when making reference to other electrical documentation.

Still, the letter writer did beat me in picking up on Mike Lynskey's mistakes when it comes to electrical contracting.

Good old Mike and his his practical Yorkshire way ... If he was describing the daily activities of the lady next door he'd write: "Today my neighbour had all her teeth out and a new gas oven put in".

On the other hand, I, as a qualified technical writer and illustrator, would state: "She had during the day visited the dentist to have her teeth removed and then hurried home to await the Gas Board for the delivery and installation of her new gas cooker."

It's all part of training and using technically relevant terms and definitions.

Your letter writer states that he was born in 1966 ... I'm glad to say I have some 36 years more experience than he has and, as a consultant and lecturer, I always research and try to keep up with tomorrow's technology which, as we know, was yesterday's hiccups!

Happy New Year to all readers of this stalwart technical publication. I hope to see some of you at ACT's training courses ... including Mike.