TORQUE UP

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

Steve and Frank from PowerShack join Will and Jay for one of the most entertaining episodes yet.
From running a small Essex wholesaler to becoming viral TikTok stars, the lads from Blackwall Electrical Supplies talk openly about business, burnout, buying groups and the power of social media in the electrical trade.
🟢 How PowerShack built a following by mixing humour with hard graft
⚫️ Why old school wholesaling is changing faster than anyone expected
🟢 What manufacturers and contractors can learn from social media
⚫️ Why buying groups like the EIB are changing the game for independents
It’s real talk from the trade’s new generation of wholesalers who aren’t afraid to mix banter with business.
🎙 Hosted by Will Winter and Jay Whyte
🎧 Sponsored by C A U K – trusted test and measurement solutions built for professionals
📩 Sponsorship and guest enquiries: [email protected]
#TorqueUpPodcast #PowerShack #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #TikTokElectricians #UKConstruction #Navitas

⏱️ Chapters
00:00 Intro and sponsor read – Chauvin Arnoux
01:00 The long drive from Essex and car crash stories
04:00 How Blackwall Electrical Supplies became PowerShack
06:00 Family business roots and early wholesaling days
08:00 Working with friends and keeping it professional
12:00 The politics of the electrical industry
16:00 Sales reps, service standards and lost professionalism
18:00 Trade mornings and the value of counter staff
20:00 Why manufacturers can’t give installation advice
23:00 The hidden risk in imported cable
25:00 Price pressure and the impact on independents
27:00 How PowerShack use social media to stay relevant
30:00 Wholesalers choosing visibility over e-commerce
32:00 Manufacturers, marketing and TikTok influence
34:00 Collaborations between independents
37:00 The role of buying groups and joining the EIB
39:00 From burnout to building community
42:00 Why the EIB feels different from other groups
45:00 Is traditional marketing dead
47:00 The rise of storytelling and authenticity online
49:00 The real ROI of content creation
52:00 Building a PowerShack studio and future plans
55:00 Final thoughts – having fun while building the brand

t’s the Halloween Special of the Torque Up Podcast and this one hits close to home.
Will, Jay and Jimbo sit down for an unfiltered talk about what’s really haunting the trade. From burnout and stress to AI, TikTok and the future of UK wholesalers – this episode dives deep into the issues every electrician, manufacturer and wholesaler is facing right now.
🟢 Are we all just working too hard for too little
⚫️ Can AI really help the trade or will it replace it
🟢 What happens to wholesalers if the new budget fails
⚫️ Why cutting corners and chasing price is the real horror story
Plug in and power up with the Torque Up crew.
Sponsored by CAUK – trusted test and measurement solutions built for professionals.
🎙 Hosted by Will Winter, Jay Whyte and Jimbo Chapman
📩 For sponsorship or guest enquiries: [email protected]
#TorqueUpPodcast #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #AIElectricians #ConstructionUK #Navitas
00:00 Intro and sponsor read
01:00 Getting life back on track and managing stress
03:00 Jimbo’s Sunday reset routine
05:00 The guilt of taking time off
07:00 Balancing business, family and content creation
10:00 Why everyone feels burnt out
12:00 Short form content and the TikTok effect
15:00 Buying electrical gear online
17:00 Doomscrolling and mental overload
18:00 Meta glasses, ChatGPT and the rise of AI
21:00 Using AI without losing creativity
27:00 DIY disasters and accountability in the trade
31:00 Unsafe products and scary shortcuts
33:00 Sponsor message – CAUK
34:00 What’s really happening with wholesalers
36:00 Regional gaps and stalled projects
39:00 Inflation, politics and the cost of materials
43:00 How independents will be hit hardest
49:00 Solar growth and the risk of overtrading
52:00 Manufacturers vs wholesalers
54:00 Online pricing and the race to the bottom
58:00 Final thoughts and wrap up
⏱️ Episode Chapters