TORQUE UP

William Winter and Friends

A Podcast for the professional electrical industry, sharing unbiased news, reviews and learning about all aspects of our incredible industry. With guests on from all sides of manufacturing, wholesaling, electricians, apprentices and more. Brought to you from Torque Up Productions in association with Navitas

  1. Xmas Special | Failed SPDs, Missing Protection & Why the MCB Still Matters

    DEC 8

    Xmas Special | Failed SPDs, Missing Protection & Why the MCB Still Matters

    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

    1h 20m
  2. Building PowerShack: How Two Wholesalers Took Over TikTok

    NOV 24

    Building PowerShack: How Two Wholesalers Took Over TikTok

    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: podcast@torqueup.co.uk #TorqueUpPodcast #PowerShack #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #TikTokElectricians #UKConstruction #Navitas ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Intro and sponsor read – Chauvin Arnoux01:00 The long drive from Essex and car crash stories04:00 How Blackwall Electrical Supplies became PowerShack06:00 Family business roots and early wholesaling days08:00 Working with friends and keeping it professional12:00 The politics of the electrical industry16:00 Sales reps, service standards and lost professionalism18:00 Trade mornings and the value of counter staff20:00 Why manufacturers can’t give installation advice23:00 The hidden risk in imported cable25:00 Price pressure and the impact on independents27:00 How PowerShack use social media to stay relevant30:00 Wholesalers choosing visibility over e-commerce32:00 Manufacturers, marketing and TikTok influence34:00 Collaborations between independents37:00 The role of buying groups and joining the EIB39:00 From burnout to building community42:00 Why the EIB feels different from other groups45:00 Is traditional marketing dead47:00 The rise of storytelling and authenticity online49:00 The real ROI of content creation52:00 Building a PowerShack studio and future plans55:00 Final thoughts – having fun while building the brand

    1h 13m
  3. Halloween Special: Burnout, AI and the Future of Wholesalers

    NOV 10

    Halloween Special: Burnout, AI and the Future of Wholesalers

    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: info@navitascp.co.uk #TorqueUpPodcast #Electricians #Wholesalers #ElectricalIndustry #CAUK #TradesTalk #ElectricalLife #AIElectricians #ConstructionUK #Navitas 00:00 Intro and sponsor read01:00 Getting life back on track and managing stress03:00 Jimbo’s Sunday reset routine05:00 The guilt of taking time off07:00 Balancing business, family and content creation10:00 Why everyone feels burnt out12:00 Short form content and the TikTok effect15:00 Buying electrical gear online17:00 Doomscrolling and mental overload18:00 Meta glasses, ChatGPT and the rise of AI21:00 Using AI without losing creativity27:00 DIY disasters and accountability in the trade31:00 Unsafe products and scary shortcuts33:00 Sponsor message – CAUK34:00 What’s really happening with wholesalers36:00 Regional gaps and stalled projects39:00 Inflation, politics and the cost of materials43:00 How independents will be hit hardest49:00 Solar growth and the risk of overtrading52:00 Manufacturers vs wholesalers54:00 Online pricing and the race to the bottom58:00 Final thoughts and wrap up ⏱️ Episode Chapters

    1h 19m
  4. EP 25 | Luke Freeman: Going Solo, Building a Brand & Staying Booked for Months

    NOV 1

    EP 25 | Luke Freeman: Going Solo, Building a Brand & Staying Booked for Months

    Luke Freeman joins Will Winter and Jay to talk about life as a self-employed electrician, how he built Freeman Electrical from scratch, and what it takes to stay booked two months ahead after just one year in business. From early graft and nightmare hotels to navigating apprenticeships and growing a loyal client base, this episode is packed with honesty, laughs, and lessons every electrician can relate to. Luke opens up about his journey, social media strategy, and the mindset that’s helped him turn hard work into opportunity — proving that with drive, consistency, and the right attitude, anything’s possible in this trade. Chauvin Arnoux UK — Industry-leading test and measurement solutions for professionals.🔗 cauk.net Navitas Circuit Protection — Precision-engineered consumer units, RCBOs and SPDs built for professionals.🔗 navitascp.co.uk 🎧 Follow @TorqueUp on Instagram and YouTube📲 instagram.com/torqueup🎥 youtube.com/@TorqueUp ⚡ Sponsored by🧰 Connect with Us

    1h 6m
  5. EP | 24 From Apprentice to Director: Stephen “Compo” Comparetto and the Future of Wholesaling

    OCT 2

    EP | 24 From Apprentice to Director: Stephen “Compo” Comparetto and the Future of Wholesaling

    n this powerful episode of the Torque Up Podcast Will and Jay sit down with Stephen “Compo” Comparetto, director and shareholder at 7 Core Electrical, to pull back the curtain on the world of electrical wholesalers. Compo’s story is one of true grassroots grit. From starting out on the tools to leading a multi million pound independent wholesaler, he shares the highs, the challenges, and the bold decisions that shaped his career including a management buyout (MBO) and a major buying group switch. This conversation goes beyond business. We explore:🟢 The real role wholesalers play in supporting electricians every day⚫️ How buying groups influence the trade and why changes matter🟢 The risks and rewards of going through an MBO⚫️ The pressures politics and economics place on the wholesale sector🟢 What it takes to rise from apprentice to director in the UK electrical industry If you are an electrician, wholesaler, or anyone connected to the trade, this episode gives you the insider view you will not hear anywhere else. 👉 Sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK, experts in test and measurement solutions trusted worldwide. Subscribe now and do not miss this deep dive into the business and politics of UK electrical wholesaling. #TorqueUpPodcast #NavitasCP #7CoreElectrical #ElectricalWholesaler #ElectricianLife #AllAboutPower

    1h 28m
  6. EP | 23 BIG BRANDS ARE LYING TO YOU | SPDs, BS 7671 & The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know

    SEP 10

    EP | 23 BIG BRANDS ARE LYING TO YOU | SPDs, BS 7671 & The Truth They Don’t Want You to Know

    BIG BRANDS ARE LYING TO YOU | SPDs, BS 7671 & The Truth They Do Not Want You To Know 🎙️ Torque Up Podcast | Episode 23 | With Kirsty Johnson Big brands are controlling the industry and installers are paying the price.In this explosive episode, we sit down with Kirsty Johnson, Technical Director at Surge Protection Devices Ltd and member of the JPEL committee, to reveal what is really happening behind the scenes of BS 7671, SPDs and product marketing. If you are an electrician, contractor, wholesaler or trainer, this episode will change the way you think about the industry. 🟢 The hidden politics shaping BS 7671 and JPEL decisions⚫ The truth about SPDs and why busbar fed installs can be unsafe🟢 How big brands influence installers and wholesalers through marketing⚫ The conflict between best practice, safety and commercial agendas🟢 Why RCBOs are changing the way we protect circuits⚫ How electricians can protect themselves and their customers 🎥 Watch on YouTube → https://youtube.com/@TorqueUp🎧 Listen on Spotify → https://spotify.com/TorqueUp🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/TorqueUp What You Will Learn In This EpisodeListen To More Episodes

    1h 10m
  7. EP | 22 Government failure to protect electrical apprenticeships

    AUG 20

    EP | 22 Government failure to protect electrical apprenticeships

    In this episode of the Torque Up Podcast we sit down with Mitch, aka Bright Spark from the Midlands, to talk about one of the biggest challenges facing the trade today – the government’s failure to protect electrical apprenticeships. We discuss the impact of rising costs, why apprentices are at risk of being priced out of the industry, and what this means for the next generation of sparks. Mitch also shares real site stories, the struggles of running a business, and how social media is changing the game for electricians. ⚡ Sponsored by Chauvin Arnoux UK – test and measurement instruments trusted by professionals. 00:00 – Welcome to Season 3 01:40 – Meet Mitch aka Bright Spark 04:50 – Social media and the trade 10:10 – Tesla chargers and PEN protection 16:20 – Running your own business as a spark 31:30 – Apprenticeships: then vs now 40:00 – Why government policy is failing apprentices 44:40 – Rising costs and National Insurance impact 50:00 – Will weekend courses replace apprenticeships?

    1h 38m
  8. EP | 21 AI and the Trade, TAX and NI and more!

    JUL 25

    EP | 21 AI and the Trade, TAX and NI and more!

    This is it. The final episode of Season 2 and it's the one that could change everything.In Episode 21 of the Torque Up Podcast, host William Winter is joined by John Bagley and James Watkins for one of our deepest and most thought-provoking conversations yet.We dive headfirst into the world of AI and the trades, asking the big questions no one else is daring to tackle:🧠 What does artificial intelligence mean for the future of electricians, wholesalers, and manufacturers?🔧 How can tradespeople use AI to grow their businesses, save time, and stay ahead of the curve?📉 Will it disrupt or empower the next generation of apprentices and skilled labour?💷 And what about tax, national insurance, and the rising pressure on small business owners?This episode explores the real world impacts of technology, government policy, and cultural shifts on the trades and why the electrical industry cannot afford to ignore them. We talk openly about the future of apprenticeships, the cost of doing business, and how policy decisions are shaping the lives of young people entering the trade.Whether you are on the tools, managing a wholesaler, or leading a brand, this is the episode you cannot afford to miss.🔥 Available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts🎧 Listen on the go or watch the full video here on YouTube💻 Learn more at www.torqueup.co.uk💥 Proudly sponsored by Wiha UK (@WihaUK)One of the world’s leading names in precision tools for professionals in the trade.📍Do not forget to like, subscribe, and hit the bell so you do not miss Season 3. Bigger guests, bigger topics, and even more truth from the heart of the electrical industry.#TorqueUpPodcast #ElectriciansUK #AIintheTrades #SmallBusinessUK #TradeTalk #ElectricalIndustry #WihaTools #NationalInsurance #Apprenticeships #TalkUp #torqueuppodcast

    1h 16m
See All (29)

About

A Podcast for the professional electrical industry, sharing unbiased news, reviews and learning about all aspects of our incredible industry. With guests on from all sides of manufacturing, wholesaling, electricians, apprentices and more. Brought to you from Torque Up Productions in association with Navitas

Information

  • Creator
    William Winter and Friends
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2025
  • Episodes
    29
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © William Winter and Friends
  • Show Website
    TORQUE UP

You Might Also Like