Abbreviation ECA Type Trade association | Formation 1901 Headquarters Lincoln House | |
Legal status Non-profit company (No. 00143669) Purpose Electrical contractors in England, Northern Ireland and Wales | ||
The Electrical Contractors' Association (ECA) is the main trade association for contractors involved in electrical engineering projects in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. In 2016, it had some 2800 registered members - companies who collectively employed around 100,000 UK workers and generated annual revenues of over £6 billion (the UK electrical contracting industry is worth in excess of £10 billion). The ECA is currently either leading or active across various building services technical and training issues, and in particular those relating to electrical engineering, in both the domestic and commercial sectors.
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History
Founded in 1901, the ECA represents contractors who design, install, inspect, test and maintain electrical and electronic equipment and services. It was incorporated on 19 April 1916.
Electricity industry improvements
The ECA played a particularly important part in the 1920s and 1930s when electric power was introduced to most houses. Before this time, and the formation of the National Grid, electricity was supplied at different voltages and frequencies.
Today, the ECA actively represents the electrical and electronic contracting sectors, taking a leading role in both technical standards (notably BS 7671) and professional competencies in both the domestic and commercial sectors.
The Fire and Security Association is linked strongly to the ECA and the ECA's Scottish counterpart, SELECT.
ECA recent finances
Although, for a trade association, the current financial position of the ECA is relatively strong, in November 2012, it was reported to have lost £26m through a "disastrous investment" in the Lloyd’s insurance market, which required it to accelerate its plan to cut costs and restructure its operations.
Functions
The ECA has three main aims:
It represents the views of specialist electrical and other engineering contractors within contractor group Build UK and via the Specialist Engineering Contractors' Group. It holds a range of Electrical Industry Conferences and other events, and the ECA Edmundson Apprentice of the Year and Adult Trainee of the Year Awards annually.
Publications
It produces the ECA Today magazine every quarter.
The Managing Editor is Paul Reeve, ECA Director of External Affairs.
In addition to free material for its members, the ECA also provides free checklists for commercial clients on selected topics, such as Energy Solutions.
Location
The ECA head office is in Hammersmith, West London.