EA Technology originated in 1966 as the UK Electricity Council’s Research and Development Centre, which pioneered many of the innovations that have enabled the development of modern power systems worldwide.

We restructured as an independent commercial enterprise in 1990 and became 100% owned by our staff in 2004.

Since 2004, our strategy of innovation, investment and international development has enabled us to:

Create market-leading new products and services
Expanded our network of international offices and distributors
With customers in 90 countries

EA Technology timeline

Many of the innovations that EA Technology has pioneered since 1966 have formed the foundation of the modern electricity industry, making networks more efficient, reliable and safer, helping consumers in their everyday lives and working to protect the planet for future generations.

State-Owned Industry R&D body (1966-1990)

EA Technology’s origin was as the Electricity Council Research Centre (ECRC), set up in 1966 as part of the UK’s then state-owned electricity system. Effectively a grant funded entity, ECRC’s role was to investigate new ways for people to use electricity and better ways for it to be distributed to customers.

Key events in this period include:

1969: ECRC invents Feolite for storage radiators
1972: EC and Chloride joint company to develop ECRC sodium sulphur battery
1974: Halogen hob invented
1980: Developed high temperature heat pump for drying timber and distilling whisky
1983: Identification techniques for Transient Earth Voltage (TEV) developed
1985: Lightning location system invented
1990: Privatisation of the UK electricity industry - new company name established

Transition (1990-2004)

When the UK electricity was privatised in 1990, EA Technology ‘spun out’ of national ownership to become an independent organisation. The funding from the network operators and energy suppliers was progressively ramped-down, and EA Technology made the transition to a commercial entity.

Key events in this period include:

1991: Became EA Technology (part of Electricity Association)
1993: EA Technology privatised, owned principally by the directors of the company

EA Technology (2004 – present)In 2004 EA Technology shares were re-distributed and we re-launched as an employee-owned organisation, focusing on sustainable, long-term, growth.

Key events to date include:

2004: Company restructured to spread ownership of shares among staff
2004: Launched first UltraTEV product
2004: Launched first version of Condition Based Risk Management (CBRM)
2007: Queen`s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2007 - Britain`s top industrial honour - awarded for the groundbreaking UltraTEV Detector™
2008: Opened office in Shanghai, serving China
2008: Opened office in Abu Dhabi, serving Middle East
2009: Opened subsidiary in Brisbane, serving Australia and New Zealand
2010: Acquired USA subsidiary
2011: Opened subsidiary in Singapore, serving South East Asia
2011: Queen`s Award for Enterprise: Innovation 2011 `for continuous innovation over five years`, covering the development and success of EA Technology`s whole family of UltraTEV products
2013: Launched important new products – PD Hawk™ and CableData Collector™
2014: Markets expand to customers in 90 countries

UltraTEV Plus - Partial Discharge (PD) Detector Brochure