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The future of residential building electrical installations

Arran Cameron
This is a spin-off from the discussion What is the best way to wire ceiling lights.


What do you think is the future of residential building electrical installations in 20 to 30 years time? Will they in modern and modernised houses be significantly different from what they are today or will they most likely be barely changed from what they are today?


Will consumer demand be a driving force for change or will electricians only make changes from the status quo in order to comply with updated wiring regs?
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    USB sockets (or their successor) to replace the large number of plug-in PSUs and chargers currently in use in most homes.


    BUT, whilst the wall warts could be switched off (really?) there is a permanent parasitic load on the integral ones. I did ask an "old established" manufacturer at Elex what the parasitic load is on their new double socket-outlet and the guy was going to get back to me. Oddly enough, I haven't had a reply..... Can't think why.......


    Regards


    BOD
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    1 to 2 watts per socket is typical, and on some models  with a rather odd current waveform, as unloaded they go into a burst mode, where the switcher shuts off when the reservoir capacitor is above some voltage, and then restart at some lower value. Gives a very characteristic pulsed 'squegging' noise on the radio. And that is another disadvantage - meeting the bare minimum level for interference generation to meet CE marking is nothing like good enough if you wish to receive radio signals nearby. A plug in charger that causes interference can at least be unplugged.
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    Arran Cameron:

    USB sockets (or their successor) to replace the large number of plug-in PSUs and chargers currently in use in most homes.




    Isn’t more likely the there will be Power over Ethernet (POE) being installed by people who are not qualified electricians to supply, connect and control equipment.


    Andy Betteridge 

  • 0

    mapj1:

    1 to 2 watts per socket is typical, and on some models  with a rather odd current waveform, as unloaded they go into a burst mode, where the switcher shuts off when the reservoir capacitor is above some voltage, and then restart at some lower value. Gives a very characteristic pulsed 'squegging' noise on the radio. And that is another disadvantage - meeting the bare minimum level for interference generation to meet CE marking is nothing like good enough if you wish to receive radio signals nearby. A plug in charger that causes interference can at least be unplugged.




    There are different versions of USB sockets on the market and they are still being developed. Some can be switched off when not in use but others are permanently connected and they place a continuous parasitic load on the mains supply which is something that I find cause for concern. Has anybody investigated the impact of a continuous power drain on the network caused by USB sockets that are not being used - assuming that every home has an average of 10 of these sockets?


    All SMPS place a strange load on the mains supply and are potential sources of EMI. I'm concerned that the small size and lack of shielding of USB sockets potentially exacerbates EMI.



     

  • 0
    Permanently-on USB sockets built into BS1363 socket outlets also: make IR testing harder; are likely to be poorly manufactured, so you've suddenly got a lot of extra electronics permanently on that are likely to go up in smoke at some point; and will become quickly obsolete when USB X.0 or USB-D or whatever comes out.


    I would never have them in my house.
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    The interference levels across medium and short wave radio has gone up a huge amount over the last 10 years or so broadband over copper fone lines is a major source and all those SMPSUs definitely contribute an awful lot of noise too. Although we can do nothing about existing units could the IET maybe recommend that theseUSB sockets have a way to shut down the PSU when the the lead is unplugged from it? Speaking with my ham radio hat on this would be a real step forward in helping to reduce the average noise level.
  • 0

    USB sockets have a way to shut down the PSU when the the lead is unplugged from it?



    I thought MK had a USB socket that did exactly that (perhaps the modular version to be clipped into Euro frontplates rather than incorporated into a 13A socket) - so the technology is certainly there. Would be popular with electricians too, since it doesn't mess up insulation tests.


      - Andy.
  • Former Community Member
    0 Former Community Member
    I thought MK had a USB socket that did exactly that (perhaps the modular version to be clipped into Euro frontplates rather than incorporated into a 13A socket) - so the technology is certainly there. Would be popular with electricians too, since it doesn't mess up insulation tests.


    When you find out the price of the modular one that does switch off, you'll see why people go for the two for £15 offer for two double socket-outlets at Nailfix etc.......


    Regards


    BOD
  • 0

    wallywombat:

    Permanently-on USB sockets built into BS1363 socket outlets also: make IR testing harder; are likely to be poorly manufactured, so you've suddenly got a lot of extra electronics permanently on that are likely to go up in smoke at some point; and will become quickly obsolete when USB X.0 or USB-D or whatever comes out.


    I would never have them in my house.




    I am dubious of the USB sockets built into BS1363 sockets, especially the made in China cheaper brands.You make a valid point about how they can mess up IR testing as there is no easy way to isolate them. Nevertheless they are increasing in popularity but time will tell how they fare in the longer term.




    AJJewsbury:


    I thought MK had a USB socket that did exactly that (perhaps the modular version to be clipped into Euro frontplates rather than incorporated into a 13A socket) - so the technology is certainly there. Would be popular with electricians too, since it doesn't mess up insulation tests.


      - Andy.

     



    I prefer the modules because they can be more easily isolated with a switch than the USB sockets built into BS1363 sockets. However, they cost considerably more and are less convenient to install because either you lose a socket or you have to install another backbox in the wall for them.

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