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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?
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    Arran Cameron:

    The problem with complex tariffs is that they become too confusing and difficult for most customers to understand - and utilise to their advantage with correctly configured timers and controllers.




    The new Zigbee enabled appliances and controllers will work alongside your smart meter to use the multiple tariffs to your advantage.


    Andy Betteridge 

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    Denis McMahon:




    MHRestorations:



    . . .

    We have recently installed a couple of induction hobs that only required a 13A socket (they came complete with a plug ended flex and state a demand of 2.9kw.


    . . .

     




     

    It sounds like a good idea to have a hob that is portable and can be used in various parts of the kitchen - or house even. It shows that innovations can yield advantages beyond their original purpose. It would not be easy to have a portable gas hob and even with electric cooking, the idea that the hob and oven should be combined in one unit requiring a massive power connection persists.

     




    The place for a cooking hob is bolted down into the work surface in the kitchen with adequate ventilation.


    People trying to cook in bedrooms in HMOs or for that matter homeowners or tenants trying to cook in any room other than the kitchen is a major safety issue and detrimental to health.


    Andy Betteridge 

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    Sparkingchip:



    The new Zigbee enabled appliances and controllers will work alongside your smart meter to use the multiple tariffs to your advantage.


    You have to tread carefully with this one. It's no good if your smart meter sends out a control signal that prevents you from switching on a ceiling light (or the kettle!!) because the cost of a kWh is deemed too high at the moment.

     

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    Based on the French system, having chosen your tariff based on the maximum demand you are prepared to pay the standing charge for the meter operator will set and seal your main switch, the disjoncteur d’abonne, to trip if you exceed your agreed maximum demand.


    Quote:

    “Everything upstream of the circuit breaker is supported by your supplier. The circuit breaker itself is sealed according to the maximum power allowed by your subscriber contract (15 A, 30 A, 45 A or 60 A). You can not touch it or involve an independent professional.”.
    Schneider France


    Andy Betteridge 

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    The place for a cooking hob is bolted down into the work surface in the kitchen with adequate ventilation.


    People trying to cook in bedrooms in HMOs or for that matter homeowners or tenants trying to cook in any room other than the kitchen is a major safety issue and detrimental to health.

     



     

    These were full size, 4 ring fitted hobs. Indeed in one case we'd installed a 10mm circuit from  the CU as to us, 'induction hob' usually means 8.something kW.


    Seeing a flex with a plug dangling underneath  was a major 'wtf' moment till we read the requirements.
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    Arran Cameron:




    Sparkingchip:

    Electrium describe a Wylex eight way consumer unit with surge, arc protection and double pole RCBOs as the ultimate consumer unit.


    Eight ways is more than enough for most homes.




    3 ring mains

    Upstairs lights

    Downstairs lights

    Outside lights

    Central heating boiler / electric water heater

    Electric heating

    Electric cooker - for when gas cookers are banned

    Burglar alarm


    More like at least 10 ways and that's before installing fancy accessories like kWh meters for individual circuits (itemise your electric bill), time switches, controllers etc.



     


     




    So what maximum demand would you agree to pay for with your electric supplier?


    Andy Betteridge 

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    Sparkingchip:

    Based on the French system, having chosen your tariff based on the maximum demand you are prepared to pay the standing charge for the meter operator will set and seal your main switch, the disjoncteur d’abonne, to trip if you exceed your agreed maximum demand.



    Standing charges are to a certain degree a controversial concept. The question is, will the French system generally increase the electricity bill for most households in the UK?


    Current consumption varies throughout the day and throughout the year. A 60A current limit might be sufficient for an all electric house during a mild winter but will potentially be exceeded when confronted with another Beast from the East. Under the French system residents can pay extra to have an 80A or 100A current limit but chances are that 99% of the time they never even exceed 60A so they are really just paying for insurance and not electricity.
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    I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned universal provision of kWh meters for individual circuits in order to create an itemised electricity bill and find out exactly where the energy is being consumed.
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    I'm surprised that nobody has mentioned universal provision of kWh meters for individual circuits in order to create an itemised electricity bill and find out exactly where the energy is being consumed.



    Or better still, have the metering built into (smart) appliances.

      - Andy.
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    Network operators will stop providing customers with an earth terminal for new properties, they will all have to be TT with foundation earthing.


    Why? I'm vaguely aware that in some foreign countries TT is the norm.




    Because by then all the aluminium consac will be in such a state that the DNO will not be happy to offer a PME earth, and they will not wish to run an SNE cable just for one fussy customer who wants an earth termninal.

    Then at least one well known UK DNO, sends you this letter saying they can no longer guarantee that the earth terminal they provide is any good.
    703bb05f50d0bfbb31b81af622480c30-huge-ukpn_letter_bw2.png


    The choice in the cases where they cannot offer PME conversion, is a reassuringly expensive bill to in effect pay for all or part of a new cable to the substation or go TT.

    Mostly, folk with a limited budget go TT.

     


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