The renewing of an electrical system is a major task. Wiring will snake through walls, floor and ceilings, and as an electrician, I need to make sure that the wiring that is going in will stand the test of time.
The wiring that I removed from this house had not been installed very well; it was messy, untidy, and as it would turn out - Dangerous!
Originally the customer had expressed an interest in getting the wiring system inspected and tested so they could gauge if it needed some repairs or even a rewire, however, even a quick visual inspection indicated that the wiring was ad-hock, DIY'ed, and in need of replacement.
The house was situated over an underground river apparently. It meant that in the wet season, the ground water reaches about a foot deep below the house (pictured). The junction box was just inches from touching the water. Had it done so, the circuit would have tripped, and we would have needed to wait until the water level dropped, or lift up the floors and find the junction...
At the time of the initial visit, there was damp proofing works going on to the ground floor, the ceilings were being plastered, and the carpets and floor coverings needed removing. Add to that, those works had meant the lights were out most of the rooms, the oven had stopped working, and the house had become a bit precarious.
Time was important as works had been put on hold until the wiring was renewed, this meant the works had to be efficient and nothing left out.
New wiring was brought in for all the various socket outlets allowing for a number of different circuits to minimise future disruption due to faults. I call this compartmentalising the electrics to ensure that no fault can have too much impact on the rest of the home.
Lighting has been controlled with wireless technology to omit the need for channelling - This has sped up installation, reduced the repair costs for plastering and decorating, and has made the lighting system highly customisable.
Wireless switches are not subject to the same wiring requirements with conventional switches, therefore, the high volume of cabling required to connect the four switches that have been installed in the halls and landing for the lights in those area are no obsolete. We have simply paired up the four switches, and installed in handy locations the customer approves of.
In the future, there is mention of controlling some of the lights with app's or a smart speaker. As the system is highly customisable, we can introduce this technology in minuets with no disruption or need to remove a singe switch.
The property now benefits from high quality fire detection: Interlinked alarms monitor for smoke like you would expect, the kitchen has been fitted with a heat alarm, and CO2 detection has been added above the boiler. All alarms can be connected to an app for notification if the customer needs.
WiFi signal in the house was poor, so a data cable has been ran from the hub to a centre point to allow for a hard wired home network. Victorian house are narrow but deep, so the router fitted in the lounge was not giving enough strength to reach the kitchen. With the data point fitted, the signal is now excellent and working from home is no drama.
The consumer unit is now fitted with modern double pole RCBO's for the best protection available whilst allowing for minimal disruption in the event of a fault. Safety, function, and a super tidy consumer unit has placed this wiring system in an excellent position.
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Meet Benjamin Grant, your local electrician in Norwich with two decades of experience in the field. Benjamin is not your typical tradesman; he's a consumer-focused visionary who understands that your home is more than just a structure; it's an expression of your unique lifestyle and personality.
With a passion for helping customers realize their vision for the perfect home environment, Benjamin is committed to harnessing the power of electricity in smart and thoughtful ways. His goal is to make your home not just functional but a haven that reflects your dreams and aspirations. Whether it's creating ambient lighting, integrating cutting-edge technology, or optimizing energy efficiency, Benjamin brings a wealth of knowledge and innovation to every project.
So, when you embark on your next home renovation journey, remember that Benjamin Grant is your trusted partner, ready to turn your electrical dreams into reality. With his expertise and dedication, your vision for the perfect home is closer than you think.