The Customer reached out to me with concerns about the wiring in the house he had brought several months earlier. Whilst purchasing the property he had a report carried out into the homes wiring to establish the condition and state of the electrics which was a smart thing to do.
In our initial phone conversation, we discussed his confusion regarding the information provided by the previous electricians, there was more than one. As The Customer explains, the report they had done before they completed on the property didn’t indicate any problems except for a consumer unit that was dated and in need of replacement. Once he had moved in, the unit was updated, and a new report was given that didn’t tally with the first.
Explaining the need for clarity, I assured The Customer that I would help make sense of the reports. We had a candid discussion about the house's era, a 1950's build, the potential need for a rewire, and the probable costs involved should the house indeed need rewiring.
To fully understand the scope, I arranged a site visit. Face-to-face, we looked over the report and walked round the home looking at the existing electrical system. The puzzling EICR reports were simply poorly compiled and left a lot of key information out that would have been needed to make an informed decision about the purchase. During this visit, we discussed the technical aspects and the impact that a rewire would have on the house now, and going forward as they look to decorate and alter the interior.
The site visit allowed us to make what sense we could of the reports and conclude the next steps. I made it a point to explain everything in simple terms, avoiding unnecessary jargon. We were able to ascertain the points of concern, and as such, the quote was put together with the view to address the concerns around reliability and longevity of any wiring that would be installed.
Time was taken to ensure that the works, schedule, and the equipment to be installed were acceptable to The Customer. A key factor was the guarantee on the works around failure. A benefit to the products selected are that they are robust and have a low fail rate. This was accepted by The Customer. They looked pretty stylish and unassuming too.
The Customer and his family were living in the house during the rewiring process. This added complexity that we needed to address daily which meant scheduling what and when became a crucial element. I prioritized minimizing disruption to their daily lives. This meant that any works carried out during the day needed to be completed before the end of the day so the house could be used in the evening and overnight/over the weekends. This did add some time, but it also meant that the disruption was kept to a minimum, and that work schedules and school timetables weren’t impacted.
With this in mind, the electrical system was installed with some Key elements:
1. Radial circuits for the power
Different to ring finals which have become the norm, radial circuits serve a smaller area. This means you need more of them, but it also means that the electrical system is more compartmentalised. In the event of a failure, far less of the electrical system is affected, and as such, the disruption to the homeowner is far less impactful.
Laser line socket installation
2. Wireless switching for the entire lighting system
Quinetic lighting System for the garage
Wireless lighting systems are quite frankly the future and are superior to hard wired systems in every way. A major plus for The Customer was the reduction in wall channelling, and the quick installation of the muti point switching. This was made possible because there were no convoluted switching runs needed for the staircase which serves the ground floor, the extension annex, and the 1st floor. For lighting in this area for example, there were 4 switching points which were installed in 20 minutes with no channelling. Just pair and stick.
Conventional wiring would have added thousands of pounds in labour, not to mention the repairs that a plasterer would have been needed for and the associated decorating costs.
Consumer unit that we adapted for the rewire
The consumer unit had been updated recently, so we kept the carcass and some of the devices, but we added a few of our own: Superior in operation, our devices are double pole, whereas the ones fitted previous are only single pole.
RCBO’s were installed to individual circuits. This is as unsexy as it gets. But in the event of a failure, the homes electrical system is not only robust, it has the ability to be repaired in a fraction of the time. This is due, in part, to the use of radials for the power circuits and the setup that the wireless lighting system that we install affords. In the event of a fault, the house would lose the minimal amount of service with a repair likely being quick and easy, which of course means more cost effective in the long run.
The sub-main to the garage: This sub-main is ready for a vehicle charger, and solar panels in the near future.
Distribution board 2
Along with the main elements, the installation also benefited from:
- New security lighting to the front of the house
- USB socket fronts to allow faster charging of devices and prevent too many plug at a socket
- Downlights in the bathrooms to introduce more light
- A range of smoke, heat, and CO2 alarms situated for maximum protection
- A complimentary 'black out switch' courtesy of W3TL with all new rewires.
Blackout switch?
Yes, at least that what we call it. Click this switch, and it will turn off all the lights in your home at once. - How many electricians can do that for free?
If you think W3TL can help with your homes electrical system, and you want honest clear advice, then call today
01603 334007
Perhaps you would like to find out more about how wireless switching can transform your home, your experience, and just make your life... well... Better.... Then its time to call..
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.