New build (deep retrofit) - should I get the electrician to add in anything?

Sniipe · 10-08-2022 05:57PM #1

Hello, I read the FAQ and was delighted to see this active forum.

From it I understand that the company I was thinking of using isn't endorsed - so I'll look for another company. Thanks

Secondly, I told my electrician I'm interested in getting Solar as soon as possible. My house is getting a deep retrofit. He asked if I need to bring extra cables from the attic down to the fuse board now? Or is there anything I could do now that will make things easier for the Solar installer?

simpsimp · 10-08-2022 06:19PM

We were in the exact position you are in.

Asked the sparks what we could so - and he put a 6-square cable from attic to fuse board.

Which is fine - but now I find that we also might have run a Cat-6 to the fuse board for monitoring.

Also - and others might comment here - different installers had different requirements about "fireman's switch" - current installer is taking it from another, existing attic circuit - but other suggested a dedicated circuit?

Also, where you are running cable, ask about adding cable ducts - I'm kicking myself that we didn't do this! Just means if you need to add / remove / replace cable, you just work within the duct, instead of having to rip up plasterwork!

spaceHopper · 10-08-2022 06:25PM

Get a heavy wire for EV charging installed so you can install a charger later

Network cabling and HDMI for AV press to TV points, COAX if you want to have satellite TV or even Virgin media

A few sockets with USB in them in the bedrooms and kitchen.

Conduit form side of house to where ever you want to have broadband so that you can have fiber added later.

con747 · 10-08-2022 06:58PM

If you can dedicate a space close enough to the meter and then just have as above mention, It is a lot easier than having to go into an attic and the system will run cooler. You will also find yourself standing in front of it watching in real time what's happening. 😂

Sniipe · 10-08-2022 10:48PM

Thanks SpaceHopper - I have most of that.

In relation to PV - I'm hearing that I should have a conduit from the attic to the fuse board and perhaps throw in a 6-square cable.

Jonathan · 10-08-2022 10:54PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119456509#Comment_119456509

Add a second 6mm2 cable too. It will allow you to run your house from Solar/battery backup with a changeover switch

Sniipe · 11-08-2022 10:19AM

Thanks Jonathan, I've requested that from the Electrician:

x2 6mm2 in a conduit

Hopefully that future proof's me for anything Solar related.

graememk · 11-08-2022 05:59PM

And some cat6 up there too!

simpsimp · 11-08-2022 07:10PM

Cat6 is very adaptable - you can terminate it as Coax, HDMI, whatever you need.

So yeah, run more than you think you need - and in ducts! (for Cat7, Cat8, Cat9, etc)

We have the router and NAS in the attic, and then run that down to two locations in our small-ish house.

It means that the home office is hard wired, and the TV / Games station is also hard wired.

slave1 · 15-08-2022 10:13AM

6mmSq seems overkill for a 6kW max PV system, cost impact and also workability of the cables?

New build (deep retrofit) - should I get the electrician to add in anything?

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