How cables can help future-proof a home
Modern homes are becoming more reliant on electricity thanks to electric vehicles (EVs), smart tech, and home offices.
This presents a challenge: how can homes be future-proofed to handle higher energy demands while remaining safe, efficient, and reliable? Part of the answer lies in a robust cable infrastructure. The right cables can help ensure homes are ready for increasing energy demands and evolving technologies.
Smarter charging at home
More homeowners are hiring electricians to install smart chargers to charge their EVs at home. Home chargers are typically fitted with a single-phase 7kW unit, which tends to be sufficient to charge a single vehicle at home. However, this and heat pumps will ensure energy demands continue to grow, and managing simultaneous loads becomes increasingly important.
The need for smart charge points has also been reinforced by the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, which require all EV charging points sold and installed for residential properties to feature smart functionalities, allowing them to charge EVs off-peak and increasingly when renewable or clean energy is available. PRY-EV by Prysmian helps to support this.
PRY EV is a power and signal cable that connects the consumer unit to the wall-mounted electric vehicle charger. The all-in-one cable allows the system to monitor and control the supply current to the EV. If the demand is too high, the smart charger reduces the current supplied to the electric vehicle, preventing overload and disrupting the whole household during peak household demand. Additionally, because PRY EV provides power and signal connectivity in a single cable, it allows a neat and tidy installation for clients and an easier installation for electricians. It also enables upgrades in the future.
Increasing outdoor power demands
Outbuildings, such as garden offices, workshops and home gyms are increasingly common in homes, which means more applications on the domestic energy network. As these spaces evolve over time, ensuring the electrical supply can accommodate future needs becomes essential for long-term reliability.
Power to these outbuildings is best supplied by buried steel wire armoured cable that connects to the distribution board in the main building. Choosing a larger conductor than the bare minimum normally selected from rating tables can improve efficiency, reduce heat losses and ensure it can cope with future load increases as a result of the energy transition.
Protection from electromagnetic interference (EMI)
The modern, high-spec home requires stable power that’s free from interference. Electromagnetic interference (EMI) occurs when electromagnetic fields created by AC cables disrupt nearby electronic devices and can also increase resistance in the cables themselves. Screened low smoke, zero halogen (LSOH) cables are ideal for this scenario.
Prysmian LSX is a screened LSOH cable with XLPE insulation and an aluminium screen, manufactured in accordance with BS 8436. In addition to providing all the safety benefits in the event of nail penetration or fire, its 360O metallic screen helps protect the cable from electrical interference and prevents the cable from causing interference to nearby equipment.
Installing Prysmian LSX delivers clean power to sensitive equipment, reducing electrical interference and meeting electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) requirements.
Keeping everyone connected
Smart TVs, gaming consoles, video doorbells etc., rely on robust Wi-Fi networks. Electricians often install CAT 6 cable as standard when routing cables in walls or ceilings even in situations where a CAT 5 or CAT 5e cable might be technically sufficient for current needs.
This early choice of CAT 6 ensures the installation is ready for higher-speed requirements later on. It also offers a reliable fallback: if the Wi-Fi fails, a hard-wired CAT 6 connection can keep devices online. CAT 6 cable ensures the installation is ready for higher-speed requirements in the future. If the Wi-Fi fails, a CAT 6 connection can keep devices online.
Although CAT 6 cables do not replace conventional power for high-demand appliances such as TVs, with Power over Ethernet (PoE), some low-power devices, can be controlled and powered through data cable rather than traditional power cable such as 6242Y.
Prysmian CAT 6 is widely available across the UK and is backwards compatible with CAT 5, CAT 5e, and CAT 3 standards. This means it can be used alongside older network cable without requiring a complete replacement. It allows for easy network expansion or upgrades, ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure.
Cable sizing and efficiency with CableApp
Future-proofing a home is not just about selecting the right type of cables, it’s also about choosing the right size. Correctly sized cables improve safety, reduce energy losses, and ensure a home’s electrical system can cope with growing demand over time. This is where CableApp can help.
CableApp, our cable calculator tool, helps users identify what cable sizes will help reduce energy losses from installation and save on overall CO₂ emissions. Using the base conditions entered by the user, CableApp can calculate a proposed “Energy Conscious Solution”, which provides advice on any potential savings in CO₂ emissions and monetary savings for homeowners.
As modern homes become smarter, future-proofing residential installations with high-quality, reliable cables is crucial. Not only do they help manage and prevent overloads, but they also make upgrading to new technologies easier. From smart EV chargers to outdoor power supplies, the right cables ensure homes are safe, efficient and reliable for years to come.
If you’re looking for more information or advice, why not contact us today?