Crowlas Home and Barn Electrical System Upgrade

This recent project took us to a property in Crowlas, where a series of electrical improvements were needed across the main house and its outbuildings. The work covered everything from fundamental safety systems to modern lighting and practical convenience, bringing the entire installation up to a much higher standard.

The most significant task was addressing the main consumer unit. The original unit was removed and replaced with a modern 14-way FuseBox board, which includes an integrated Surge Protection Device (SPD). This is a vital feature for any contemporary home, offering protection for sensitive electronic devices against voltage spikes. We relocated the new consumer unit to a more accessible, eye-level position within a cupboard, mounting it on a specialised bracket. All the original circuits were neatly routed to the new location using 50mm PVC trunking, before being reconnected, tested, and clearly labelled for future reference. An Electrical Installation Certificate was issued to document the new installation.

Throughout the house, we carried out extensive lighting upgrades. In both the main bathroom and the separate shower room, the old downlights were replaced with new IP-rated warm white LED units. The IP rating is particularly important in these areas, as it confirms the fittings are protected against moisture ingress. On the landing and hallway, we installed new warm white downlights, including a specific ’tilt’ version over the stairway, which we angled to properly light the steps.

The outbuildings presented a different set of challenges. For the metal barn, we replaced all the existing electrical accessories – including the socket, fused connection unit, and light switch – with new, robust IP-rated versions designed to handle the dust and damp found in such an environment. The lighting was also upgraded to a 5ft vapour-proof LED fitting. A similar approach was taken in the workshop areas, where five old batten lights were replaced with new 4ft IP-rated LED battens.

A key safety improvement for the outbuilding was the conversion of its earthing system. We disconnected the existing PME earth, which was shared with the house, and installed an independent TT earthing system. This involved driving a new earth rod into the ground to provide a dedicated earth for the outbuilding. We then bonded the barn’s metal cladding to this new system. This setup significantly reduces the risk of electric shock in the event of certain faults.

Finally, we handled several smaller but equally important jobs. In the master bedroom, we chased new cabling into the wall to install double sockets on either side of the bed, relocating an existing socket to maintain a matching appearance. We also replaced an old Bakelite light switch with a new one supplied by the client, replaced a broken meter box door, and installed a new 5ft LED batten in the car port complete with an integrated microwave sensor for automatic motion-activated lighting.