Protecting the Electrified Home

The electrical installation in a modern home is changing rapidly, with homeowners becoming more conscious of energy costs and wanting to play a bigger part in its generation and usage.

Alongside traditional lighting and power circuits, properties may now incorporate EV chargers, solar PV, battery storage, heat pumps and connected devices. Each brings different electrical characteristics, changing the demands placed on the installation. For contractors, circuit protection is an important consideration from the outset.

When Electricity Can Flow Both Ways

One of the most significant developments is the increasing prevalence of bi-directional power flows. Traditionally, electricity entered a property from the grid, passed through the consumer unit and was distributed to individual circuits. Solar PV and battery storage have changed that model. A property can generate electricity, store it, use it later or export surplus energy via the consumer unit and into the power grid.

As a result, the electrical installation needs to be considered as a more dynamic system. Circuit protection must be selected with the characteristics of the installation in mind, including situations where energy can be supplied from different sources.

BG's circuit protection portfolio includes bi-directional RCBOs and AFDDs, supporting installations incorporating renewable generation and energy storage.

More Than Basic Protection

The growing complexity of domestic electrical systems is also highlighting the role of different protective technologies. RCBOs provide individual circuit protection against overcurrent and residual current, while AFDDs can provide an additional level of protection against potentially hazardous arc faults.

Surge Protection Devices can help protect sensitive electronic equipment from transient overvoltages. Smart technology, EV charging equipment and renewable energy systems can all represent significant investments for homeowners.

Preparing for What Comes Next

With the electrification of the home continuing at pace - EV charging, renewable generation, battery storage and electric heating - the way properties consume and manage energy is changing.
For contractors, this means taking a broader view of circuit protection and selecting products capable of supporting an increasingly diverse range of applications.
For more information on BG Electrical's solutions for renewable energy installations, visit our Renewable Energy page.