Since the mid 1990’s, modular wiring has existed in the UK but it was not until the early 2000’s, as more manufacturers offered modular solutions, that the concept has become widely known and accepted.
On the face of it, it’s a simple idea. Replace the traditional method of electrical installation using cable preparation on site with pre-made lengths of lead with mating connectors already fitted. Modular wiring is sometimes known as “plug and play”; it is definitely pluggable but “play” makes it sound unprofessional and immature. It is any thing but that. Some people may still have doubts but the dozens of successful and high profile projects that have been completed show that modular wiring is no short lived fashion.
Modular wiring manufacturers fall into two categories; those who manufacture their own connectors and those that do not. Those that do not use connectors made by those that do, so quality of connection is never an issue. However, beware that not every manufacturers connectors will mate together. Some suppliers just offer leads and connectors for lighting and power whereas others offer a solution from the distribution board with home runs, MDB’s and lighting distribution modules. Armoured leads offer mechanical protection in the form of flexible conduit for power connections with non armoured “soft skin” leads for lighting. In short, some manufacturers are component suppliers, some project suppliers.
Whoever provides the system, the benefits are the same. The biggest is saving time and money on site: this is not just something that the manufacturers marketing department imagine, it is a true benefit of modular wiring. Yes, the material cost will be higher but the saving in man hours on site far outweighs that. By it’s very definition, a modular system plugs together, which makes installation much faster and safer. And reduced installation time means reduced site costs. Overall it is possible to see a 40% cost saving using a modular wiring system. On one recent project, the wiring could not have been achieved conventionally in the short time that the aggressive building programme allowed.
Planning and design is done in advance rather then on site. The design starts at the same place with the specification and CAD drawings from the client but then the drawings are “modularised” and the take-off (bill of materials) is produced. It is important that the supplier understands the specification of the project.
Material costs are controlled and there is no wastage on site. Upfront costings ensure that the client or installer knows the cost of the modular wiring system and only the parts required will be delivered to the work area.
Every modular wiring system is prefabricated and tested offsite in a clean factory environment where wire preparation is accurate, connections reliable and, very importantly, every item from lead to home run is tested before it leaves the factory. Thus, the quality of what arrives on site is assured and every reputable manufacturer will have a quality system to prove this. In addition, delivery will keep pace with the progress of the building and can be adjusted to suit any changes. Parts are packed and labelled per floor or room, reducing the need for on site storage. Packaging can be reused to reduce waste and the absence of cutting and stripping can improve site health and safety.
The benefits don’t just stop at installation. As well as taking out cost, a modular system introduces flexibility during the life of the building. Modular connection makes extending or modifying the existing arrangement easy to achieve and to the same high standard. During a refit for example, changes take less time so business can resume again sooner. As more clients see the benefits of building control and monitoring, such systems can be integrated into the pre-installed modular wiring system with the minimum of disruption.
There are clients and installers that still express some reservations about modular wiring. These should not be ignored by manufacturers but should instead be embraced in order for the industry to move forward. There can be concerns about availability of parts when faced with a project deadline. This can be overcome through experience and forward planning. It is true that modular wiring lends itself to a repetitive design found primarily in classroom or hospital ward layout but to overlook it for other projects is to ignore the all the other benefits that it brings. On site installation does not always follow the CAD drawings which on the face of it defeats the object of forward planning. Well trained installers and a close relationship with the modular wiring supplier mean that this could be avoided or effects or delays minimised.
The advantages of prefabricated modular wiring systems are clear and are shown to provide flexibility as well as cost-reducing and time-saving benefits. As we move towards greater integration, control and intelligence in buildings, whatever their size and type, modular wiring systems are showing themselves to be invaluable.