Clients Requirement –

Our client had purchased a new Tesla model 3 vehicle and gave us an outline of wanting a tethered fast charging Type 2 unit. A smart unit was also a necessary requirement as our client wanted to take advantage of the governments OLEV grant fund – saving £500* on the cost of the installation.

Solution/Installation –

We agreed to install and connect the new circuit from the existing distribution board located in our clients garage to Rolec Wallpod:EV Homesmart EV charge. We installed a new SWA (steel wired armored) cable from the distribution board to a location agreed enabling the 5m long tethered lead to reach the plug-in point on the vehicle. The cable was securely fixed to the car-port.

We connected the new 32amp circuit complete with rcd protection from the distribution board to the Rolec charger, an earth rod was installed to provide the correct earthing arrangement and electrical tests were carried out. Certification was provided instantly using the NICEIC testing/certification web app. This helps us to provide the certificates instantly to our clients giving them peace of mind and to notify building control of works carried out under Part P, if required. 

Help was given to our client in setting up an account on the App to control the charger and we confirmed all was well and working before leaving site.

Particular Challenges –

This property has a ‘looped’ electrical supply, meaning that we were required to contact the local DNO (Distribution Network Operator) to apply for the proposed EV charger before we went ahead with the installation.

Technical –

Manufacturer – Rolec

Model – EVHS2140

7kW Mode 3 Fast Charging

IP65

Built-in MID compliant kWh meter

App Controllable

Built-in LED Charging Status Indicator.

*OLEV grant available pre April 2020.

Scope of works –

Rear ground floor single storey side and rear extensions and general refurbishment of a 4 storey house. The existing electrical system to be completely stripped out and a brand new system installed.

Installation –

Firstly we isolated all of the existing electrical services and completely removed all wiring and accessories. New power, lighting, data, telephone and AV wiring and outlets were required. Dedicated circuits for items like the Photovoltaic system, fire alarm and boiler were taken from a new distribution board complete with RCD protection, where required.

The general lighting installation was carried out using LSF 6242BH cabling installed within the fabric of the building. Lighting is generally controlled by on/off switches and some dimmer switched plus PIR sensors to the rear garden. Some lighting switches control the ventilation in certain area’s too.

Telephone,data and AV cabling was installed to all rooms from a central location allowing complete versatility.

‘Pop-up’ sockets were installed to the Kitchen island allowing appliances to be plugged in when needed but leaving a nice clean/flat worktop when not required.

Sky light control is available from a wall switch, rain sensors are installed just in case a sudden downpour was to dampen the mood.

The Fire Alarm is an D21LD2 category system as per the drawings and specification in all areas, wired utilising LSF 6242BH cabling. This is connected to a dedicated 230volt circuit. The Aico detectors used have a secondary battery power supply if the mains were to fail.

Unique aspects and challenges –

The property was heated by a wood pellet boiler, a pellet store was constructed in the basement and pellets were automatically pumped into the boiler when required. The carbon monoxide levels can rise to dangerous levels in pellet stores so a Simplicity CO monitoring system was installed. Sensors where installed in adjacent rooms to the pellet store itself, these sensors constantly monitor the CO levels and displays the levels on the panels screen located in the hallway on the level above. The panel will raise an alarm if the CO level has reached a set limit.

Extra careful planning, co-ordination and installation of the wiring and accessories  was required due to the flush wall/ceiling panel heating installed within the property. Wall mounted radiators weren’t wanted, so heating pipes similar to a underfloor system was installed to the walls and ceilings. Our electrician and the plumber got to know each-other very well!!

Technical details –

• MK Sentry  – Distribution
• MK Logic – Accessories
• Panasonic telephone system
• Aico – Smoke/Heat and CO detection
• Honeywell wireless doorbell
• Collingwood H2 Lite downlights
• Heatmiser – Underfloor/wall/ceiling heating controls
• Airflow ventilation
• Simplicity CO, carbon monoxide detection

Clients Requirement –

Our client wanted two simple and discrete charging points in two locations. One near a workshop and kitchen. This charger would be used to charge the college electric van. The other was located in a car park used by members of staff. Neither charger was required to charge vehicles particularly fast, the electric van would be left to charge overnight.

Solution/Installation –

We recommended the 6.3Kw Wallpod:EV model based on the compact yet impact resistant design and mode 3 fast charging capability. As these units were in secure locations where access is granted to few individuals, no complicated charging permissions were required. Just simply roll up, plug in and start charging your electric vehicle.

Surge protection was absent in both locations so we improved the electrical distribution to include this, Protecting the colleges and staffs much valued vehicles and equipment.

Particular Challenges –

In one of the locations we carried out a ground survey as we had  evidence to suggest that some drainage pipes were located exactly where we intended to install the earth rod that is required as part of this particular install. (TT system). Using the survey results we were able to identify a suitable location remote to the charger to install the earth rod into the ground, ensuring no damage to any underground service.

Government Grant –

The Rolec charge points used are OLEV grant fundable under the work place charging scheme. Our client simply applied for the grant online, generating a voucher code. We then claim against the voucher provided  once our installation is complete, saving money for our client.

Technical –

Manufacturer – Rolec

Model – EVWP2016

1x 16amp (3.6kW) Type 2 Socket Outlet

OLEV Grant Fundable under the Workplace Charging Scheme

Built-in Overload and Fault Current Protection

Mode 3  Charging

IP65

Fire Retardant

Built-in LED Charging Status Indicator

MID Approved Kwh Meter

Client – Green Templeton College

Green Templeton College own many properties on Observatory street Oxford and carry out refurbishments to these properties keeping them to a high standard of accommodation.

Monard Electrical working with Richard Wards Builders and many other contractors carried out a full refurbishment of 6 Observatory street including a complete electrical rewire, Mechanical services and decoration throughout the property.

LED Lighting was installed complete with MK Logic accessories and Hager Distribution board which contained internal Surge protection.

A Fire Alarm system was installed and linked to the colleges Lodge with commissioning being carried out by Pyrotec Services.

Praise for the refurbishment works by all involved

“I would like to take a moment to relay my appreciation on what has been a fantastic transformation of a very sad old property. The finish speaks volumes for your expertise and attention to detail. You have been professional, obliging, and courteous at all times and it has been a true pleasure working with you all.”

Steve Williams, Clerk of Works, Green Templeton College

For one night only, some of Oxford’s most beautiful buildings were lit up like never before.

In association with the Society of Light and Lighting, the Night of Heritage Light 2017 celebrated the art and science of light – with fun, creative designs lighting up some of the city’s most iconic sites:

• Ashmolean Museum
• Museum of Natural History
• Museum of the History of Science
• Bodleian Library quad
• Radcliffe Camera
• Radcliffe Observatory
• Radcliffe Humanities.

Experts in the field of lighting put their designs on display to demonstrate the power of light. Combining their love of light and art, design teams used their skills to enhance the stunning architecture and light up the night-time environment.

Monard assisted each team with the building knowledge, temporary supplies and installation of the luminaires. All luminaires were required to be installed so as not to damage the building and be safe for the public to be in close proximity.

The building was formerly used to house the University’s Mathematics department,. Although not listed, the building was built in the mid-1960s so a sympathetic and wide scale refurbishment was needed.

Strict scheduling meant that that the Monard team had to work alongside other main trades within a seven month programme. The first major Cat 6A installation for Monard, the contractor install and completely new metal containment scheme, power, lighting, emergency lighting, fire alarm system, access control, and trunking to meet the complex specification.

Richard Francis, Project Manager at Monard, said: “Monard Electrical has a strong background and extensive experience working within the higher education and listed building sectors and has been involved with many University projects through the years.

“This has been an interesting project for us in that it’s our first major Cat 6A installation. The building was pretty vast and the new containment had to run throughout the entire building. Due to the nature of the department, high levels of data/bandwidth was essential.

“Most businesses are still choosing Cat5e or Cat6 as these systems are perfectly adequate for most current applications. Those that look at Cat6a do so for future proofing purposes. If the cabling system is five or more years, Cat6a should be considered. If the planned lifetime is ten or more years, Cat6a should be the over-riding solution, even for relatively low performance users. Whilst we have seen Cat6a largely in data centres, there is a slowly shifting trend towards Cat 6a as people consider the long term as an increasingly important factor.”

Aesthetically, the architect’s vision was to create an industrial feel to the Statistics building and left the overhead cabling exposed. This also served to give the building a greater sense of light and space.

All of the services were exposed in the Statistics Building using galvanised cable Basket, Tray and trunking. This feature was retained throughout and whilst making little difference to our approach to the installation, it did affect our scheduling, working around other trades. Plasterers and decorators needed to finish their scope of works before we could begin the install which was managed with lots attention to logistics, communicating regularly with the project manager and other trades on site.”

This was a large scale project with a value of £1 million. At one point we had 18 electricians working at the project with 5 of our apprentices. We managed to complete the project on time and ready for the new academic year.

This has been a fantastic project to be involved in. The Monard team have carried out the work in rapid time ready for the students to relocate in January this year.

Clients Requirement –

Our client wanted a robust twin outlet unit capable of charging their car in a few hours. They wanted this to be located at the front of the property, supplied from a local distribution board and asked that we ran the cable through a flower bed to the charger.

Solution/Installation –

We recommended the Rolec Securicharge  model based on the robustness of the unit and the 3phase superfast charging capability.

Particular Challenges –

As this unit exceeded the 13.8kVa maximum demand set by the energy networks association  for residential properties, we contacted the local DNO (Distribution Network Operator) to apply for the proposed EV charger.

A part of the application asks for the maximum demand of the property to be stated. As this particular property has a large electrical installation we discussed and agreed the use of monitoring equipment to determine this reading. We used the Acksen EC-7VAR-RS Electrocorder. This allowed us to submit an accurate value for the application to the DNO.  The information recorded also provided our client with extremely helpful data that they could use to investigate how the use of power at the property could be more sustainable.

Technical –

Manufacturer – Rolec

Model – EVSC0210.

2x 32amp 3phase (22kW) Type 2 Sockets.

Built-in Overload and Fault Current Protection.

Mode 3 Superfast Charging.

IP54.

Fire Retardant

Key Operated.

Built-in LED Charging Status Indicator.

External lighting for Singletree – Completed 2018

Singletree is a sheltered housing scheme run by Oxford City Council, made up of 52 flats offering retirement housing and supported housing for older people. The electrical consultant CBG had already made a survey of the existing external lighting installation, which consisted of low level, mostly damaged bollard lights and wall lights. As a result the entire area was dark, dim and potentially dangerous.

Together with Richard Ward Ltd, a trusted subcontractor, we followed CBG’s design to excavate the ground and install new ductwork and cabling. To minimise disruption for residents and keep the car parks in constant use we dug the trenches in stages. R.Ward Ltd installed draw pits to pull the cables through, including complex changes of direction that make sure any future alterations are easy to carry out.

The new LED car-park post lights we installed and set in concrete featured 5 metre tubular steel mid-hinged columns, which are perfect for safe cleaning and maintenance. The steel wired armoured cable we used was fed through these columns and glanded into an adaptable box at the same time. Once the concrete was set, we bolted and connected the light source to the column.

The Kirium Pro 1 fitting came pre-programmed to illuminate thanks to an internal photocell switch and PIR sensor. When no movement is sensed for a period, the fitting auto-dims to 10% output until it’s re-triggered. For the new LED bollard lighting, we also set the bollard support post in concrete, then bolted the bollard to the support root and connected the light source via our adaptable box.

The new bollard fittings are controlled via a combination of timeclock and PIR sensor. And we replaced the old main entrance lighting with new Bega LED light fittings connected to the existing controls.

The lighting met the CIBSE Lighting Guidelines and the SLL Code for Lighting standards, providing an efficient and subtle solution that looks good and does a great job.

Technical insights:

If you want to know more about the technical side of the lighting we used, follow the links below.

• Bega
• Trilux
• D W Windsor

Randolph Sculpture Gallery lighting upgrade for Beard Construction – Completed 2012

Oxford’s Ashmolean Museum is the world’s first university museum, built from 1678–1683 to house the cabinet of curiosities given to the museum by Elias Ashmole in 1677. The museum reopened in 2009 after a major redevelopment and, in late 2011, new galleries focusing on treasures from Egypt and Nubia were unveiled.

The lighting upgrade was carried out in close collaboration with the museum. We installed new track lighting and architectural lighting, a Hoare Lea scheme involving clever track-mounted LED spotlights, including the Type X from Mike Stoane Lighting and the DR2 by Remote Controlled Lighting. The track we used coordinated sympathetically with the decorative ceiling cornice straps, and we developed special brackets for remote control lighting to ensure close coordination with the cornice straps and the track system. The resulting installation was both minimal and neat.

Praise for Monard’s work

“The Randolph Sculpture Gallery is one of the most iconic spaces in the Museum and is regularly used for a variety of different events and is particularly popular for weddings. We therefore needed a flexible scheme that provided both world-class lighting for the Arundel marbles during the day but was also appropriate for evening events. A great challenge which has been met by this remarkably flexible lighting scheme which enhances the architecture, highlights the collections and enables us to have wonderful evening events.”

Harry Phythian-Adams, Executive Officer

“The Ashmolean is delighted with the lighting scheme, the space shows the Ashmolean’s world renowned Arundel Marbles, which are now displayed in a gallery which is beautifully integrated into the Ashmolean’s new Ancient World floor.”

Professor Christopher Brown CBE, Director Ashmolean

“We were tasked with a general refurbishment of the Randolph Gallery with a completion deadline set in stone to accommodate an important function. The lighting and electrical works formed the major part of these works and were crucial to the success of the project. We worked in partnership with Monard, the Museum and consultants to develop and deliver the scheme ahead of time and to a high standard which the customer was delighted with. Monards were key to the success of this project and the approach of both
office and site staff was excellent. They were flexible & considerate on site in the difficult environment of working in a live museum and their technical input and advice to overcome design issues was a invaluable in achieving the overall success of the scheme.”

Nick Bradley, Beards Construction

You can find out more about the project here.

• Hoare Lighting
• Mondoarc

Electrical upgrade for the Department of Materials and Department of Engineering – Completed 2012

In 2012 we started a 2 year job to rewire areas of the Holder Building, alongside the project designers Foreman Roberts. The work included replacing lighting, containment, distribution, small power, metering and data network in the labs and teaching spaces. The ground floor electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility enjoyed a total upgrade involving careful planning and design thanks to the sensitivity of the equipment used.

Praise for Monard’s work

“For the duration of the project Monard electrical provided an excellent service in terms of project management and quality of installation, I would have no hesitation in recommending this Monard team to others.”

Steve Fleming (Foreman Roberts)