This is a subscriber-only article
One such grant aid available supports farmers to rewire an existing shed that they have on their farm. This could be the push that many farmers need to get such a job completed.
The environment on a farm is much more exposed than that of a domestic situation and for that reason it requires a higher standard of electrical installation.
Earlier this year Martin decided that he would take the plunge and rewire his existing five-bay double-slatted shed.
“I got a shock a couple of times from the old sockets so I knew myself that something had to be done,” Martin said.
The first job that was required was to strip the entire shed of the old electrical wires and start from scratch. While some of the lights in place might have been acceptable to keep in the rewiring Martin decided to install everything from new just to ensure his safety and the safety of anyone else who comes onto the farm.
Not only is it illegal to use unregistered contractors but they will often use cheap materials that pose a massive safety
risk
“The whole reason I did the job was for my own safety, I thought it was better to pull everything out and put in everything new,” Martin said.
When carrying out such works under TAMS II there are certain specifications you have to work to, including that the wiring must be certified by a registered electrical contractor (ie registered with Safe Electric). Another important requirement is that IP rated sockets and switches are fitted. IP rated equipment provides protection against dust and water ingress. Also, to qualify for the grant all underground cables must be kept at least 3ft deep to protect against accidentally disturbing them when carrying out ground works.
Don’t skimp on the sockets
When planning out the rewiring of the shed it was decided to place plug sockets at either end of the shed while also installing sockets throughout the shed. Kevin Whelan from Kilrush, Co Clare was the registered electrical contractor who carried out the work on the shed.
“You could never have enough sockets around a shed,” according to Kevin. “It’s the night you get the vet out and you need extra light that most farmers will have to go looking for an extension lead.”
That won’t be the case in Martin’s shed anyway, it also means that if he has a weak calf that the infrared lamp can be brought to where the calf is and not the other way round. This not only reduces the need to lift the calf but it also eliminates undue stress for the cow. A lot of farmers will not put in these extra sockets initially as they will focus on the cost of the project, but the future benefits cannot be understated.
The plug sockets installed are 16 AMP sockets with the required waterproof cover over them that can be closed when a tool is plugged in.
“I don’t have to worry about power washing anymore,” Martin said, “I can close down the cover and it is waterproof.”
Wherever it was decided to install sockets, multiple sockets were installed as this meant that Martin would not always have to be pulling out plugs the whole time. This allows more flexibility for the farmer. Circular 32 AMP blue sockets which are IP rated were also installed at several points throughout the shed.
The position of the fuse box was also moved, making it more accessible for Martin and less accessible for cattle. An RCBO board was used instead of the MCB board as this is a requirement for agricultural buildings. It is important to test the operation of this board twice a year by pushing the test button and checking that it trips.
Another issue with the old shed was that it was not earthed properly.
Every stanchion in the shed was drilled and tapped with 10mm earth wire. These then ran to a new earth bar which was driven 4ft into the ground, ensuring the shed was sufficiently earthed. it is important to always have proper earthing in place to avoid shocks and the affects of stray voltage.
The entire shed also had to be drilled and tapped with 10mm earthing wire
NYMJ cable was used throughout the shed with 1.5mm cable used for lights and 2.5mm cable used for the sockets.
A novel idea was to give each individual light their own plug. This was done so that if a bulb in one of the lights blows that the entire light can be unplugged and taken down, fixed at ground level and put back up, reducing the need to work at a height. It will also facilitate Martin cleaning the lights.
This is a major issue in many sheds where the light emitted is greatly reduced due to a build-up of dirt. Light switches were installed at both doors of the shed, while this may seem obvious you would not believe the amount of farmers that will locate all light switches at one end of the shed. Individual switches are in place while master switches to turn all lights on or off are also installed.
LED yard lights were installed outside of the shed to provide full light on the yard.
Martin also decided to install a water heater in the shed, while initially plugged into one of the sockets it was rewired with its own isolation switch.
“I would always use warm water down at the shed.
"This way I can always have about eight buckets of warm water to hand whether it is used for cleaning or for making powders for calves, whatever it is,” Martin said.
“If I have the vet out and he needs two buckets of warm water I don’t have to be rushing up to the house and boiling the kettle, I have it there and then. When you have a weak calf time is of the essence and it is when you are rushing that an accident will happen.”
Grant aid
The rate of grant aid is €6.70/m2 of the internal area of the building which is to be rewired. A farmer can also receive grant aid for farmyard lights that are a minimum 200W equivalent, either metal halide or LED. The grant is €237.50/light.
The total cost of rewiring Martin’s shed came to approximately €3,000.
VAT was €300 with the remaining €2,700 approved for grant aid.
With Martin qualifying for the 40% grant aid it will leave the total cost of the project at approximately €1,620 after grant aid.
One piece of advice that both Martin and Kevin emphasised was to ensure to get a registered electrical contractor to carry out these jobs.
Not only is it illegal to use unregistered contractors but they will often use cheap materials that pose a massive safety risk.
Incorporating a new cubicle shed into an existing yard
Improving cow flow with 24-unit parlour
In pictures: 'the size of the cow is what is killing suckling'
Watch: restoring glory to traditional farm buildings
SHARING OPTIONS: