Specialist Electrical Services for Farming & Agriculture
The agriculture industry presents various electrical challenges and is a sector Diamond Services is experienced in and able to help.
Hazards such as flammable materials, damp and corrosive environments, rodents, and livestock are all important considerations to be made and the presence of these conditions qualifies farming and horticulture premises as special locations with respect to the electrical installation requirements (BS 7671, Section 705).
In this blog, we will cover the main challenges and how Diamond Services provide a safe and efficient electrical installation.
Electric Shock Protection
The metallic building structures, fixtures and fittings often found in farming create increased access to exposed conductive parts. This, along with regularly damp working conditions which may reduce contact resistance, can result in an increased risk of electric shock.
There are several specifications for this environment we identify to help protect against this. For example, RCDs (residual current devices) protecting socket outlets are used to break an electrical circuit, preventing serious harm from an ongoing electric shock.
A common factor, due to the often remote location of farming buildings, is for the supply to be managed by a TT earthing system. In this scenario, we stipulate that the main isolator for the installation must break all the live conductors of the supply.
Livestock safety is also a major factor in reducing electric shock risk. They are more susceptible to shock due to their physicality, naturally inquisitive nature, and herding habits, where they may simultaneously contact with earth and conductive elements over large areas. This means the placement of earth electrodes for TT systems must be inaccessible to livestock and carefully considered. Extra equipotential bonding will be specified between all exposed and extraneous conductive parts within the location, such as milking parlours, and wherever possible, floor based metal grids connected to the supplementary bonding.
Flammable materials
The agricultural sector uses many combustible materials such as fertilisers, grain and straw which can also produce flammable dust when stored and moved.
Circuits are deemed to be safeguarded against fire if they are protected by an RCD with a rated residual operating current no more than 30mA that operates within 40ms when tested at five times its rated residual operating current. The BS 7671 regulations state that fire protection is to be provided by the use of RCDs with a rated residual operating current no more than 300mA, which is of benefit for higher voltage sockets which will need a different RCD rating. And of course, electrical sockets must also always be positioned at a safe distance from flammable materials.
Electrical heating appliances used for breeding and rearing must comply with BS EN 60334-2-71 and be fixed at an appropriate distance from both livestock and combustible materials.
Rodents
A common occurrence in country living is the prevalence of rodents. Damage to cables and installations is one of the main causes of fire in the agricultural sector. This danger can be minimised by routing cabling on the underside of ceilings instead of the roof void and steel conduit can also provide some protection (although it does introduce further exposed conductive parts).
As part of our electrical installation, we can also offer suitable containment systems and armoured cabling to provide mechanical protection for equipment.
Corrosive and damp environments
Animal waste and many fertilisers and treatment products are corrosive and that’s where cable containment systems can offer added protection from the elements. Depending on the environment, carefully placed high-quality PVC conduit and trunking will help protect your installation.
Electrical Supply
There are also some standard requirements for external electrical supply into your agricultural building. They include ensuring self-supporting suspension overhead cables are installed at a height of at least 6m and underground cables buried to a minimum of 0.6m (a depth of 1m in cultivated or arable land).
Service Continuity
If you’re involved in high-density livestock rearing then you may need an alternative power source to maintain essential services in the event of a power failure such as ventilation, feed, heating and lighting. An alternative mains power supply or back-up generator will be required and circuits that supply ventilation and lighting should be on separate dedicated circuits to minimise total failure of all services. Ventilation should also include monitoring of the temperature and supply voltage with an alarm mechanism and be regularly monitored and maintained.
An electrical contractor you can trust
There are a number of very important considerations when installing electrical services in agricultural buildings. Diamond Services’ experienced electricians are on hand to offer help and support in this vital area. To find out more please contact us on 01603 745000.