Electrics in Spain

[androiduk2002]

Being up early on a Sunday morning and bored led to web surfing , found an interesting site although its hard to tell what is just sales speal or what is true.

The recent projects pages give some very interesting pictures especially the size of boards in Spain.

There is also a section on the Spanish supplier makes for interesting reading , in fact the whole site gives an insight to how things are done in Spain , thought I would share the link with you.

BS electrical, electrician in spain, spanish electrics, general electrician on the Costa Del Sol

One strange thing it they do not appear to use meters .

 

[jameseye12]

Thats interesting about the meters, how they just have a main circuit breaker dependent on their usage and a tarrif according the size of said breaker

 

[steptoe]

you sure they dont use meters?

new to me that

an up to date external meter cupboard with metal locking door,

any Ive worked on had meters too. :C

 

[jameseye12]

That's not what it explained on the website. It's talking about having like a contract with your electricity company so you pay a set amount for that month

"For example, if you have a small apartment you are likely to have a small contract of say 3.8kw. If this is the case you should have an ICP circuit breaker that is relevant to 3.8kw. You pay a certain rate per month for this & its known as your contract agreement. In theory if at any one time you use more than 3.8kw the ICP breaker is designed to cut out & disconnect your electrical supply. The idea is that if the ICP circuit breaker continually trips you are obviously using more electricity than your contract allows & therefore you

 

[steptoe]

BS electrical, electrician in spain, spanish electrics, general electrician on the Costa Del Sol

the 3rd paragraph in the warning section

 

[jameseye12]

Can you please explain ICPs then as I seem to have got this confused.

From looking at the section you have identified, that is what they must have to get a ICP fitted. Is an ICP an alternative to metering?

 

[steptoe]

its an MCB of sorts,

they only provide you with a certain amount of incoming current, you pay for the amount of max usage you intend to use.

max demand if you like.

but you have a meter as well, to total up up much you use over a set timescale,

the icp is so they know the max demand on their system, and if the cables can take it,

much like we have a 60/80/100Amp fuse, only they use MCBs of a sort.

making sense.??? Im not good at this explaining stuff. :|

 

[Badger]

That's not what it explained on the website. It's talking about having like a contract with your electricity company so you pay a set amount for that month"For example, if you have a small apartment you are likely to have a small contract of say 3.8kw. If this is the case you should have an ICP circuit breaker that is relevant to 3.8kw. You pay a certain rate per month for this & its known as your contract agreement. In theory if at any one time you use more than 3.8kw the ICP breaker is designed to cut out & disconnect your electrical supply. The idea is that if the ICP circuit breaker continually trips you are obviously using more electricity than your contract allows & therefore you

 

[androiduk2002]

one thing I found interesting , going by some of the project photos the circuit MCBs seem to be double pole as standard and there seems to be an awful lot of circuits in some of the residental properties.

 

[Badger]

one thing I found interesting , going by some of the project photos the circuit MCBs seem to be double pole as standard and there seems to be an awful lot of circuits in some of the residental properties.

you ought to see our house then with 21 circuits

 

[steptoe]

DP RCBOs and all radials, maybe 2 sockets on a circuit,

thats how most of the world is, apart from us stuck in the dark ages using ring finals to try and justify an over sized OCPD on the cable,

you do realise rings were only brought in so smaller CSA could be used during copper shortage?

 

[jameseye12]

its an MCB of sorts,they only provide you with a certain amount of incoming current, you pay for the amount of max usage you intend to use.

max demand if you like.

but you have a meter as well, to total up up much you use over a set timescale,

the icp is so they know the max demand on their system, and if the cables can take it,

much like we have a 60/80/100Amp fuse, only they use MCBs of a sort.

making sense.??? Im not good at this explaining stuff. :|

Thanks, that makes sense, I admit it would be silly not to meter their supplies, it would be too easy to steal electricity

 

[SLIPSHOD & SLAPDASH]

Remember that link is to a private company touting for work ; \

 

[steptoe]

Remember that link is to a private company touting for work ; \

from English Ex-pats,

hence the continual reference to english NICEIC background.

but,

it is pretty close to the mark if you are/have just moved there and not got a clue.