French electrics

[binky]

I have a builder friend who is off to start building his retirement home (a barn conversion) in deepest france. At the moment he has not started work yet, but will need to provide a site supply (in waterproof box) for EDF to connect electric to. Has anyone done a similar thing, does anyone know of any good guides to french leccy standards? :| He's hoping to purchase gear before going - is our gear to the same standard? :| (I presume cable colours are the same seeing as we harmonized) ?:| ? :| ?:| ? :|

 

[MR DIAZ]

Best solution

Get a French Spark to do the work, so they can issue whatever certification is needed.

Doing it yourself/himself is unrealistic and can cause more problems/delays/costs than you could believe

So take it out of the equation before you start.

 

[johno]

hi binky, i agree with Mr d on that, mate of mine done his own house in France, he got it done but a nightmare with the French elect board to connect , they use a lot of legrand gear, fairly cheap but the way the euro has gone maybe not. They seem to use boxes before every switch and light with connectors in them. French sparks and other trades can be a bit funny about others coming in to do work, is the house in north Brittany, may have a contact about there, i was in channel isles for a bit, as well as your lovely part of the world, johno

 

[binky]

Tend to agree with both of you, but you know how some people are. Unfortunately the location is in the Pyrennes - bit of a drive from Brittany!! Don't think Graham wishes to do everything himself, he just wants a tempoary supply so he can work and hook up a shower.

 

[batty]

Not sure if they are using harmonized colours yet. Hager Rcbo's still have black neutral cables. French probably said B...oks.

Batty

 

[SPECIAL LOCATION]

I have a builder friend who is off to start building his retirement home (a barn conversion) in deepest france. At the moment he has not started work yet, but will need to provide a site supply (in waterproof box) for EDF to connect electric to. Has anyone done a similar thing, does anyone know of any good guides to french leccy standards? :| He's hoping to purchase gear before going - is our gear to the same standard? :| (I presume cable colours are the same seeing as we harmonized) ?:| ? :| ?:| ? :|

Mr Sworld has done some work in France I think?

Electrician Forum

may be good to ask him any advice?

 

[Mr Sworld]

I have. I also have quite a good guide to French electrics which I shall try to upload.

EDF will only supply live and neutral. Earth is up to you! They use 300-500mA RCD's a lot at the source of supply due to thunderstorms being a big problem in certain areas of France!

 

[Mr Sworld]

Also, a lot of French ex-agriculture property tends to have two phases supplied to it.

 

[binky]

Thunderstorms are probably an issue up in the mountains, especially as I understand the supply is from overhead lines.

So basically we are looking at a TT set-up with 300-500mA RCD as main incoming switch? At least they aren't using PME. If you can upload the guide it will be very much appreciated Mr Sworld.

 

[Mr Sworld]

Might be better to PM me and I'll burn a copy. It's a French book that has been 'translated' by a web site so it's not 'perfect'.

However electrics are the same here and in France it's just a difference in installation methods. However it gives you a good guide to how they do it and how they install it. (To modern standards that is! While some UK electrics are awful in old housing at least we get a decent Earth. Some of the French TT earthing I saw was a joke! Re-bar with a 2.5mm cable wrapped around it is not a earthing system in my book!)

 

[Mr Sworld]

I have put a copy of L'Installation Electrique onto Demonoid. If you would like a copy and you are not registered on that site then PM me.