Are the electrical regulations in France the same as in the UK?
Can I do the electrical work myself?
Can I use UK twin and earth cable to rewire my house?
Is it OK to install UK socket outlets and light switches in my house?
What is the maximum electrical supply that I can have in my house?
Can I connect my power points on a 'ring main' like in the UK?
What is the purpose of the electrical certificate which is required when a property is sold?
My builder tells me that he can do the electrical work at my property. Is this OK?
Are there any regulations which I should be aware of when I undertake electrical work to my property?
Any electrical work undertaken on an individual dwelling house, either new or renovation, must comply with the requirements of Norme NF C 15-100 and its subsequent amendments. This applies equally even to partial renovation of an existing system and to extensions to an existing property. The requirements of the Norme are obligatory, subject to certain clearly defined exceptions in the case of renovation work, and apply to everyone who undertakes any new or modification works to an electrical installation. Furthermore, it is a legal requirement to notify any new installations or major renovation of an electrical installation to Consuel, the regulatory body, so that they may inspect the work, if necessary, to ensure compliance with the regulations. Failure to do so may impact upon your insurance cover should there be a problem.
Are the electrical regulations in France the same as in the UK?
No, there are some fundamental differences between the two sets of regulations and it is imperative that all installations fully meet the specific requirements of the French regulations.
Can I do the electrical work myself?
There is nothing to prevent a property owner from undertaking work upon their own property provided that they comply with the requirements of all current legislation and standards in force, just as would be expected of an artisan. Failure to comply with such legislation or standards may leave you exposed to legal comeback and may make your property unsaleable.
Can I use UK twin and earth cable to rewire my house?
No, UK cable is not acceptable in France for a number of reasons and will certainly invalidate your property insurance should you have need to make a claim. The normal wiring installation is to use appropriately coloured 'single' cables or alternatively the use of R02V rigid multicore sheathed cable which is the nearest equivalent to UK 'twin and earth'.
Is it OK to install UK socket outlets and light switches in my house?
No, UK sockets and light switches do not generally meet the requirements of the Norme but, arguably, manufacturers such as Legrand sell UK socket outlets as part of their standard ranges which may be acceptable to your insurance provider. If you are adamant that you want to install UK socket outlets then it may be worth asking the question.
What is the maximum electrical supply that I can have in my house?
The provision of electrical supply to your property in France is not the same as you would expect in the UK. Firstly, you will probably have the choice of either a monophase or a triphase supply. Essentially as a domestic customer in the UK you would have been expected to have a monophase or single phase supply of 100Ampere. Triphase or three phase supplies in the UK are generally restricted to commercial and industrial users. The choice between a monophase or triphase supply will generally be dependant upon the type and amount of equipment which you anticipate to be connected.
A monophase supply will have a maximum rating of 60Ampere (12 kW), although this may be limited to 45Ampere (9kW) or even less dependant upon your location and network availability. Dependant upon the installed capacity of your installation a monophase supply, even at 60Ampere, may result in the need to have non-priority load shedding of circuits, normally electrical heating, to avoid overloading the system and causing nuisance tripping of the EDF isolating device.
If you require a capacity in excess of 60Ampere (12kW) or you have triphase equipment installed, it will be necessary to select a triphase supply to serve your requirements. With a triphase supply it is important that the phases are balanced as equally is possible from a load utilisation viewpoint, as badly imbalanced loads can result in a number of indesirable effects with respect to the operation of the electrical systems. In essence, unless you specifically need the provision of a triphase supply it may be better avoided.
Can I connect my power points on a 'ring main' like in the UK?
No, there is a specific technical reason for the installation of a ring main as is used in the UK, which does not apply in France. There is no benefit of installing a ring main circuit if the Norme is complied with and the result of an incorrectly installed ring main may give rise to a fire under certain circumstances.
What is the purpose of the electrical certificate which is required when a property is sold?
The electrical certificate, known formally as the 'Diagnostique Electrique', is a requirement which has been in place since 1 January 2009 and is required for the sale of any property which is older than 15 years. Essentially, the certificate must be provided by a registered diagnostiquer who will undertake an inspection of the property with respect to the safety aspect of 6 key elements of the installation. The resulting report should identify any anomalies with respect to the safety of the installation and any work which is necessary to ensure compliance with the safety requirements of Norme NF C 15-100. The exception to the requirement for a certificate is where a property older than 15 years has had an attestation delivered by Consuel following the completion of electrical work at the property within the last three years.
My builder tells me that he can do the electrical work at my property. Is
this OK?
It may be, but it is important to realise
that electrical services installation is a regulated trade in France and it is a
criminal offence for anyone, other than the property owner, to undertake work on
behalf of anyone else unless they are properly registered and have the
documentation to undertake such work. If you have any doubt ask to see the
artisans 'Chambre des Metiers' registration card which will clearly indicate the
trade of 'électricién' if the artisan is registered. If it does not then
you should assume that the person or business is not registered. As such,
anyone who undertakes work without registration is liable to a significant fine
and your property insurance may be invalidated.