electrics in your own home

[shezzaar]

Hello, I am just wondering if like in England, it is illegal to do your own electrics for your own home?

[greenbooties]

Hello, sorry I dont know the answer.... But is it possible to somehow save the post in my profile so I can view it later?

[shezzaar]

Hi Green,
If you press the Actions button at the top of your post on the thread, you can press bookmark,and than for future reference you will be able to find this thread, by clicking on bookmarks at the top.

[robertarthur]

Like all countries in Europe France carries a burden: many regulations. Every country it's own electrical code, here the NF C 15-100 regulations, more than 500 pages. Athough under the umbrella of international regs, all these codes, for historical reasons, own industry, are different. A new build in France, or a total renovation, has to conform to these NF regulations. In countries like the UK, Sweden and Switzerland DIY activities are almost illegal. Or the electrical code has been protected by copyright law (Netherlands, NEN 1010) making it difficult to gain access to the regs without paying. 

Not so in France. The electrical code is (almost) public domain. Many books and websites covering almost every aspect of "l'installation électrique". Not only for the (registered) profesionnals, but also for the DIY. It is not illegal to do your own electrics. 

Just to underline this, some links to websites and books:

- Introductions to the French electrical code on the websites of Schneider and Hager.

- Practical introductions and diagrams on the website of Entraidelec.

- An authorized summary of the French electrical code by the Promotelec organisation: Locaux d'habitation.

- And of course the reference book, for the French and many foreigners: "L'installation électrique comme un pro".


RA

[shezzaar]

Thankyou very much Robert,
And welcome to the forum

[greenbooties]

Thankyou from me also Robert

Green

[Badger]

Hello new forum!

Robert is quite correct; there's 'nowt to stop folks from tinkering with their own electrics here in France. However, the rule of "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" definitely applies. This is especially true where the use of three phase power (often found in domestic properties) is concerned.

@+ Badger

[shezzaar]

Thanks badger, for your input, you are correct about the "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing", I was going to go onto some kind of short course, before doing the electrics, do you think that would be a good idea or not? it would help me get the basics,
The job would be installing electrics, into the 4 new upstairs rooms (plugs, and lights).

[sparky]

Hi there, as a registered electrician in France, I have seen many a home that has had electrical work carried out by home owners. Quite OK to do this if you have an understanding of the cables, rating, loads on circuits etc. I have seen much evidence where this knowledge is not apparent and when homeowner comes to sell the diagnostic report highlights any faults that apply to their 6 key areas of safety. If your french is good and you can embark on a course then great that you can do your own. I for one, am quite pleased to see that electrical safety in the home is getting a bit of awareness, many fires in France are due to electrical fault, so if in doubt, do nowt.

[shezzaar]

Yes electrics can be dangerous when installed by an incompetent person. I do have some knowledge as I do have my part P.But would definitely want more experience before embarking on it.

[robertarthur]

There is an astonishing amount of information about the French electrics, so this asks for short summaries, and where possible a frame of reference for those not (yet) at ease when confronted with long French documents. As a starter these two might be helpful: practicalities, and French names. RA