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House Renovations
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 04/05/2008, 20:38
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Nick Trollope
 
Joined on 23/08/2004
Broons, Dept 22
Posts 2,479
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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 tj wrote: | Funnily enough i have just updated two fuse boards, and any electrician will tell you, is the devils job, not to drop a wire, put one in the place etc etc, its much easier to do a new installation, so I might advise you give it a miss unless your 100% sure you can complete it,,,,,,,,can imagine how an electrician will charge to put it right if you make mess of it. |
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Quite so. Get a neutral in the wrong place and nothing will happen until you plug something in, then the breaker goes. Nightmare to find.
BTW, I've always reckoned that faulty plumbing is alot more destructive than faulty electrics; Electricty doesn't leak out of a (untouched) broken wire, water does! Then again, I hate plumbing, leaks always occur on the cold side...
Nick www.aplaceinfrance.com
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04/05/2008, 22:32
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dr orloff
Joined on 13/04/2008
Posts 70
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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I'd like to go against the grain and suggest that I think it is practical to do so without prior experience. I did it with no prior experience and found French electrics very straightforward and the whole system rather intuitive. I consulted an excellent guidebook - l'installation electrique, had some good advice from others and applied some common sense.
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04/05/2008, 23:03
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J.R's gone native
Joined on 16/07/2006
Picardie, Sussex
Posts 1,820
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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05/05/2008, 6:23
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powerdesal
Joined on 07/01/2006
Sharjah U.A.E
Posts 2,173
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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I disagree, its not fundamentalist PC, its valid warning comments.
The OP seemed to be somewhat unsure of his capabilities regarding wiring and, as such, its not really a good idea to start working on systems which can be seriously health threatening.
Many of us on this forum are electrically experienced, I am, although not a "certified" electrician (does being a fully qualified Electrical Engineer count?). We give our advice freely and without prejudice. At the end of the day its up to the individual to decide whether to take the chance based on his/her own assessment of their capabilities and knowledge.
I agree that wiring a tableau is (or an be) relatively simple but my view is based on knowledge and experience as no doubt yours is. The problem is that it can look simple enough to someone who has never done it and thinks "thats simple, I can do that", its the lack of underlying knowledge of principles and practice that can make it very dangerous.
Steve
Sharjah (but not for long ) + 50 (in France)
...........................................................................
7 days Ins'Allah (1 with the packers, 2 for the week end, 4 for work)( or maybe 8, or 9, or 10 or 11 or....)
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05/05/2008, 10:39
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jxedwards
Joined on 07/11/2004
Lot, South Wales, Sakhalin Island
Posts 142
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![Woot! [:-))]](/cs/images/emotions/w00t.gif)
Re: Putting in own electrics
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PC please don't get me started on that!!!
Blunt and to the point I strongly believe that people should be made aware of the hazards that badly installed electrical devices/installations can pose/threat.
Would the OP consider installing his own gas installation? I somewhat doubt it as gas smells and explodes. As has been pointed out electricity is an unseen hazard but still a potentially lethal hazard.
Am I qualified to comment, yes. Opposite to powerdeseal I am a UK qualified electrician in another life, and I now work as an electrical commissioning engineer of 18 years experience. To date I have never lost anyone on my watch and do not intend to do so.
Dispite early comments I really do not want the OP to end his days prematurely which if he goes ahead with this retrofit is a distinct possibility.
Please oh gentle kind friendly people be aware that electricity can be a potential hazard.
Is that PC enough?
Me I prefer;
Pay attention out there anyone non-qualified meddling halfwit DIYer's out there think they can mess with electricity because it looks easy don't. It kills suddenly you have been warned!!!
Even a stopped clock is correct twice a day!!
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05/05/2008, 13:36
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P2
Joined on 13/09/2006
Posts 224
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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Electrics to me is a mechanical thing......
You use screws or other mechanical means to make connections.
There is nothing in the wires or the pipes until you turn on the electrics or water. Electrics are even colour coded.
The problem is when, due to incorrectly wiring something the thing is live OR there is no earth connection.
In the house we have bought I assume that it was a 'qualified electrician' who installed some additional socket outlets of the live, neutral and earth variety by extending the existing two wire system thereby not requiring to install an earth cable because there was nothing to connect it to.
Paul
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05/05/2008, 15:39
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Val_2
Joined on 23/08/2004
Posts 3,131
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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If you are buying a property to renovate here then the one thing you should not skimp on by trying to save money and that is electrical work. Spend some money and get it done properly and safely by a qualified artisan and you will sleep better at night rather than wondering IF you have done it properly. My son is a fully qualified french electrician and sometimes sees properties where his Dad is working and has a fit at the DIY the owners have carried out. Remember if there is a fire or a death related to poor unqualified work,insurers will not pay a single centime. Please do not be another BF or P&O electrician.
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05/05/2008, 16:31
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Scooby
Joined on 25/09/2007
Peak District
Posts 252
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Re: Putting in own electrics
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| Val_2 wrote: | | If you are buying a property to renovate here then the one thing you should not skimp on by trying to save money and that is electrical work. Spend some money and get it done properly and safely by a qualified artisan and you will sleep better at night rather than wondering IF you have done it properly. My son is a fully qualified french electrician and sometimes sees properties where his Dad is working and has a fit at the DIY the owners have carried out. Remember if there is a fire or a death related to poor unqualified work,insurers will not pay a single centime. Please do not be another BF or P&O electrician. |
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Agreed - we have had a complete rewire including new fusebox (5 bed, 3 bathroom, 250 m2 house) for less that 4k euro by a french fully qualified and insured electrician. Imho - not worth the hassle / risk of trying to do it ourselves. Plus we have a guarantee if (heaven forbid) there should be a problem.
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France Forum » Building and Re... » House Renovatio... » Putting in own electrics
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