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04/05/2008, 20:38 Nick Trollope Joined on 23/08/2004 Broons, Dept 22 Posts 2,502 Re: Putting in own electrics  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. 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    Report

04/05/2008, 22:32 dr orloff Joined on 13/04/2008 Posts 103 Re: Putting in own electrics 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.    Report

04/05/2008, 23:03 J.R's gone native Joined on 16/07/2006 Picardie, Sussex Posts 2,127 Re: Putting in own electrics  Nick Trollope wrote:  tj wrote: 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! I maintain that there is very little difference between plumbing and electrics, in plumbing the copper or plastic pipe keeps the water inside unless there is a leak, in electrics the insulation keeps the smoke inside until it breaks down    Report

04/05/2008, 23:45 BIG MAC Joined on 25/02/2006 53 Mayenne / Hants Posts 498 Re: Putting in own electrics It's all a wee bit 'Fundamentalist PC' The way the OP is being responded to is it not? 5 posts from joining the board bit early days for 'Robust' reponses maybe........ Wiring a board can be relatively simpledepending upon circumstances / site conditions. Water when it leaks has an uncanny knack of being able to find electrics....... BIG MAC The frying Scotsman    Report

05/05/2008, 6:23 powerdesal Joined on 07/01/2006 Fujeirah, U.A.E Posts 2,354 Re: Putting in own electrics 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 Fujeirah Emirate, U.A.E + 50 (in France) ...........................................................................    Report

05/05/2008, 10:39 jxedwards Joined on 07/11/2004 Lot, South Wales, Sakhalin Island Posts 154 Re: Putting in own electrics 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!!    Report

05/05/2008, 13:36 P2 Joined on 13/09/2006 Posts 322 Re: Putting in own electrics 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    Report

05/05/2008, 15:39 Val_2 Joined on 23/08/2004 Posts 3,192 Re: Putting in own electrics 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.    Report

05/05/2008, 16:31 Scooby Joined on 25/09/2007 Peak District Posts 374 Re: Putting in own electrics  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. 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.    Report

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