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House Renovations
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 15/10/2007, 9:51
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Ron Avery
Joined on 29/11/2004
Posts 3,099
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Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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What John means is that it is far easier to change the plugs than the sockets.
Yes you can use UK sockets they may be safe in the UK but in France could be lethal if you don't know what you are doing. French electrics and UK electrics are completely different, there are no ring mains, I don't understand the system so I don't touch it. I have never seen a switched socket in France perhaps others have, but there are no fused plugs, the fuse protects the circuit not the appliance. On a lot of appliances, apart from the earth it matters not which wire goes to which terminal on the plug, others will explain how that works, so if you use switched UK sockets how would you know which position is off?
Driven away by an idiot
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15/10/2007, 9:54
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Gluestick
 
Joined on 22/03/2006
UK and Nord Pas de Calais
Posts 2,342
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![Smile [:)]](/cs/images/emotions/smile.gif)
Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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Oh boy!
I can't wait until Nick sees this question!
Simply put, UK sockets are designed for a totally different system.
Now having had much to do with Telcom/Datacom from the early 1980s, I thought and still do think that BT's silly telephone sockets are far inferior to the original Bell system. Indeed, the majority of current telecom and datacom products use the Bell system plugs and sockets; even BT's telephones!
However, in order to connect to the public telephone network, one is compelled to use BT type silly sockets and plugs: 'cos it's the regulations.
If you did press ahead and fit UK sockets and continue to use your appliances on UK plugs, then the following realities would apply:
1. In the case of fire caused by electrical wiring/appliances then your underwriters would repudiate your claim:
2. You wouldn't be able to sell your house, without re-installing French sockets, wall patrices and etc:
3. If someone was killed from a mains shock, then you would be criminally liable and thrown in jail:
What is it you don't understand about "Don't Comply"?
"Yes, but that apart, Mrs Lincoln, did you enjoy the play?"
Gluestick
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15/10/2007, 10:57
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Iceni
Joined on 23/08/2004
Lot 46
Posts 2,906
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Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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 ColinE wrote: | |
Hi
Sorry do not understand you, why have I asked the wrong question? I think the English socket are a lot better than the French, a lot safer in my opinun, I could do the change myself, where would I find out if they comply with French regs.
ColinE
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You ask if something is possible then say that you could do the change yourself - so why ask as you know the answer? hence my suggesting that you asked the wrong question
As regards French regs - it is irrelevant whether in your opinion English sockets are better, safer or prettier, they do not comply. Where to find out French regs ? You could start by reading the relevant section on this forum. Just remember - ignorance is no excuse for not knowing.
John
not
Di
Free resource site for new and aspiring Virtual Workers
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15/10/2007, 17:26
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Gyn_Paul
Joined on 23/08/2004
La Creuse - God's own Dept.
Posts 1,164
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Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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In order to comply with the French regulations all electrical
components installed here must comply to the 'Normes Francaises' and have a little NF
symbol on it as proof. Yes - I know that some stuff only has a CE
symbol, but (trust me, I know from bitter experience) if there
was a Consuel inspector present he would fail an installation which
contains stuff without NF on it.
You will not - by definition - find a 13A socket, plug, or pattress with 'NF' stamped on it and here is the reason why.
Quite apart from the usual spur v ring argument, the English system
fuses only the live (both in the
distribution box and in the plug), and makes a common rail for the
neutral. Both of these principles are interdit in France.
You cannot mix and match bits of UK and bits of French electrical
systems anymore than you can drive on the right over here, oh, except
for roundabouts because you prefer going round in a clockwise direction.
French insurance companies are, however, quite like UK ones in that
they will grasp with both hands the slightest opportunity which
provides them with an excuse to wriggle out of paying a claim. You
would be handing them one on a plate.
You're in France. Go buy a box of French plugs and a decent pair of wire cutters!
p
"Don't think of them as problems, think of them as opportunities."
"OK, I think I've hit an insurmountable opportunity!"
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18/10/2007, 9:17
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le rouge
Joined on 15/11/2005
Posts 55
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Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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Just a quick thanks to La Guerriere and the Admin for putting this together a while back.
I printed it off some time ago knowing it would be useful to me when I started my renovations. I am no electrician and so am getting the 'experts' in. My French is pretty good but when it comes to technical terms I dont know them in English yet alone French. Ok I know applique, prise, chauff-eau etc but this came to my aid very nicely.
I now know what a VMC is and what a fil pilote does!
We could do with a few more of these glossarys to help us 'newbies'.
Now in France!!
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28/11/2007, 20:28
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robbie
Joined on 18/06/2006
Posts 60
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Re: FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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My understanding is that they do not comply with French regs and therefore in the case of a fire, the finger may be pointed to the english hardwire socket(s).
A better idea I think is to have several English extn leads dotted around the house and simply change the plug to a French one. That way when you leave or go home or out you can then simply remove the plug and there will be no backl;ash from an insurance company in the event of something going wrong
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France Forum » Building and Re... » House Renovatio... » FAQ - FRENCH ELECTRICS GLOSSARY
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