Punch
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Posts posted by Punch
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[quote user="Cassis"]It's not really that interesting a read, Punch. [:)]
It's one of a series of guides published by Korrigan Press here in France. What it says in the introduction to the section on adding extra sockets:
Les Dérivations
Chaque fois que c'est possible, effectuez un branchement en dérivation au moyen d'une boîte de dérivation, en veillant à bien respecter la continuité de couleur des conducteurs. Ceux du nouveau circuit doivent avoir une section inférieure d'au moins un pas; par exemple : raccordez des fils de 1,5mm2 sur un circuit de 2,5mm2.En aucun cas, la section des fils rajoutés ne doit être supériuere à ceux sur lesquels vous vous greffez.
The italics and colour are as per the original text for emphasis - not added by me.
PS If this is a load of bollocks contrary to French regs then sue the publisher, not me![/quote]
LOL nice answer Cassis - If I didn't have to get the kids breakfast, light the fires, load the van, stack the log delivery etc etc, I would try to find the actual regulation that contradicts that - but hey I have another life too!
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What I meant to say was that " The extension wires should be the same cross sectional area as the existing wires, or larger ". Definetely not smaller. What kind of manual have you got Cassis I'd love to read it !
As an example. If the existing feeds to the socket are 2.5mm and backed up by say a 20amp fuse of circuit breaker, and then the wires are extended with 1.5mm cable, in the event of an overload or a fault, the 1.5mm wires become the weakest link and could overheat and cause a fire. Unlikely I agree, but possible, but then again many electrical fires are caused by unlikely faults occuring!
It's strange that as a professional i've stated the correct proceedure regarding the regulations, (which after all are there to protect you from your own devices) and then a post appears that suggest to do things that don't comply. Basically what Anton suggests is a bodge. I've seen all sorts of bodges and what is more worrying is if you are not prepared to do an electrical job properly then why do it at all? Perhaps I'm wrong and I've been kidding myself over the years, but any trademan worth his salt would say cutting corners like this is just the start of a slippery slope downhill.
For god's sake man it's only a 20mm hole through a wall ! If it's a parpaing wall you can knock this through with a pointed chisel in a matter of minutes.
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[quote user="Alane"]
Have you thought of writing an English language book on French electrical installation work? The number of Brits carrying out work on their homes in France must now be high enough to make it worthwhile for a publisher.
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Yes I have, but at present I have the knowledge but not the know how! Anyone who can help on the publishing side please PM me! Translation is not a problem as my technical French is very good and I speak reasonably fluent French.
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[quote user="Nearly Retired"]
Thanks for the ideas so far. When I get back I'll take a look at the existing wiring size and then match it - that bit shouln't be difficult. Does the gaine (trunking) need to be of specific type or will a bit of white plastic surface trunking do? I've got plenty of that. If I have to I will, but I don't really want to be buying a minimum amount (guess a few metres?) when all I want is 15cm at the very most.
Another thought - I've got some off-cuts of black plastic sheathed cable for external wiring - subject to size, will that comply I wonder? I'm guessing that will still need to go in gaine. Right?
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Should be proper gaine really. White plastic surface trunking is not suitable. It's a shame because I throw away loads of off-cuts on a weekly basis. Do you not know anyone who has a bit left over?
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[quote user="nicktrollope"]
They must be fitted in gaine, but you could use 3x1.5mm fils & 16mm gaine.
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Good advice Nick about the gaine, but ..... It depends on the size of the wires in the existing socket. The extension wires to the new socket should be the same size as or equal to the original wiring. This would be fine of course if the existing socket wiring is 1.5mm already.
If the socket is wired in 2.5mm, you could either put a piece of 20mm gaine through the wall with 3 x 2.5mm wires or to save some space and drill a slightly smaller hole, you could put a piece of 3 core 2.5mm sheathed cable in 16mm gaine. It is a tight fit but for a section this short it will be ok.
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Wow, popped out to replace some ridge tiles on a roof and come back to whole list of helpful options!
Thanks for all the replies I now have pdf995 installed and I will also take a look at Open Office although I probably won't need to change now that I have the converter installed.
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Hi
I want to send some word documents to someone but if I send them as standard Word docs they can (I assume) be edited by the other person . I am assuming that if I converted them to PDF files, then this would make them un-editable? So my question is how do I do this? Do I need to buy a programme file converter or something?
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Yes if it's Ok with Forum Admin , I don't mind compiling some kind of Topic list with the basic items and regulations. I've been familiar with the French wiring regulations since I bought my property here over 17 years ago. I have now been working here in France with the French system now for over 10 years and have a full working hardcopy of the French NFC 15-100 Regulations, and a good working knowledge of them, but I am always learning as I go as the regulations are updated and evolve !
Paul Punchard.
Ets PUNCHARD.
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Yes Have to agree it was quite amusing. I can't help thinking that James May has gained some of his personaility traits from Jeremy Clarkson. I don't know how Oz has restrained himself from throttling him ! Should get interesting!
Actually in August this year we were following the two of them in their Jag down a beautifull coast road near Port Vendres on the way to the Spanish border (partially shown last night), and it suddenly stopped and tried to do do a U turn whilst blocking the traffic in both directions, and causing us to break sharply. We gave them a glare and then recognised James but we puzzled as to who the Bald Paul Daniels' father lookalike was. It was obvious they were lost and looked like they were arguing!
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Price varies depending on the area, length of run, and even down to whoever comes to price. The first step is to get the EDF out for an appointment. They will then send you a Devis.
Paul. -
I'm not so sure Dick about making life easier.... Their main "selling point" in terms of the wiring regs was safety. That is to say that Joe public do not have to touch any part of the fixed wiring to change a light fitting as the DCL boxes have a plug and socket. In terms of installation, they are very fiddly and they have to be supported from above, which makes installation more costly than a standard job.
DCL type boxes have been obligatory on new installations for nearly two years now. Just a word of warning about safety if anyone is going to use them in a plasterboard ceiling; Most of them have lugs that fix them to the plasterboard, which is NOT enough to support hanging a chandelier or heavy light fitting. They should also be fixed above to the building structure to support the weight of the light fitting that hangs from the hook .
The DCL back boxes have a 6/8mm threaded insert in the centre and this should have a short piece of threaded rod which is then attached to the building structure above. There are a few other methods of fixing them, the one I like most and use often, is a thin cable system with a threaded bolt. The bolt attaches to the DCL box and then the cable is attached to a hook above, normally installed before the plasterboard is put up. Then at the installation stage, the cable can be pulled from below and takes up the tension thus supporting the box.
The French wiring regulations state that the box should be able to support a MINIMUM of 25KG !!
Paul.
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In reality and in my experience, the Consuel rarely check for NF marking. Most inspectors go on their gut reaction and can usually tell a mile off if anything is untoward in an installation. I have just had my 22nd Consuel inspection and as usual they are hot on earthing , polarity , The GTL, correct number of points, Type A:Type AC differentielles etc. etc . . All gaines for ceiling lighting points have to terminate in a DCL type box which is should be supported from above to accept a weight of 25Kg. I regluarly go to trade meetings and the last one I attended was a Promotelec/Consuel Q & A session, and it was agreed that this is not always possible or practical and there are dispensations allowable for some instances. Typically the bods who write the regs, don't always consider the practicalities of putting them into practice!
Paul.
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[quote user="St Amour"][quote user="Russethouse"]
One of the first things I remember was a desperate search in the Uk for some toy that Punch's daughters really really wanted for Christmas, it had everyone scouring the shops !
Thanks for the kind words, Punch.
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Yes Gay it was some Disney thing that I was going to bring out for him when we came for Christmas but although I went into the Disney store in Regent Street and most Argos and Toysrus in Herts and central and North London I never did manage to get it for him.
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Yes it was a Minnie Mouse Disney projector - never did find it! Must have been rarer than a Tracey Island!!
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[quote user="Lindsey2"][quote user="Lori"]I'm pretty new to the forum, but am curious if anyone knows whether Mazan is/was from Mazan. The village by the same name is about 10 minutes from my house. It is home to my daughter's college. [/quote]
I've been hanging around since pretty early on, and I can state that Mazan is/was most definitely of the male variety, and yes, I believe he did/does hail from the eponymous village.
I miss him too, also Punch, Bee, Dunkie, Jem..... and a certain young lady who used to go by the name of Abrivado, and was so much more enthusiastic back then!.........[/quote]Well theres's some Forum names I havn't heard for a few years ! Well for anyone else that remembers me, here's a quick summary of my previous .......
There were only two other Forum members when I first joined this Forum . I was a very active member at one time and had a few thousand posts clocked up at one point (which were wiped off when the Forum changed it's format a while back), mostly offering advice and sharing info of my experiences of living here, bringing up young children here, and setting up running a business with employees. Unfortunately, a while back work, health, and family commitments meant I didn't have much free time for the Forum and I was also finally driven away by some quite vitriolic postings, and too much one-upmanship going on, so I just sat back and watched rather than post.
I Brought my house here in France around 16 years ago from an advert in issue No 2 of Living France (Or French Living as I think it was then called), and I can still picture Trevor Yorke, then then editor and Founder, sitting on his tractor in France with his kids around him ready for his new life here. I was very young at the time (28) and when we moved here we didn't see anyone our own ages living here with young children for the next 5 years or so. I am convinced it was the sudden proliferation of TV programmes in the last five years of so that changed all that.
Well there is loads more to share (perhaps another time?) and boy has it been a rollercoaster ride but just like to say I am still here and think Gay and the other mods deserve a medal for helping keep this forum alive and in some kind of order.
Lindsy2 -what was your previous pyseudonym ? Regarding Mazan, I remember a posting from Mazan a few years back that said after his mother died from cancer, he inherited her cats and gardening tools, and his spare time was spent pottering around and looking after the house. He also said that one day when the cats have gone he would leave and go and live permanently in the far East, which he had a love for, so maybe that's where he is now?
Punch.
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Jim Davidson is another architect who is in Mayenne and registered. His no. is +33 (0)243040240 Fax No; +33 (0)243081660
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Thanks everyone for the useful info- I've never liked the livebox but will probably hang on to it until next summer. In the meantime I have found this geeky link! It gives some great ways of extending wifi range using kitchen utensils!!
http://www.usbwifi.orcon.net.nz/
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Does anyone know if it's possible to extend the range of Wifi coverage from a Livebox with some kind of booster? Coverage at one end of the house is less than satisfactory and I would also like to extend coverage externally for summer use in the garden. Has anyone had similar problems?
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[quote user="Tresco"]
Punch, you've been around for a while haven't you? You know the score - at this time of the night?
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There were two or three other members when I joined the forum so yep i've been around for a while but never really participated at this sodding hour - so do I buy another fivers worth of Wifi access or sleep! Must admit it's quite fun to have the whole lounge to myself!
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Actually I'm stowing away upstairs in the club class bar as the laptop needs a power supply ( shhhhhhh don't tell anyone!) I used to do the same thing in the cinema on BF ! (Looks like I'm about to be kicked out !) I've got seat 587 down below and yes I am wearing my green sticker! Boat is not rocking too much - whisky in glass is staying fairly level!
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Ok I admit that I havn't read any of the other posts here BUT I have insomnia and am writing this from the club class lounge on LD lines (my first trip on this carrier) , on the way back to Le Havre at nearly 2 am in the morning . Somebody should tell Mr Gehanne that 5 quid for 3 hrs Wifi internet access is abominable! You get 24 hrs for that in Costa Cofee (??) in the UK. Otherwise Pierre very satisfied , and I willnot be renewing my BF property owners card this year. Anybody there with insomnia too ?
Paul
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I have one in the van and it says on the package " Ensemble complet de vidange bagnoire automatique par simple pression de pied" It is made by Ecoul. If you do a search using the above criteria you will no doubt find a shorter meaning as this one I have is a few months old now.
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Just to give you an update on progress with this machine for those of you who where kind enough to offer advice and help....
Well amazingly I managed to get the thing to boot up past the bios password to the XP windows user account screen . I did this more by chance then error by pressing both F8 and escape at the same time on boot up. I am SO glad I didn't take the case apart as I had started too but chickened out when I couldn't prise the case off! I was ready to bin the thing at one point after someone Pm'ed me saying it was almost irreparable!
Anyway there then remained the user account windows XP password to overcome. Well after a long conversation with Clarks in France last night, it seemd that this wasn't going to be easy either. We couldn't resolve it not without further research - but thanks to the gentleman concerned for all his patience
I won't say how I eventually got the password as it wouldn't be fair to post such information but I did manage get in and log on and then reset users and new password, I then noticed the machine was strippped of most of it's useful programmes so I did a system restauration back to may this year which recovered such usefull programs as Excel, word, autocad, etc. So for 220 euros a working P4 Laptop!
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Thanks Will much appreciated.
Unfortunately, the password is asked for even before I can boot up to Windows, so I have sneaky suspicion that it is bios linked . I would assume therefore that those fixes won't work as they seem to be for forgotten windows user passwords only.
I am beginning to feel this could get complicated!
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Thanks Albert, much appreciated. The links you posted seem to suggest that I need to go in - but I am not sure of a couple of things ;
I am not sure if the the instructions for re-setting the bios jumpers on the motherboard are the right instructions for this model? And also I know it seems daft but I have never owned a laptop and am unsure of how to get the case undone . I have removed all the screws on the underside but would prefer some advice before trying to get it apart . I noticed that there are two removable covers that give easy access to the hard drive and the memory - but I assume I will need to get in deeper by removing the case?
Wanted - a basic guide to electrics
in House Renovations
Posted
I have two books,
"L'Electricite pas a pas" as mentioned here, and,
"Maitriser l'Electricite", both bought from Leclerc for about €6 each. Plenty of good diagrams and easy text.
Only thing I've NOT found in them was a detailed description of the difference between a type A and a type AC, RCD., which I've now found out, partly off here, partly from a UK sparky.
My plumber, who is also an electrician, looked at them closely, and pronounced both sound..
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I too wondered about the difference between a type A and AC but explainations don't give any real clues.
I know the type A is for washing machines and electric hobs but nowhere does it explain what the reason for their choice is.
Both the AC and A have differential and over current detection but what is it about an electric hob and/or a washing machine that makes a type A a special requisite?
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OK here is a brief explanation;
Houses today are equipped more and more with domestic appliances which include electronic speed variation likely to generate small DC (direct current ) faults to earth.(variable speed increase washing machines for instance).
The Type A disjoncteur differentielle should be used on dedicated circuits (such as the aforementioned appliance) and also for electric induction hobs, cookers, washing machines, whose operation could produce residual DC currents. These type A breakers, whilst still giving you protection from earth fault currents, stop nuisance tripping of the device when these types of appliances are in use.
The standard type, AC would be used on all other circuits ( prises de courant, lumieres, etc etc).
Paul Punchard.