Punch

I agree with the last poster that ceilings come first. I do this for a living and we always do the ceilings first - it's much easier believe me! The "furroures" that the ceiling boards are fixed to then give us give us regular fixing points for the top rails of walls. www.punchardrenovation.com

Has the tank got a valve ( like a car tyre valve) anywhere? If so,  it sounds like you need to pressurize the internal membrane with an airline, to about 1.5 bar. http://www.punchardrenovation.com

[quote user="Le_Jars"]I am replacing some electric radiators with new. I bought a couple of a type that I have used before and they use 4 core cable. Now I have undone the connection to the existing old radiators, I see that there are only 2 cables there (in the wall as it were), a live and a neutral. Can I still connect my new radiators to just a live and neutral? If so which two cables do I join? If not, do I have to take the new ones back and find some compatible ones instead? Many thanks in advance. [/quote] Most modern radiators are class 2 rated so do not require an earth connection, but if your radiators have a four core cable (?) ,  it sounds like you may have an earth ? It would be better to post here what colours are the cores in the flex on the radiators.  In radiator flexes black is always used for the "fil pilote" and therfore tape this wire up and do not connect it to anything. Connect the pale blue wire to neutral and the brown wire to phase (live). If the flex has an earth you must really get an earth wire to your connection box to comply with current regs. All this should be in the instructions that came with the new radiators.      

The only earth entering and leaving the "barrette de terre" and main earth rod of an installation should be the main earthing cable for the electrical installation itself. The telephone incoming "test" socket situated in the GTL of new installations has to be earthed with a minimum 4mm size earth wire to the tableau electrique main earth bar. Older installations usually have a earth wire directly into the ground somewhere (as stated earlier in this thread) I believe these earths are for lightning protection purposes.   www.punchardrenovation.com  

See my reply on the "other" forum that you have posted the same question on!

Firstly you need to change the individual circuit protection 10A fuses for 10 or 16 Amp disjoncteurs (circuit breakers ) The regs state that 1.5mm cable feeding 16amp sockets ( maximum 5 per circuit) does not comply if the origins of each circuit are protected by fuses. Secondly, the EDF trip rated at 500milliamp trip gives minimal protection for the whole installation and therfore you need to install at least one and preferably two 30 milliamp trip ID's, between the EDF trip and the tableau electrique to protect all individual circuits in the house. This is often placed in the tableau itself if there is room or if not in a seperate enclosure. Personally, I would suggest you contact a professionel to make sure the installation is correctly done as judging by what you have described above would mean completely re-fitting your tableau electrique. I could go on to make your installation safer,  but you should also make sure you have a good adequate earthing system rated at less than 100 ohms resistance. As a company we carry out what is termed as "mis en securité " of electrical installations in partnership with Promotelec and the Consuel and these are an example of some of the minimum requirements for bringing older installations up to scratch.   www.punchardrenovation.com

Jackie you can do this it will be absolutely fine. Even if the circuit breakers in the tableau electrique unit were 16 amp rated it would still comply with French regulations (but you may as well leave them at 10 amps). All thi is assuming that the installation is in good condition with PVC wires and a good earth. For your information, it is possible now to have up to five 16amp socket outlets on a single radial circuit, using 1.5mm wires and protected by a 16amp circuit breaker. Of course you must also have an interrupteur differentielle rated at 30 milliamp trip current protecting your installation as well.

NOT allowed ! trevoraki summed it up in one sentence. Chessfou -I'm surprised you're still alive [:D] We have installed kitchens for Lapeyre and worked with Mobalpa in the past and it is definetely not allowed and doesn't comply with French regulations!! There is an arret prefectorale about it. (Article 19 of the arrête du 2/8/1977 actually )! Those of you who can read French see below; Mutraria - you had better tackle your kitchen fitters about this as they should know better! Est-il possible de stocker une bouteille dans une cave ? Non, car le butane et propane sont plus lourds que l’air et ont donc tendance à s’accumuler au sol s’il n’y a pas de voie d’évacuation. Ce type de stockage est d’ailleurs interdit. Selon l’arrêté du 2 août 1977 - article 19, « tout local destiné à recevoir des récipients de butane commercial et ne renfermant pas d'appareil d'utilisation doit comporter deux orifices d'au moins 50 cm² d'ouverture chacun, dont l'un en partie basse... ». L’article 20 du même arrêté précise que « les récipients de propane commercial d'une contenance > 6,5 litres doivent être tenus à l'extérieur et séparés des bâtiments d'habitation ». Il n’est donc pas question de stocker du propane à l’intérieur d’une habitation, encore moins dans une cave.   www.punchardrenovation.com  

We grind the tablets up in a small pestle and mortar and then either wrap the powder in some smoked salmon or (whatever else you cat likes) - It's never failed yet!

Thanks for the replies - A great help for me to help explain something to a couple of French friends who asked me what it meant when I mentioned it.

Does anyone know what is the nearest French equivalent expression of  " swings and roundabouts " is please?

Sworn to secrecy I'm afraid and besides I'm going to save it all up for my memoirs ! But here are a couple of incidences that I remember well.... I was at the house of a then well known personage near Beaconsfield ( a cricketer) and as I walked pass the helicopter ( yes helicopter ! ) in the garage, I noticed  foam bubbling out into the garage from under the door. I opened the door and I tell no lies when I say the room was full from floor to the ceiling with foam bubbles! There was a new (Venezuelan or Brazilian I think) au pair who had used  washing up liquid in the machine instead of the liquid detergent which was a definete no no ! It took two hours to rinse the machine through and test it out whilst I chatted up the aupair, mainly with sign language, as she was newly arrived in the country. Don't get me started on bra wires ... One of my favourites and a common fault of machine breakdowns . The amount of times I have removed them from washing machines - and the clients have said what on earth is that? Where did it come from ?? ( The wires come out of the bras and get stuck in the drain pumps blocking the impellers ). Do they still have wires these days ? - (It's been a long time [:D] ) A Regular well known customer of mine who was then only slightly known for her TV ads (and is now a household name -regularly on TV) went red as berry when I explained what the wire was!  She is/was also a naturist as I found out later that week . My then girlfriend worked as a lifeguard at the local pool and Tuesday night was naturists night. I used to collect her from work and what a surprise when the very week I had removed her bra wire, I saw her in the pool and realised then why she needed wires!!  

It depends on what machine it is too. Years ago, I used to be a Miele service engineer working at the homes of the rich and famous ( via the tradesmans entrance of course ! ) when I was also a marathon runner ( those were the days !) but I digress.......... Some machines are a right pig to do but I have recently changed an AEG drum bearing which was a doddle although it is correct that if the drum has been noisy for some time and the spindle has worn, you may be better off scapping it! I also tried to change one once in a customers house in Moor Park ( posh UK area), and the bearing inner race had worn a groove on the spindle, and was well and truly stuck.  I cut it through with a similar tool to a dremel and was prising it off, when it exploded  and shattered the customers huge art deco mirror. [:(] Not one of my best days I can tell you !  

Hi, If your house was correctly wired to French normes then you should have at least one Interrupteur differentielle (ID), rated at 30 milliamps. This is to protect your wiring from earth leakage faults. It is difficult for anyone on this forum to ascertain what happened in your case without knowing your actual setup, but a possibility is that if you have no ID protection on your house circuits, then the EDF trip which is a Disjoncteur Differentielle (DD), rated at either 500ma or 600ma trip, has tripped due to an earth fault leakage, and not perhaps an overload? Gluestick gives some sensible advice but he is not correct in saying  (quote) " Normally, the EDF cut-out is there to protect EDF's circuits from the house. It should trip only really if you have overloaded consumption, according to your specific abonnement." unquote. Not quite the full story .....The EDF trip performs another very important function, that is of earth leakage protection as well as overcurrent protection. In my experience the main cause of earth leakage trips tripping out is always to do with water - kettle elements, washing machines, outside lights etc etc. The only other reason for the EDF trip to have tripped is (as stated) is if you have exceeded your EDF abbonnement KW total . One last thing is that the old type black EDF type trips ( with red and green button ? ) tend to be quite temperemental . I often get the EDF to change them to the newer grey box type. Take the sensible advice given by others and get it checked out anyway! Best of luck [:)] Paul.  

Anyone fancy a drink? hic [B] http://www.punch.com Or a good laugh [:)] http://www.punch.co.uk/    

As stated, the Velux rotation model (normally with the code GGL) protrudes more into the room than the top hinged model (code GHL) . The advantage of the top hinged model is that they are better suited for lower installation in the roofspace, as you you can literally walk right into the window and have & panoramic view to the outside, whereas the GGL you have to duck a bit to actually look outside. Both models rotate for easy cleaning of the glass from inside, so that is not an issue. Clairs photo is a great example of where the GHL (panoramic velux) would be best suited as you would have a great view by being able to walk into the window and have it open from the top hinges. Obviously the GGL is cheaper. One thing to bear in mind is the type of glass you opt for ; There are three grades; standard , confort, et grand confort. With increasing emphasis on fuel energy savings and the new energy diagnostics for all house sales, I would consider this carefully. All Velux models can be installed from within the roof space with no need to climb up onto the roof. I install quite a few on a regular basis and would not recommend other makes apart from Velux, but that is only my opnion. Velux give a long glass guarantee and I have replaced parts on Velux windows that are over 20 years old, so after sales service and parts availability is excellent.  A certian amount of skill is required especially for the flashings on the exterior, but a competent DIYer should be able to manage an installation in half a day, depending on the size. There are a whols host of innovative ideas on the Velux website   http://www.velux.fr

Yes my two girls are looking forward to seeing "Hermione" from Harry Potter fame in it!

Has anyone had the misfortune to come across this roofing firm in France and did they live up to their reputation [:)] ? [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/scan.jpg[/IMG]

Lovely photos - keep 'em coming .  I love early morning photography and am out and about very early in the course of my work so occasionally stop and take photos of scenes that take my breath away sometimes. It certainly beats what I used to see on the M25 10 years ago! This is the from highest point in Mayenne [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/Landscapes/CopiedeDSCF0017.jpg[/IMG] These were from last Christmas in Mayenne when we had some snow! These first two are the main road that links Mayenne to Ernee [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/976087a6.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/e042ec30.jpg[/IMG] Leaving for work from my place in the morning [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/532eb25b.jpg[/IMG] And as it is currently teaming down outside - this one from a couple of months ago always cheers me up. It's a local farmer who planted a wild flower meadow and then left a box in the field for donations for a local charity. That box was full of money by the end of October, isolated and vulnerable but it's contents were never stolen. [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/d3fce521.jpg[/IMG]    

[quote user="WJT"] Punch, I haven't been able to access your site. Yesterday, I did access a site used as a demo for a camera, it is amazing and I am very envious.[:)] [/quote] Ok if you let me know what happens when you click the link I'll try to help you out. You should be getting a purple login screen if you have allowed Active X . I will be adding some night vision cameras soon so will be interesting to see what comes and goes in the night !    

I do quite a bit of remote access CCTV systems in France. If anyone wants to take a look at  a simple system log into http://192.168.1.108  This is the login for a digital video recorder . Login name = france password = france On your first visit to access the system you need to allow unsigned Active X on your PC - This is to allow you access to the client software to control the cameras. You must have IE version 6 or higher. Click on the no1 for camera number one which is a remote pan tilt and zoom system . When you have the image up on screen right click it to get the PTZ controls. You can then have a "live" look around . Please be patient if the system does not respond - this usually means too many people have (or are trying to) use the system at any one time. You need power for any type of system . If anyone requires any further info please PM me. Please leave the PTZ camera back on the bird table when you have finished! System will be disabled later this evening for privacy purposes. Website will be open soon   Paul.      

I think there seems to be some confusion about three phase supplies.............. Unless you have three phase motors or specialist equipment that needs three phase , there is absolutely NO BENEFIT to the end user( ie; you the customer) of having a three supply supply into your house. In fact you are at an immediate disadvantage. Three phase supplies are usually to benefit the EDF so that their distribution network stays balanced . This is especially important in rural areas where the end user may ne quite some distance from the nearest pole mouted or roadside transformer, and the voltage drops for the EDF would result in problems for them. Let me explain why you are disadvantaged by having three phase; Here are two main reasons . If you have a 9KW single phase supply, you can draw a little over 9KW from this supply before the EDF disj will trip. Whereby if you have a 9KW three phase supply your electrical installation has to be wired and balanced over the three phases and this means that if you draw a little more then 3KW over any one of the three phases your EDF disj will trip. Believe me this is one of the major disadvantages and it is quite difficult to manage this balancing effectively, without clever use of circuitry and controls. Reason two is quite simple - The voltage levels are much higher 380/400 volts between any two phases and this can be very dangerous to have in a domestic situation. Many DIY installers simply do not realise how much danger they are placing their loved ones in when attempting to work on such installations. The EDF will often dictate whether this is possible to convert to single phase - usual maximum on single phase is 12KW.

[quote user="La Guerriere"] There is also an interesting effect if you have an electric chauffe-eau. You are sitting in the bath, topping up merrily with hot water, when the thermostat decides it is time to warm the tank. It is at this point that if you have a low abonnement, you are suddenly cast into outer darkness. Deep joy !   [/quote]   Not if you are clever enough to have a "delesteur" installed in your tableau electrique. I recommend them to my clients who wish to have the benefits of a low KW abbonnement (and thus a lower standing charge from the EDF).  The French have been using them for years. Not many Brits know about them so we try to sell their benefits when doing electrical installations. A delesteur is a clever box that can be set to tempoary switch off non priority circuits when you reach your EDF prescribed limit in KW. Properly set up you will rarely have to re-set the EDF disjoncteur ! Our Uk imported friend the electric kettle is probably responsible for more trip outs than anything else. A Delesteur will sense when you plug in your 3KW kettle and can then switch off your chauffe eau ( or whaetever else you want) just whilst the kettle boils and then automatically switch it back on again once the kettle has boiled. More and more people are now having the main EDF disjoncteur placed togther with the EDF meter in the coffret outside, on the limits of their land - in fact if the distance is more than 30 metres it is obligatory now, so if you want to avoid long trips down the garden to re-set the EDF trip - try a delesteur - trust me I know !! http://www.punchardrenovation.com

double post please remove

[quote user="Nick Trollope"]Thanks both. It certainly pays to keep up with the government. When did these come into force? [/quote] I think they came in around Febuary just after the 5.5% rate of TVA was extended to 2010 . CAPEB our trade organisation sent us copies and then gave us the link to the gov; website  that I posted for you . No need to get a photocopy, just save the PDF file to your PC and you will always have a copy ready to print off on your PC. In fact if my clients have email , I just attach the form as an attachment and then they can print it off  - saves trees too!   Paul. http://www.punchardrenovation.com