Punch

[quote user="westland"] Many thanks for your advice.  The devis hasn't really been specific and as we are only costed up for 200 euros plus tax for the line and heater I am assuming it is for a basic convector as mentioned by Punch.  The ones that I have been looking at do say they are class 2 so you have explained why the earth shouldn't be used, presumably if there is an earth wire at the socket this is just left to one side. Just as an extra question there seem to be a few sockets with two sets of each colour of wire, is this normal? Kate. [/quote]   Kate,  as you say the earth wire should be just sealed off and left inside the box if using a class 2 appliance. The two wires as each socket are normal because it is a pair of wires feeding into the socket and a pair out to the next socket.

Having a similar problem with Livebox . I improved my signal enormously by putting the livebox more central to the house and also upstairs. I have been also looking at the latest Netgear DG834PN Router Modem which apparently has seven internal ariels and deflects the signal around the house using MiMO technology at 108mbps as opposed to 54 . These say it improves the range enormously and I would be interested to hear from anyone who has tried this router.    

[quote user="westland"] We are now able to start using the bathroom in our small extension and I am hoping that someone can pass on a bit of electrical advice.  We have been costed up on the devis for an electric convector in the bathroom only, however the electrician didn't seem to be aware of this and although he had positioned wiring approx 25cms from the floor on one wall we found that he has just put a socket front onto the wires.  I asked if it was suitable for a heater and he said yes and it has its own fuse switch at the box.   Ok to get to the point, don't know whether to refer him to the devis and ask him to fit one for us, although this is likely to be a very basic heater, or to shop around to find the most suitable one ourselves.  What's a bit worrying is that looking at products on the internet it seems that we can't just stick a plug on as they have to be wired through a "box".  Also not sure why they all seem to say that the earth wire should not be used.  So any advice would be welcome. Thanks Kate. [/quote] The type, make and puissance (wattage) of the heater should have been marked on the devis. Either it says he is supplying the heater or not, so you should be clear about this by looking at your devis. Electric heaters come in a huge variety of types and styles ranges from the basic convector (60 euros) to high tech containing ceramic and refractrory materials inside ( 250 euros or more). Most heaters these days are class 2 rated and therefore do not need (and shouldn't be) connected to earth. But anything that is not class 2 MUST be earthed. He may have wired a fil pilote ( an extra control wire) to the wall outlet for the heater which enables you to control the heater more precisely and remotely using a programmer. The French regs say that any fixed appliance such as a heater should be connected via a boitier de connection ( flex outlet box) and not by plug and socket. This is easy to do as you just remove the wall socket from the wiring and fix an outlet plate instead. If the heater is not class 2 then it must be installed in zone 3 which is at least 60cm from a bath or shower, otherwise it may be installed (belive it or not) right next to the bath. One final point ; all circuits to a salle de bain must be protected by a Inter differentielle but all new installations these days usually are. Paul.    

Has the house also been rewired or has the tableau electrique just been upgraded to a modern one? If the latter, then it is possible that you have a secondary block of fuses or even another tableau electrique somewhere else in the house. It is difficult to comment without seeing the installation.    

You're welcome Dago! I think they are brilliant and once you have one you wonder how you ever managed before. En plus it is quite easy (and safer) for a female to happily split logs with these machines as before my wife couldn't lift the axe let alone swing it !

[quote user="cooperlola"]My Toshiba CD deck, and my Pioneer tape deck - both nearly 30.[/quote] I worked as a servive engineer for Miele (many moons ago) and once came across a 700 series washing machine which was 14 years old. The (rich) customer had binned it and bought a new one. I removed a bra wire (which was jamming the drain pump) replaced all the hoses on it which were perished, and fitted a new sealing kit for the drain pump and it is still running well 10 years later ( at my mum's house!) , 24 years - not bad for a washing machine! I also have a lovely stereo bush radio that I bought from Dixons when I was about 16 years old - I now use it as a builders radio on renovation jobs we do - still going strong after ******* years.  

[quote user="Ford Anglia"] http://www.outiror.fr/catalogue/detail_produit.php?id=24 Is that electric one going for €74.99, ? Wow, where can I get one? Oh and fibreglass handles? Mine WILL NOT retain the splitter head, it constantly slides down the handle.[:@] I've finally knocked it into place and retained it with a small self-tapper. [/quote]   No it's 299 euros if you look closely! But still a good investment IMHO.

I have had one of these for over 8 years now and running two woodburners I would be lost without it - 300 euros (not 600 as previously mentioned) is a good investment. It makes micemeat of logs up to quite a size with 4 ton pressure. The camion passes by my village on Saturday so if anyone wants one please contact me and I shall gladly collect it if funds can be sorted. The only thing I would say is that if the logs are over 50 cm they won't fit ! http://www.outiror.fr/catalogue/detail_produit.php?id=24

[quote user="Deimos"] When buying an interrupteur differentail for a 3 phase supply, does the rating apply to each phase or all three phases. i.e. if purchasing a 40A one, does this men 40A per phase (i.e. 120A in total is all phases are running at their limit) or 40/3 per phase or 40 A total across all three phases (i.e. phase 1 load + phase 2 load + phase 3 load cannot exceed 40A). Ian [/quote] It applies to the individual current it can pass through either pole. ie; a 40amp one will take up to 40 amps via each phase. As an example, If your EDF supply was three phase 12 kw (or 60 amps) , and you wanted to fit a three phase inter diff, it would be rated at 20 amps 4 pole. Or you coulf fit a 32 amp 4 pole - it makes no difference.  

[quote user="shimble"]it may sound dumb but i am trying to work out if i need to earth the rails that hold the placo platre in the salle de baine and cuisine if anyone has any ideas or experience it would be appreciated[/quote]   On our Consuel inspections,  we are told by the inspector that it is not a requirement of the French regs in a salle de bain to earth the metallic rails if they are not exposed, and are going to be covered by placo. However huisserie metallic (metal door frames) must be locally bonded. If you do decide to earth the metal rails then it is a good idea to make sure that they are all fixed together as one, either with self drilling screws or with a dedicated crimping tool. If you have passed cables behind or through the rails in these areas, then it wouldn't be a bad idea to earth the rails in these areas into the local equipotential bonding. Personally I don't like to see conduits or cables passing through the sharp holes in metal stud and avoid doing this especially in bathrooms. Remember that the minimum wire size for this is 2.5mm enclosed in conduit or 4mm if not enclosed, and all exposed metallic parts (with some exceptions ) must be bonded together which includes any socket outlets and metallic light fittings that are NOT class II. On no account must the metallic casings of class II appliances be bonded to earth. Metal aeration grills for instance don't need to be bonded. Not wishing to go on but please also be aware of the different zones in bathrooms which have strict criteria about what electrical equipment can be installed.

[quote user="Ford Anglia"] The above post is interesting Paul. That was my understanding, if I ever stopped to think about it, but I just bought what the books said[;-)] That said, why is it, then, that INTERRUPTEUR differentielles are current rated? When I bought mine, they seemed to be available in 30A and 45A.[8-)] [/quote] They are current rated because they have to pass the full load curent of the installation through them and so a 25 amp one for example would have smaller terminals and use up less copper in manufacturing than a 63 amp one - hence would be cheaper to buy .  If you tried to pass 60 amps through a 25 amp one, it would get very hot and probably burn out but would not necesarily trip out like a disjonctuer diff. Hope this helps, Paul.  

Hi Teamedup, I can help you here.  I set my computer up a while back to be able to do azerty and qwerty and the keystrokes to change between were Alt + shift. Try it and see if this is what you maybe have keyed inadvertently ? I think you can set this up in control panel. Paul  

You need the interupteur diff and not the disjoncteur diff. The difference between the two....... An Interrupteur Differentiel or (RCB  in UK) gives your circuit earth fault protection only and works by measuring the flow and return currents in a circuit. If there is any fault current flowing to earth, it will trip out all that is connected to it. There are two mains types, Type A and type AC (although other type exist too). A Disjoncteur differentiel has all the same properties as above but also gives overload and short circuit protection to the circuit. So basically a disj diff is a combined unit. They are usually much more expensive that a standard inter diff. The EDF incoming unit is a good example of a Disj diff, as it affords earth fault protection at 500 milliamps trip current together with overload protection to whatever current you have subscribed to - ie; 30amp, 45amp, 60 amp etc. Paul.      

Just to add........ Despite them still being sold all over the place, Fixation à griffes ( the claw type switch and socket fixings), have been interdit  in the French wiring regulations for around 2+ years now. All sockets and switches should be fixed securely to the back box with screws . I can only assume that there must be millions of the old type left in circulation that manufactuerers are trying to get rid of. They are terrible with griffes (especially sockets that take a lot of tugging).So if you want a decent installation that will last don't use griffes. In general the Consuel at the moment won't pick up on this, but at my last Consuel inspection last week , the inspector said they are beginning to implement this regulation more strictly.

Cassis I think I can explain why this is. Having a business here in France for several years, I got fed up with the poor customer service from Wanadoo/Orange  until a French friend of mine who runs a restaurant told me to change my account to a compte pro, and she was correct - I now get much better service, albeit for a slightly higher abbonnement. Anyway, I also get a Livebox pro - which is basically a black livebox with a few extra RJ45 ports . What I also got with it were some documentation on registereing my office/ business as a WiFi hotspot and some window stickers to advertise the fact. Once you agree to be a Hotspot you are automatically listed in the directories as being a Wifi hotspot in your dept. I haven't read the docs that came with it but maybe there is some financial incentive to being a Hotspot provider?

[quote user="Dc"] Our tank is in a very cold part of the house is it worth lagging the tank to keep the water hotter or would I be wasting my time. Any advice greatly appreciated. regards dc   [/quote] Tank itself won't need lagging unless it is very old; Most French chauffe eaus have a polystyrene insulation between inner and outer metal skin and problems will only occur when the tank is left cold and unused , whereby draining down is the better option. It would be worth lagging the pipes of course where they enter/exit the C/E.  

[quote user="Teamedup"] Punch he doesn't have to. As you are replacing they already have your details and there is no requirement for the photos to be signed, Quillan mentioned this too.   Incidentally did the gendarmes let you do a declaration de perte for the Carte de Sejour. Our local gendamerie refused as the titre de sejour is no longer obiligory. This didn't suite us at all and our Mairie did one for us. [/quote]   Hi Teamedup, A lady from the Consulate range me back this morning to say that it would be better to get signed photos done again as they may reject the application, although she said the original of my birth certificate and a covering letter may suffice. I'm not sure which is better to be honest? Risk losing the original of the BC or waiting to see the quack ?? If I go by the book then the phtos seem necessary. Any ideas what would be the best option? The Commisariate de Police were less than helpful yesterday but the Process verbal mentions the loss of carte de sejour. I also went to the Prefecture yesterday to apply for replacement CdS and of course they said it wasn't necessary and they don't issue them anymore. I pressed on explaining my reasons why I wanted a French style ID carte and they reluctantly admitted that they still have to issue them if they are specifically asked for. Often when I am asked for two pieces of ID here in France, I feel more French handing over a Permis de conduire and a CdeS than my Uk passport - besides the CdeG is a handy size too to carry around. Problem is we are snowed in today and can't get back to Prefecture to see the same lady - and strike whilst the iron's hot - sods law will mean I'll get the other old bat next time who talks loudly at any expat as if they are stupid and can't understand simple words.          

Yep got a mortgage for 16K from Credit Mutuel recently.

I concur with Chrispp that it is definetely fouine poo. I come across it almost on a weekly basis in lofts and when we uncover roofs for renewal. The worst thing is that when a fouine finds a nice cosy loft to settle in then tend to deffacate in the same spot and you find piles of the stuff 10 inches high sometimes, but the worse is the smell of their urine - it's awful! I once had a customer who called me out who had maggots dropping down from the ceiling in her bedroom. We had to cut a trap in the ceiling as there was no access . We found the remains of a rotting cockrel together with several smaller carcasses and fouine poo everywhere!    

Interesting about the photos , I'm just in the process of downloading the forms for a replacement passport after mine was stolen yesterday. I'm wondering how my French doctor is going to write the following on the back of my photo " I certify that this is a true likeness of .............................then sign AND date it - all on a photo 45mm x 35mm !!       

Interesting thread especialy as my passport was stolen today in Laval (53) . ( Along with carte de sejour, Uk and French bank cards, cheque book(s), permis de conduire, carte vitale, keys, personal family photos, cash ; etc etc).- don't ask- its been a real shi**y day! Even when I rushed to the Gare to get some new photos done in the booth for the Prefecture, with half an hour before they closed -someone fell under the rush hour Paris -Rennes TGV causing chaos and blocking me in the train station for hours whilst they cleared up (I think she survived by the way - poor woman). I am normally quite upbeat but dealing with the surly uncaring attitude of the Commisariate (sp?) de Police, who were less than helpful made me want to join that poor women under the train.  I've lived here a fair few years now but wished I could have blasphemed at him in my native tongue! Then guess what ? I arrive home to catch Martin Fowler looking like he's about to throw himself under the 1845 at Walford! Blººdy nora! Anyway - apparently some nice chappy at The Paris Consulate who I have just spoken to tonight advised me to ring back tomorrow, wherby they'll probably sell me one of the new biometric passports at 140 euros! Seriously though I do need it quickly as my mother is quite ill at the moment in the Uk with Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, so I may need to travel at the drop of a hat. I feel better now - feels like I'm in counselling now I've got it off my chest! Paul.      

Hi TonyF, Have a look at this website - It may be of some help. http://www.lepoint.fr/special_hopitaux/doc_1759.html  I know I looked it up when I had a back operation in France a few years ago. At the time, loads of French friends and aquaintances warned me off our local hospital for my operation, and to be frank I was terrified of a failure/c*ck up by the time I had the op, due to their scare tactics, so take any advice from unqualified people with a pinch of salt! Best and best of luck with your health ! Paul.

Thanx Twinks!  Do you  think I'd better turn the fire down a bit though especially after we've had the chicken Madras ?

OK so lets have some festive Christmas shots. Here is my lounge this evening - W'ere having our local doctor and his wife round for a curry evening ! I hope he likes Poppadums ! [IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v464/Etvoila/Lounge2.jpg[/IMG]        

" What is technically permissible and what is prudent are normally two different figures." Quite agree, have a look at this -  LOL!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRXmE5XNVCw