Nick Trollope

[quote user="martin"]Does anyone know whether or not i need a 'coffret de communication' when wiring a renovation or is it just for newbuilds?[/quote] That depends on whether you need a CONSUEL (probably) or not (probably not). How much of a renovation is it?  

And I think you'll find that the OP was talking about disjoncteurs and that I am right. Noone in their right minds uses fuses any more.

They both are. The regs say a maximum rating of 20A on 2,50mm cable (16A on 1,50mm cable) I use/prefer GE bits, although the range is morte limited than Legrand, it is as good a quality, and cheaper. Stay away from Nalto, Memex and the like, they are cr*p (IMQO)  

[quote user="J.Rs gone native"] The swear filter is getting worse, I cannot even spell c 0 c k with a zero! [/quote] In future, I propose that we refer to stoptaps and male chickens. And, JR, get rid of that c o cking apostrophe from your user name! Bloody quote marks...  

[quote user="J.Rs gone native"][quote user="Nick Trollope"] But it is already happening - see my earlier post in this thread. Real world, real issues..... [/quote] When you say surveyed, do you mean that you are the guy doing the surveying or that you have been asked by the sellers for a devi to do the remedial work? If it is the latter then I am astounded given the lack of interest shown and money spent by the average French seller to prepare his house for sale. Still they are obedient people, are interested parties perhaps telling them that they must have the work done to secure a sale? [/quote] I mean that I have been asked by the Agents (and/or Notaires) to indicate the cost of rectifying the "failures" on the reports. I charge even more for a devis... I am also asked to estimate the cost of failures of the DPE, as I bought myself a thermographic camera. It is a quite useful string to my financial bow in this day and age.... These are, I'm afraid to say, always English-stylee wiring jobs - which is why they ask me. The inspectors system is all computerised and he hasn't got an "English wiring installed" tick box, so they just report it as "unsafe" or "non-authorise materials". A complete rewire of a medium-sized, occupied property can indeed cost 10K€ to do - and does! As an example, I recently saw an 85K house, where the buyer negotiated a 15K reduction for a rewire.... Wire it the English way and it will happen....  

But it is already happening - see my earlier post in this thread. Real world, real issues.....

Solution is simple - get another couple of devis!  

[quote user="tonyv"]I take on board Nick's warning re sellers report, but don't regard that as a major problem. I can understand a total electrical failure report, but plumbing is hardly hazardous. [/quote] I think you are missing my point. If it "fails" a plumbing inspection, a buyer is going to negotiate the price down to match. Nothing to do with safety....  

Same old same old, I'm afraid. IF your Poles are not working in a regulated trade, then yes, the Treaty of Rome allows them to work here. BUT, most building trades are regulated in France (as they are in Poland!). So, the controlling company must be registered and insured to work (in the building trade) in France. They must have a SIRET number and they must be insured with a French insurer. Therein lies the rub.....  

When you apply to become an Artisan (tradesman) in France, one of the forms you sign specifically asks if you have a criminal record (anywhere), whilst there are exceptions, anything that would normally attract a sentence of 6 months must be declared. If they don't, then they have commited a specific offence in France. I suspect that this is what Tony is alluding to. It is unlikely that an inheritance would be considered a joint asset (in these circumstances).  

Also remember that a plumbing survey will be added to the "sellers pack" in the next year or so. I have surveyed 4 total failure (electrical report) houses in the past week - that lot will cost an average of 10K€ to each seller. Is it worth doing it English?  

Not plaster blocks - more moisture absorbant than an entire carrier crew on shore leave.... Metal framing and water resistant (green) placo (at the bottom at least), is my favourite method. Then ventilate the gap. DO  NOT tank the room - you will force the damp further up the wall. Or "brique" - cheaper and more difficult to install.    

You can and as others have said (N & E apart), the colours are unimportant. However, if you are doing a 2-way circuit, the "strapper" consists of 3 wires only and you will find it far far cheaper to use 3 single cables than a 5-core. If you have more than 2 (or even 2) switches, use a télérupteur - only 2 wires (one of which can be neutral) to each switch. Then again, Legrand do a super range of radio switches that need no wires at all!  

In my experience they tend to be old models that the bank won't accept. When we wanted the latest radio model, the bank would only let us use theirs.  

[quote user="Danglar"] Also on checking this guy's siret it transpires the siret is only for electrical work (!). He also  keeps mentioning  that he is insured  at or by the local chamber of commerce and that therefore his work comes with a guarantee of 10 years. [/quote] The Chambre de Commerce don't do insurance. Ask to see his insurance certificate. How did you check his SIRET? The onlline sites are innacurate and only list one activity. Ask to see his registration papers. Also, the Chambre de Commerce DO NOT do electricians! Get more devis.  

Where did you get the info from? Remember that the SIRET checker sites only list the "primary" activity (and often not accurately - some have me listed as a "cleaner"). Ask to see his Chamre de Metiers ID, or his K-Bis and his insurance.  

To me, it seems that he is leaving for exactly the same reasons they arrived - quality of life, etc. It all comes down to the exchange rate and there is nothing any of us can do about that. There are plenty who cannot afford to return to the UK, so I suppose that they are lucky - even if a park home would not be my first choice. There are plenty of places in the UK where 115K will buy a decent house - not all of them rough!  

[quote user="tonyv"]Nick, I don't wish to be contrary either, but if you have a look here, about half-way down the page, under Dimensions de la Gaine Technique Logement, you will see that the minimum width is quoted as 600mm for a logement > 35m². [/quote] I must have had a dozen CONSUELs passed with a simple 250mm Rehau Gulotte screwed to the wall - As I say above the GTL is not a physical thing it is a "space" defined for the use of electrical (and comms) circuits exclusively.  

Not wishing to be contradictory, but; The GTL does not have to be 600mm wide, it can be as wide as the gulottes you buy in the shops... It can be made of anything (sensible, I presume..). It must be floor to ceiling. A GTL is actually a much more ephemoral thing - it is mearly a space reserved exclusively for electrical (and comms). For CONSUEL, I wouldn't advise the fitting of a second consumer unit. Just put a bit of 25mm gaine between the GTL and the "attic". Do it later. Once you have your CONSUEL, they won't want to (can't) come back an reinspect. However, if it is obvious that the 1st floor isn't a grenier, he may fail you for an incomplete installation. Then again, if this is a renovation (as opposed to a new build), it is accepted that work is done in stages. I (as an electrician in France) would always use junction boxes (of the correct type) for lighting. Far more adaptable/easier/quicker - only one 16mm gaine to a single switch, as opposed to two, etc etc. As Tony says however, you can do it either way.      

[quote user="tj"]HI You could try turning down the thermostat, often it is set far too hot, if you cannot wash your hands with it without adding cold, then its too hot and also costing you more than neccessary. [/quote] Don't turn down the 'stat (even if an adjustable one is fitted). Regs require the water to be heated to a certain temp (63 deg), to kill off (very) nasties - most of which I can't spell so won't try. The thermostat will have been set at the correct temp in the factory.

Mercury, I'd suggest, curse of all flourescents. When I say "about to be", please appreciate that we are talking 4/5 years!  

It is up to you, but I'd use 1M for CFLs. Bear in mind that CFLs may be outlawed soon.  

[quote user="HertzVanHire"]I have white number plates. Others have yellow. Is there a rationale for the colour?[/quote] White ones are newer (used since 2007?).  

I'm not even sure this "conversion course" exists. I had to prove my experience and qualifications, like everyone else. Can't your OH do this (like everyone else). Mark you, if he really believes what you suggest he believes, then perhaps.....  

Hmmmm..... Thought we put this to bed 4 years ago! You are 3 phase because your property was a farm - it was normal (still is for farms). And you haven't asked to change. You are paying a different standing charge because you have a different tariff from your neighbours. From EDF at least, the costs are the same for 1 and 3 phase. The best people to ask about changing are EDF (or your supplier). You sound like a heavy user of power, so don't assume that you will be able to change to mono (this is what the original thread was about IIRC).