uk electrical fittings

[martin]

Could someone please give me a definitive answer on whether or not you are allowed to use uk light fittings, heaters etc over here. I have heard various theories including it invalidates your house insurance in the event of a fire.

[andyh4]

The only definitive answer I can give is that you would be safer (in both senses possibly) using French sourced materials rather than UK.  Anything that then plugs into the electrical system would be safe from either source provided that it is rated correctly for the circuit.

 

Reasons:

1.  French sourced materials have to have the NF mark (equivalent to but not the same as the BSI kite mark ).  See point 3.

2.  Using UK sourced materials you run the risk of mixing standards with the consequence that what is completely safe in one context and under one set of norms could be dicey or even dangerous under another.  Example French earth wire is a bigger diameter than UK because the earthing arrangements are different and the wire might have to take a larger current.

3.  In the worst case if your house did burn down and the insurance assessor were to find a charred fitting near the seat of the fire which did not have an NF mark on it, what do you think he would blame the fire on - in the absence of other evidence?  And what do you think the insurance company would say to your claim as a consequence?