Electrical installation in a single-family home

The standard common to all electrical installations is the electrical standard NF C15-100 published by AFNOR.

This standard defines the rules by theme, provides for comfort, ease of use, but also the evolution of electrical appliances, and takes into account the ever-increasing needs of residents.

The French standard NF C15-100regulates low-voltage electrical installations in France. More specifically, it covers the protection of electrical installations and people, as well as the ease of management, use and upgradability of the installation.

The law is evolving, and it's important to find out exactly what the changes are before starting any modifications to your electrical network.

The French standard NF C15-100is regularly updated to take account of technological and technical developments, as well as changes in the safety of the installations in question. Its scope of application is very broad:

• residential buildings ;

• commercial buildings ;

• establishments open to the public ;

• industrial plants ;

• agricultural and horticultural establishments ;

• prefabricated buildings ;

• campgrounds and similar facilities ;

• construction sites, fairs, exhibitions and other temporary installations;

• marinas ;

• public or private lighting installations.

Standard-compliant electrical installation NF C15-100features all of the following safety devices:

• an electricity meter, which measures the amount of electricity consumed;

• a general circuit breaker, which cuts off the current to the entire installation;

• an electrical panel, which groups together all the electrical circuits in the dwelling;

• high-sensitivity residual current devices (30 mA), which protect the electrical installation and people against current leakage;

• fuses or small circuit breakers at the origin of each circuit, to protect against overcurrents;

• conduits, to ensure mechanical protection of the wires.

The system can also be fitted with a load-shedding device that prevents the main circuit-breaker from tripping when the power demand exceeds the subscribed power.

Electrical installation accounts for between 3% and 6% of a house's construction budget. Every year, 3,000 people are victims of electrification (electric shock) and 40 people die from electrocution. Some 50,000 fires are caused by electrical problems.

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