May 2008

....& where can I put the light switches?

Having written an earlier post about sockets I now feel moved to set out the regulations regarding the placing of light switches (interrupteurs, ou appareillages de commande). Apart from common sense stuff like needing switches near doorways & at the top & bottom of stairs there are specific measurement ranges.

Firstly, the bottom edge of all switches should be between 90cm (900mm) & 1.30 metres (1300mm) above finished floor level. Personally I find that 1.1 metres is a good height (& is appreciated by anyone using a wheelchair).

Secondly, all switches should be placed within easy reach of the opening side of a door that you use to enter a room. In a corridor they can be up to 1 metre away or, if illuminated switches are used (interrupteur à voyant lumineux), then they can be up to 2 metres away.

As a footnote, it is now recommended that all switches are wired with a neutral wire in place. This allows for the future use of "dispositifs à détection de présence" - motion sensors/PIRs.

How high socket can a socket be.....?

A recent enquiry has made me realise that I haven't posted the following fundemental piece of information; namely, what are the permissable heights of sockets (prises) in France? All measurements are taken from the horizontal cente of the socket i.e. a line linking across the the live & neutral pins.

Firstly, the maximum height for all sockets is 1.3 metres (1300mm). An exception to this rule is when a socket for an extractor hood is required above a cooker or hob, when it must be no lower than 1.8 metres (1800mm).

Bizarrely (in my opinion) the minimum height above finished floor level for a standard 16A or 20A socket in a normal indoor situation is 5cm (50mm)! You'd be hard pushed to get certain right angled plugs in at that height (& you'd probably be down on your knees to do it....). I find that 40cm (400mm) is a good compromise of convenience & aesthetics. Sockets dedicated to individual appliances (washing machine, dryer, dish washer etc.) should be placed in relation to available space behind the specific items, if possible.

Sockets fitted above worktops in a kitchen or similar situation must be between 8cm (80mm) & 25cm (250mm) above the worktop surface. Sockets are not allowed above sinks or hobs (apart from the the exception for extractors already mentioned).

A 32A socket must be no lower than 12cm (120mm)

A splash-proof 16A socket (prise étanche) as required outside or in a cave/sous-sol must be no lower than 1 metre from the floor.

Of course, if you don't want to get involved in all this kind of detail & want someone to wire your property for you (& if it's within striking distance of Vire), then please get in touch.....