« TNT/Freeview update | Main | Sockets & their wiring - Part 2 »
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Sockets & their wiring - Part 1
People who are used to the UK system of wiring power outlets often find the French method of installing sockets a bit strange. It is, however, simpler & more logical than the unbiquitous ring main......
A principle difference is the French technique of having specific circuits & sockets for major appliances. So, there is an individual circuit breaker in the consumer unit for the washing machine, another for the dish-washer, another for a tumble dryer (there are others, but more of that another time). Each of these circuits consist of live(phase), neutral (neutre) & earth (terre) wired in 2.5mm² cable, & are supplied via a maximum 20 amp circuit breaker. The circuit terminates as a single socket outlet next to/behind the appliance. As in the UK, there is also a dedicated circuit for a cooker, rated at 32 amp, wired in 6mm² cable (this can be terminated with a 32 amp socket, or a simple cable outlet).
Shifting such major loads onto their own circuits means that the circuits supplying other sockets don't need the capacity that a UK ring main can supply. French sockets (prise de courant) are wired in a radial or "daisy chain" format i.e. the supply goes in & out of a run of sockets, then ends. There is no return back to the source of supply, as happens in a ring main.
More about general purpose sockets another time....