spain pain !

[biffo]

Hi .Brand new to this forum , so brief background ....I am in building trade and have a passing knowledge of electrical works. My family has a holiday house in catalonia with late 70's electrics .This is ok for our own use , but of course needs upgrading to modern standards if it is to be let out .
A local electrician has viewed the house and talked of complete rewiring , as well as the meter needing to be moved from the garage into a box in the front wall (is this compulsory?) As I understand it there is also no earth .
The local guy is actually german living and working in spain so obviously would only consider doing all to top spec in his own manner which would be prohibitively expensive.
So the question is would I be able to first fix re wire some of the bits (ie cooker , some sockets lay ducting and cable to move meter) and then get him to move meter , put in a new consumer unit , and put an earthing rod in ?
I have done my own first fix in UK and my electrician has been happy to sign it off .

 

[telectrix]

don't know the regs inn spain. mayfair ( forum member) is in spain i think. he would be better to advise.

 

[i=p/u]

there is someone on this website from uk who lives in spain, mayfair is his alias

 

[biffo]

Thanks guys .
have tried to PM mayfair yesterday , but no reply as yet .
could there be an alternative way to make contact ?

 

[mayfair]

Hi m8 , Sorry busy doing a re-wire in a restaurant so not had much time. will look at your Pm

Thanks guys .
have tried to PM mayfair yesterday , but no reply as yet .
could there be an alternative way to make contact ?

 

[dcpenno]

you can do the work you want to wether you could get someone to pass off and test is another matter i would personally do everything myself but i am a HND spark and fully NICEIC and JIB registered this only means something to the electrical trade when was you planning on doing the work if advise is needed then i am sure other people and myself would be willing to give advice

 

[mayfair]

You familiar with the regs here in Spain then?

you can do the work you want to wether you could get someone to pass off and test is another matter i would personally do everything myself but i am a HND spark and fully NICEIC and JIB registered this only means something to the electrical trade when was you planning on doing the work if advise is needed then i am sure other people and myself would be willing to give advice

 

[alarm man]

its all... manana siesta ningunas regulaciones..

 

[mayfair]

you been reading up on it then lol.

 

[Bob D Nero]

Hi Im quafied and authorised in Spain
Live in Menorca and can give advice if you still need it

 

[cantabrian9]

as you have power into the property why not do a complete new install,if the incoming meter tails have a fuse? (old house,maybe NO) you could have bought a new cabinet and situated it outside,in my area it is more convenient if it is o/s for the meter reader (no estimated bills) also if you do a bit of work the german geezer might see his a---e and not touch it,if the farmers around this way can rewire OR new install there can´t be a problem

 

[mayfair]

If only it was that easy. What about the voltage drop and the cablel calcs for the distance on the meter extension and what if Iberdrola want hojas de enlaces ?

as you have power into the property why not do a complete new install,if the incoming meter tails have a fuse? (old house,maybe NO) you could have bought a new cabinet and situated it outside,in my area it is more convenient if it is o/s for the meter reader (no estimated bills) also if you do a bit of work the german geezer might see his a---e and not touch it,if the farmers around this way can rewire OR new install there can´t be a problem

 

[sylvanrootham]

So, I work in barcelona and go into some flats that are in pretty rough shape and ask myself: how can this be rented? how is this legal?

this is my bosses response:

if the installation was done in the 70s and the load hasn't changed much, the cables are in relatively good condition, and there have been no significant modifications, then it is perfectly fine despite looking shabby.

That means renters can:
1. it's legal to rent a flat with questionable electricty.
2. forget earth cables
3. forget separate circuits



normally there is 1 rcd, and 1 pia.

If you were going to change the electrical installation, I would recommend doing it all new with a authorized installer, you can find them by searching in Catalonia: infonorma they are listed by postal code, Instal·lador Autoritzat.

One day, my name will be on that list.

 

[Beardyjar]

It is no problem for anyone to do a first fix as long as it is to the Spanish regs. There are no ring mains and twin and earth cable is not used

 

[sylvanrootham]

It is no problem for anyone to do a first fix as long as it is to the Spanish regs. There are no ring mains and twin and earth cable is not used

can you confirm that with insurance companies? I felt awful when i found out that if you install an earth cable in an old flat, the owner's home insurance coverage in case of electrical fires becomes null as the installation is considered a modification.

 

[Beardyjar]

I should have said that after any modifications are made they should be certified as a modification.

 

[philbet]

hello lads
whats the work situation like out in spain me and my mate (both sparks) are looking for work any chance of coming over to give you guys a hand dont mind housebashing anything considered or pm me with some contact numbers cheers lads

 

[Beardyjar]

Things here are not good. Even the Spanish electricians struggle to find work. Two major suppliers have folded in the last couple of months because there is not the demand for materials

 

[rattlehead85]

The majority of homes / villas in Spain have a supply rated at 5.5kw controlled by a device called a re-enganche ( safety cut out overload with internal bi-metallic strip.) The earthing system is T.T with double pole MCB's and front line RCD. Usually the wiring system is flexible plastic tube and empalme boxes buried in the walls with singes used. A joy to rewire compared to the crap over here. Just don't try connecting a big oven or electric shower from the U.K otherwise you will find your re-enganche will weld open. .