It is great to see companies such as Screwfix opening up their delivery avenues to include France and other European destinations. However, we would offer a word of warning to the UK expat community before filling up that online basket
“Do not add UK cables, switches and sockets”
There are fundamental differences between French and UK electrical systems and UK cables, switches and sockets MUST never be applied to a French house. They are just not compliant.
“Do not add UK cables, switches and sockets”
There are fundamental differences between French and UK electrical systems and UK cables, switches and sockets MUST never be applied to a French house. They are just not compliant.
 This picture is of UK earth cable. You will see that the earth cable is significantly thinner and unsheathed. Live & Neutral are. |  This picture is of French 3 core cable and the earth cable is much thicker, sheathed and the same size as Live & Neutral, making the UK cable underrated. |
We have seen a number of properties that demonstrate the use of English cable and light switches, dare we say it, even an English fuseboard!! Indicating that homeowners have done the work themselves without enough knowledge of what they are doing or have not used a qualified and registered electrician.
Admittedly the cost of purchasing electrical items is much more expensive than in the UK. We certainly noticed the price difference when we moved to France, but it is what it is. You can be forgiven for thinking that purchasing UK items is cheaper in the short term but long term could have devastating consequences.
Be mindful that if there is a fire caused by an electrical fault linked backed to non compliant work, you are compromising your insurance.
Be mindful that when you sell your property, it will be subject to an electrical diagnostic report and will include the identification of abnormalities such as the use of non compliant products.
Admittedly the cost of purchasing electrical items is much more expensive than in the UK. We certainly noticed the price difference when we moved to France, but it is what it is. You can be forgiven for thinking that purchasing UK items is cheaper in the short term but long term could have devastating consequences.
Be mindful that if there is a fire caused by an electrical fault linked backed to non compliant work, you are compromising your insurance.
Be mindful that when you sell your property, it will be subject to an electrical diagnostic report and will include the identification of abnormalities such as the use of non compliant products.
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