European wiring

[Carlosfandango]

The house we currently rent was built by a polish company using polish workers and materials. Basically it's a kit house that's sent over. The build quality is excellent but tonight I discovered a leak so had to take off a socket. The wiring is all in European type cable which looks like flex with solid cores. The cpc looks to be the same csa as the lives. The socket backboxes are round plastic with 2 side by side to make a double ( everyone follow?) The db has a SELECT sticker and has been signed off by a contractor. What's everyone's take on this as I have the option to buy the house next year. Obviously it wouldn't be a problem to change the backboxes to metal or fastfix. Would this make any difference to the value and should it be pointed out to who ever comes to value the house (the lower the better for me). The house was built in 2008. Just looking for other people's opinions really.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

BS7671 allows for alternative equipment that provides a similar level of safety to the UK recommended practice. In my experience some European methods and materials are better. Have they tried to mismatch a UK-made socket outlet with continental boxes or are they complete units assembled as the makers intended?

 

[Carlosfandango]

BS7671 allows for alternative equipment that provides a similar level of safety to the UK recommended practice. In my experience some European methods and materials are better. Have they tried to mismatch a UK-made socket outlet with continental boxes or are they complete units assembled as the makers intended?

They've fitted standard 3 pin sockets but onto round plastic boxes.

 

[DPG]

The house we currently rent was built by a polish company using polish workers and materials. Basically it's a kit house that's sent over. The build quality is excellent but tonight I discovered a leak so had to take off a socket. The wiring is all in European type cable which looks like flex with solid cores. The cpc looks to be the same csa as the lives. The socket backboxes are round plastic with 2 side by side to make a double ( everyone follow?) The db has a SELECT sticker and has been signed off by a contractor. What's everyone's take on this as I have the option to buy the house next year. Obviously it wouldn't be a problem to change the backboxes to metal or fastfix. Would this make any difference to the value and should it be pointed out to who ever comes to value the house (the lower the better for me). The house was built in 2008. Just looking for other people's opinions really.

If someone comes to value the house I don't think they will want the sockets taking off so that they can see what type of back boxes are used! Daz

 

[Carlosfandango]

If someone comes to value the house I don't think they will want the sockets taking off so that they can see what type of back boxes are used! Daz

I was more referring to the European wiring as opposed to the backboxes!!

 

[DPG]

I was more referring to the European wiring as opposed to the backboxes!!

But you mentioned it was no problem to change the back boxes. Daz

 

[davesparks]

So what would you replace it with, American or Australian wiring?

 

[Carlosfandango]

But you mentioned it was no problem to change the back boxes. Daz

If I bought the house.

 

[DPG]

What is the problem with the back boxes though? Daz

 

[Carlosfandango]

They don't fit our accessories properly! They're recessed far enough back so the sockets fit but they're basically being used to get socket screws in and nothing else. Basically a round backbox and square fitting!

 

[DPG]

Ah right, so you can actually see the backbox when the socket is in place. Jeez. Daz

 

[Carlosfandango]

Ah right, so you can actually see the backbox when the socket is in place. Jeez. Daz

No, the fitting covers it. The round hole must be about 50mm round.

 

[DPG]

So the sockets fit OK and the back boxes don't show. I still don't get the problem. I may be being thick though. Daz

 

[Carlosfandango]

It's basically 2 round boxes side by side so that you can get a machine screw in each side. They're obviously not designed to have our sockets fitted but the European round style sockets. I suppose you could say that there's not a lot wrong but it would bug the hell out of me knowing it's not right!! I would take a picture but it was a nightmare to get the socket screwed back so I'll be dawned if I'm taking it off again!!

 

[DPG]

I think I'm with you now. Couldn't quite picture it. Daz