IEC-French Standard Typical Residential from NFC 15-100 Requirements

IEC French Standard Typical Wiring diagram and electrical installations required by NFC 15-100

SUPPLY
Usually single phase (230 V / 50 Hz). Earth is usually local (TT system). The protective conductor is mandatory in every circuit. An AD fuse is installed on the phase in conjunction with the main circuit breaker.

METER
A single kW/h meter is supplied. If an optional off-peak power fare is subscribed, a 2-fares meter with pilot-line switching is installed.

MAIN CIRCUIT-BREAKER
This device has 3 functions:
- Acts as the main switch of the installation
- Limits the current consumption to a pre-settled level of the contract with electricity supplier
- Provides protection against indirect contact through a residual current protection (type S, 500 mA).

LIGHTNING PROTECTION
The installations supplied by an overhead electric Iine and located in high risk lightning areas have to be protected by a Surge Protective Device (SPD) installed downstream of the main residual current circuit breaker. The Surge Protective Device has to be connected to the main earth terminal of the consumer unit.

CONSUMERS DISTRIBUTION BOARD
All the protection and control functions of the electrical installation are located in the main household trunking (called GTL). The power distribution panel board and the communication panel
board are located in the GTL.

POWER DISTRIBUTION PANEL BOARD
This panel board concentrates all the control and protection functions of the electrical installation. The protection against overcurrent (short circuit and overload) is provided by circuit-breakers or fuses. All the circuits have to be protected by a 30 mA RCD in order to provide the complementary protection against the direct contacts. Other devices could be located in the panel board as:
- Time switches and time delay relays
- Bell transformer
- Power relays (heating, etc)
- Latching relays for lighting
- Signalling lamps
- Daylight/dusk switches
- Dimmers
- Land-shedding relays
- Off-peak power relays
- Buzzer or bell.

CIRCUIT PROTECTION AGAINST OVERCURRENT
Each circuit has to be protected against overcurrent at its origin. The overcurrent protection device shall ensure the simultaneous breaking of both phase and neutral conductors. The protection device should be a miniature circuit breakers or a fuse cartridge.

SPECIALIZED CIRCUITS
Some appliances (e.g. washing machine, freezer, dishwasher, etc) should be supplied by a dedicated circuit having the appropriate cross sectional area and overcurrent and RCD protection. They will be connected either via a socket or via a cable outlet box (e.g. oven, cooking plate, water-heater).

SOCKET OUTLETS
The socket outlet circuits are installed in a star configuration. The maximum number of socketoutlets is 8 on a 2.5 mm2 circuit and 5 on a 1.5 mm2 circuit. Socket outlets are of the earthed type 2P+E. Shutters are mandatory for all type of socket-outlets up to 32 A.
PLUGS
They can be 2P or 2P+E type. The flat bodied 2P type should have sleeved pins. Specific 20 A and 32 A plugs are also available for high power circuits.

LIGHTING POINTS
The lighting circuits are installed in a star configuration. A maximum of 8 points per circuit is allowed, each controlled by switches or dimmers. Multiple-point control of lighting is usually achieved by latching relays and push-buttons. The use of time-lag switches for the light control in public areas is also recommended.

EARTHING
The earthing terminal is usually provided by a closed loop foundation earth electrode. Supplementary bonding of metal fittings in bathroom, kitchens, etc., is mandatory.

CABLING
Most domestic wiring is run either in plastic surface mounted trunking or in plastic flushed-in conduit systems. Generally PVC insulated solid copper conductors are used in fixed wiring. Concerning the surface-mounted trunking systems, the protection against the external influences has to be ensured throughout the entire length of the circuit.

ELECTRICAL ACCESSORY INSTALLATION
Switches, sockets, etc., should be installed in a flush or surface mounted box or in an especially designed trunking system. All the accessories have to be screw fitted.

OUTDOOR CIRCUITS
The use of a 30 mA RCD protection is mandatory for the protection of the domestic outdoor circuits. Outdoor sockets should be at least IP 44.

BATHROOMS
Specific rules apply for circuits in bathrooms.

COMMUNICATION BOARD
In the domestic installation a communication board is installed in the main household trunking (GTL). It is the central part of the communication network of the dwelling. Each room of the dwelling is supplied by a twisted pair cable originating from the communication board and terminating with an RJ 45 socket. This communication network is able to provide different services such as telephone, Ethernet and TV.