Electrical Installation Inspection

Per NF C 15-100, the distribution board (tableau électrique) must be installed in a dedicated Gaine Technique Logement (GTL) accessible from the main living area. The board must include a main switch (disjoncteur de branchement), residual current devices (RCDs) covering all circuits, and individual circuit breakers sized to the cable cross-section. A minimum of 20% spare capacity must be provided for future circuits. The board must be installed between 1.0 m and 1.8 m height for the operating handles.

1. Verify that the distribution board is located within the GTL and accessible without passing through a bathroom or hazardous area per NF C 15-100

2. Confirm that a 500 mA selective RCD (type S) is installed at the main supply as required, with downstream 30 mA RCDs covering all circuits

3. Check that each 30 mA RCD protects a maximum of 8 circuits per NF C 15-100, with circuits distributed across multiple RCDs for continuity of service

4. Verify that circuit breaker ratings match the cable cross-sections (e.g., 16 A for 1.5 mm², 20 A for 2.5 mm², 32 A for 6 mm²)

5. Confirm that a minimum 20% spare capacity (empty slots) is available in the board for future circuits

- All circuits grouped under a single 30 mA RCD, causing total loss of power when one circuit trips

- Circuit breaker ratings exceeding the cable capacity, removing overcurrent protection

- No spare capacity in the board, preventing future circuit additions

- Distribution board installed in a bathroom or inaccessible location

- Missing circuit labelling, making identification and isolation impossible

Per NF C 15-100 and UTE C 15-520, cables must be selected and installed according to the circuit type, installation method, and environmental conditions. Minimum cable cross-sections are specified: 1.5 mm² for lighting circuits, 2.5 mm² for socket circuits, and 6 mm² for dedicated appliance circuits (cooker, electric heating). Cables must be protected against mechanical damage, and the colour code must follow the harmonised standard: blue for neutral, green/yellow for earth, and brown/black/grey for live conductors.

1. Verify cable cross-sections match the circuit type per NF C 15-100 — 1.5 mm² for lighting, 2.5 mm² for sockets, 6 mm² for cooker/high-power circuits

2. Check that the harmonised colour code is applied consistently: blue (neutral), green/yellow (earth), brown/black/grey (live phases)

3. Confirm that cables in accessible areas are protected by conduit (IRL, ICTA, or ICA) appropriate to the installation location per UTE C 15-520

4. Verify that cable routes avoid proximity to heat sources and water pipes, maintaining minimum separation distances per NF C 15-100

5. Check that junction boxes are accessible and connections are made with appropriate terminals (not twisted and taped)

- Cable cross-section undersized for the connected load, causing overheating and fire risk

- Non-standard colour coding, particularly green/yellow used for live conductors, creating shock hazard

- Cables run without conduit protection in accessible areas, vulnerable to mechanical damage

- Junction boxes concealed behind plasterboard or in inaccessible voids, preventing future maintenance

Per NF C 15-100 (Amendment A5), each room type has a specified minimum number of socket outlets. Living rooms require a minimum of 5 sockets (7 if over 28 m²), bedrooms require 3, kitchens require 6 (including 4 above the worktop), and hallways/corridors require 1 per 4 m². All socket outlets must be of the French type E (with earth pin) and protected by 30 mA RCDs. Maximum 8 sockets per 20 A circuit using 2.5 mm² cable.

1. Count socket outlets in each room and verify against NF C 15-100 minimums — living room: 5 (7 if >28 m²), bedroom: 3, kitchen: 6, hallway: 1 per 4 m²

2. Verify that kitchen sockets include at least 4 positioned above worktop level (between 0.08 m and 1.30 m above finished floor) for small appliances

3. Confirm that dedicated circuits are provided for high-power appliances: cooker (32 A/6 mm²), washing machine, dishwasher, and dryer (each 20 A/2.5 mm²)

4. Check that no more than 8 sockets are connected per 20 A circuit (2.5 mm² cable) or 5 sockets per 16 A circuit (1.5 mm² cable)

5. Verify socket mounting heights: between 0.05 m and 1.30 m above finished floor level per NF C 15-100

- Insufficient number of sockets in bedrooms and living rooms, leading to overuse of extension leads

- Kitchen worktop sockets missing or positioned below worktop level, rendering them unusable

- Too many sockets on a single circuit, exceeding the maximum per NF C 15-100

- Dedicated appliance circuits missing for washing machine, dishwasher, or dryer

Per NF C 15-100, each room must have at least one ceiling-mounted lighting point controlled by a wall switch at the room entrance. A maximum of 8 lighting points are permitted per 16 A circuit using 1.5 mm² cable. Switches must be installed between 0.90 m and 1.30 m above finished floor level. Two-way switching (va-et-vient) is required for rooms with multiple entrances and for corridors. Exterior lighting must be on a dedicated circuit protected by a 30 mA RCD.

1. Verify that each habitable room has at least one ceiling lighting point operated by a wall switch at the entrance per NF C 15-100

2. Check that lighting circuits are limited to 8 points per 16 A circuit breaker with 1.5 mm² cable

3. Confirm that two-way switching is installed in rooms with two or more entrances and in corridors/hallways per NF C 15-100

4. Verify switch mounting heights are between 0.90 m and 1.30 m above finished floor level

5. Check that exterior lighting is on a dedicated circuit with appropriate IP-rated fittings (minimum IP44) and 30 mA RCD protection

- Missing ceiling lighting point in habitable rooms, with only wall sockets provided for plug-in lamps

- No two-way switching in rooms with multiple entrances, creating unsafe dark areas

- Exterior lighting fittings with inadequate IP rating for the exposure conditions

- More than 8 lighting points on a single circuit, exceeding NF C 15-100 limits

Per NF C 15-100, the installation must have a main earth terminal connected to the earth electrode (typically a foundation earth per NF C 15-100 section 542). The earth resistance must be compatible with the protective device settings to ensure disconnection within the required time (0.4 s for socket circuits, 5 s for distribution circuits). Supplementary equipotential bonding is required in bathrooms, connecting all exposed and extraneous conductive parts. The main equipotential bonding must connect all metallic services entering the building.

1. Verify the presence and continuity of the main earth conductor from the distribution board to the earth electrode

2. Measure earth loop impedance at the furthest socket outlets to confirm disconnection times are achievable within 0.4 s per NF C 15-100

3. Check that main equipotential bonding connects all metallic services: water pipes, gas pipes, structural steelwork, and cable armour at the building entry

4. Verify supplementary equipotential bonding in bathrooms — all metal pipes, radiators, towel rails, and bath/shower trays must be bonded per NF C 15-100 section 701

5. Confirm earth electrode resistance is adequate — must not exceed 100 ohms when protected by 500 mA RCD (or proportionally lower for higher sensitivity RCDs)

- Earth electrode resistance too high due to dry or rocky ground conditions, preventing reliable fault disconnection

- Supplementary equipotential bonding missing in bathrooms, leaving metal fixtures at shock potential during a fault

- Main bonding connections to water and gas pipes missing or disconnected during renovation works

- Protective earth conductors undersized or broken at junction points

Per NF C 15-100 section 701, bathrooms are divided into protective zones (0, 1, 2, and volume hors volume) that restrict which electrical equipment may be installed and at what IP rating. Zone 0 is inside the bath/shower tray; Zone 1 extends to 2.25 m above the bath/shower floor; Zone 2 extends 0.60 m beyond Zone 1. All circuits supplying bathroom equipment must be protected by a 30 mA RCD. Only SELV (12 V) equipment is permitted in Zone 0, and equipment in Zones 1 and 2 must meet minimum IPX4/IPX5 ratings.

1. Identify and verify the zone boundaries per NF C 15-100 section 701 — Zone 0 (inside bath/shower), Zone 1 (above bath to 2.25 m height), Zone 2 (0.60 m beyond Zone 1)

2. Confirm that no socket outlets are installed in Zones 0, 1, or 2 — sockets are only permitted in the volume hors volume (beyond Zone 2), except shaver sockets with isolating transformer in Zone 2

3. Verify that all equipment installed in Zones 1 and 2 has the minimum required IP rating — IPX4 minimum, IPX5 where water jets are likely

4. Check that all bathroom circuits are protected by 30 mA RCDs and that supplementary equipotential bonding is in place

5. Confirm that any electric towel rail or radiator in Zone 2 is Class II (double insulated) or connected via SELV

- Standard socket outlets installed within Zone 2, creating direct shock hazard

- Light fittings in Zone 1 without the required IPX4 rating, exposed to steam and splash

- Supplementary equipotential bonding incomplete or absent, leaving metal parts unbonded

- Electric towel rails in Zone 2 that are Class I without supplementary bonding

Per French regulation, all new electrical installations and major renovations must obtain a certificate of conformity (attestation de conformité) from the Comité National pour la Sécurité des Usagers de l'Électricité (Consuel) before the electricity distributor (Enedis) will energise the supply. The installer completes a self-declaration of conformity, which is then verified by a Consuel inspector. The inspection covers compliance with NF C 15-100 for the complete installation. Without the Consuel visa, the electricity supply connection will be refused.

1. Verify that the installer has completed and submitted the attestation de conformité (Cerfa form) to Consuel before requesting the inspection visit

2. Confirm that all items on the Consuel inspection checklist are addressed: distribution board layout, circuit protection, earthing, socket counts, bathroom zones, and smoke detectors

3. Check that the installation is complete and accessible for inspection — all cover plates fitted, board labelled, and access maintained to all junction boxes

4. Review any previous Consuel inspection report for non-conformities (réserves) and verify that all have been rectified

5. Confirm that the Consuel visa has been received and forwarded to Enedis for supply energisation

- Consuel inspection failed due to missing or incomplete equipotential bonding in bathrooms

- Distribution board not properly labelled or missing the required circuit identification diagram

- Insufficient socket outlet counts in rooms per NF C 15-100 Amendment A5 minimums

- Smoke detectors (DAAF) missing — at least one per dwelling is required by law since 2015

- Installer delays in submitting the attestation, pushing back the energisation date