Standard NF C 15-100: The essentials of low-voltage electrical regulations

Is the NFC 15-100 standard mandatory?

Yes, the NF C 15-100 standard is compulsory.

The NFC15-100 standard was drawn up by AFNOR (the French Standards Association) in 1956 to improve the safety of electrical installations. Since then, it has been amended several times, allowing it to be updated as technology evolves.

All electricians and private individuals who carry out their own installations must comply with this standard. In the case of a new installation, Consuel will check that it complies with current safety standards and issue you with a certificate of conformity. Without this certificate, you will not be able to connect to the network. In the case of a renovation, if you carry out the work yourself without complying with the standard, you will be held liable in the event of a claim and will not be compensated by your insurer. Before embarking on the construction and electrical installation of your home, it’s important to keep abreast of regular updates to the standard.

What is the purpose of the NF C 15-100 standard?

The standard was created to ensure a number of fundamental principles:

• protection to ensure personal safety: avoid electric shocks and excessively high temperatures likely to cause burns, fires, etc.
• design of electrical installations: correct operation of the electrical installation according to its intended use.
• choice of electrical equipment: all electrical equipment must comply with the European standard (EN) or harmonisation document (HD).
• installation and commissioning checks

Who is affected by the application of the NFC15-100 standard?

The NF C 15-100 standard applies to all electrical installations in new homes and renovations.

There are 2 types of electrical renovation work:

• bringing your installation into line with the latest changes to the standard.
• safety upgrades: this involves updating your equipment to prevent any risk of domestic accidents.

Which rooms are covered by standard C 15-100?

The parts covered by the standard are :

• the stay
• the kitchen
• bedrooms and offices
• the bathroom
• rooms larger than 4 m², circulation areas and WCs
• outside

What are the elements defined in the standard?

The NF C 15-100 standard will be used to define design and implementation rules such as :

• the number of compulsory items of equipment in each room (sockets, lighting points, communication networks)
• the installation height of equipment (sockets, switches)
• the cross-section of electrical wires
• the circuit-breaker rating
• installation of the technical housing duct (GTL) and dimensions of the Technical Housing Space (ETEL)
• the heating circuit
• the volume of protection in wet rooms (bathroom)
• the roller shutter circuit

What do you need in each room?

The living room

• Sockets: one 2P + T socket outlet for every 4 m² of floor space. They should be distributed around the room with a minimum of 5 sockets.
• Lighting: 1 lighting point compulsory
• Communication sockets: 2 juxtaposed RJ45 sockets for T1, T2 and T3. For TV sockets, you’ll need to install 1 socket for a T1, 2 sockets for a T2 up to T4 and 3 sockets for T5 and above. RJ45 sockets and television sockets must be wired in star configuration from the communication box.

The kitchen

• Sockets: 6 x 2P + T sockets, four of which are positioned above the worktop. Not permitted above sink basins, fires or hobs. When installing a cooker hood, the electrical socket must be at least 1.80 m above the floor.
• Lighting: 1 lighting point compulsory

Bedrooms and offices

• Sockets: 3 x 2P + T sockets
• Lighting: 1 lighting point compulsory
• Communication sockets: 1 RJ45 socket for T2 and 2 sockets for T3 (not compulsory for T1) near an electrical socket.

The bathroom

• Sockets: at least 1 socket in the bathroom, excluding volume only. The axis of the sockets must be at least 5 cm from the floor and no more than 1.3 m high.
• Lighting: 1 lighting point with IPX4 shutter or IPX4 overhead luminaire

Rooms larger than 4 m², circulation areas and WCs

• Sockets: at least one 2P + T socket outlet, not compulsory in WCs
• Lighting: 1 ceiling or wall-mounted light point

Exterior

• Sockets: all external sockets must be positioned at least 1 m from the ground.
• Lighting: 1 light point above each entrance

What is required for circuits in accordance with standard NF C 15-100?

A circuit is all the electrical wires supplied by the same source and protected by the same safety device. Several circuits can be placed in the same ICTA conduit if: – all circuits come from the same general protection device – all wires are insulated all wires are insulated wire cross-sections must not differ by more than 2 intervals – each circuit must be protected by a circuit breaker. each circuit must be protected by a circuit breaker . the maximum number of wires you can run in a sheath. For more information, please refer to our article : How do you choose your electrical conduit?

Electrical socket circuit

The number of socket outlets supplied by a single circuit is limited to : – 8 when the conductor cross-section of the circuit is 1.5 mm² for 16 A.

– 12 when the conductor cross-section of the circuit is 2.5 mm² for 20 A

Socket outlets up to 20 A should be installed at least 5 cm from the floor. For sockets above 20 A it’s 12 cm minimum.

Lighting circuit

You need at least 2 lighting circuits per dwelling. Each circuit can have a maximum of 8 lighting points at 10 or 16 A on a 1.5 mm² cross-section. The boxes

to connect the lighting points must be fitted with a Luminaire Connection Device (DCL) to secure your installation.

Each switch must be between 0.90 m and 1.30 m high.

Special equipment circuits

• Roller shutters: a dedicated 16 A circuit on 1.5 mm² wire
• Electric oven: a dedicated circuit with a current of 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire
• Dishwasher: a dedicated circuit with a current rating of 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire
• Washing machine: a dedicated circuit with a current rating of 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire
• Tumble dryer: a dedicated circuit with a current rating of 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire
• Cooker hob: a dedicated circuit with a current rating of 20 A on 6 mm² cable
• Electrical heating: one dedicated circuit per 4,500 W with a current rating of 20 A on 2.5 mm² wire

What does standard NF C 15-100 say about the Gaine Technique de Logement (GTL) and the Emplacement Technique Électrique de Logement (ETEL)?

The Gaine Technique de Logement, also known as the GTL, is a trunking where all the power networks are brought together. The electrical panel, the meter, the communication panel, etc. will be fitted on top.

The minimum height to the axis of the circuit-breakers is 0.50 m if the enclosure has a door, 0.90 m if it has no door and a maximum height of 1.80 m.

The dwelling’s electrical equipment room, also known as the ETEL, is the area dedicated to protecting electrical equipment. The GTL is placed inside the ETEL. It must be easily accessible and located near one of the entrances to the home. Be careful not to install it too close to a water source.

The minimum dimensions of the ETEL are :

• Width: 600 mm
• Depth: 250 mm
• Height: floor to ceiling
• At least 100 mm wider than the GTL

The bathroom

The first step in protecting water features is to earth all metal components. Class II sanitary equipment will also need to be earthed. Class I equipment does not need to be earthed. When it comes to the waterproofing of equipment that can be installed in a bathroom, there are 3 categories of protection index:

• IPX4: water projected from all directions
• IPX5: projection against water jets from any direction
• IPX7: projection against the effects of temporary immersion.

In the bathroom, the NF C 15-100 electrical standard distinguishes between 3 different types of protective volume: Volume 0: water point (shower, bath) Volume 1 : water projection risk volume Volume 2 : safety distance (0,6 m from volume 1) These volumes determine the necessary distances between the equipment and the water point (shower, bath).