Is the NF C 15-100 standard mandatory?
Yes, the NF C 15-100 standard is mandatory.
The NF C 15-100 standard was drawn up by AFNOR (the French Standardisation Association) in 1956 to improve the safety of electrical installations.
Since then, it has received several amendments and orders to keep it up to date as technology evolves.
All electricians and individuals who carry out their own installation are required to comply with this standard. In the case of a new installation, Consuel will ensure that it complies with the safety standards in force before issuing 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 responsible in the event of a loss and will not be compensated by your insurer. Before undertaking the electrical work and installation in your home, it is important to keep up to date with the 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 people’s safety: preventing electric shocks and excessively high temperatures that could cause burns, fires, etc.
- design of electrical installations: correct operation of the electrical installation according to its intended use.
- selection of electrical equipment: all electrical equipment must comply with the European standard (EN) or harmonisation document (HD).
- construction of installations and verification during commissioning
Who is concerned by the application of the NF C 15-100 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 into compliance: updating your installation in accordance with the latest changes to the standard.
- making safe: updating your equipment to prevent any risk of domestic accidents.
Which rooms are covered by the C 15-100 standard?
The rooms covered by the standard are:
- the living room
- the kitchen
- bedrooms and offices
- the bathroom
- rooms larger than 4 m², circulation areas and toilets
- outdoor areas
What elements are defined in the standard?
The NF C 15-100 standard is used to define design and implementation rules such as:
- the number of mandatory items of equipment in each room (power sockets, lighting points, communication networks)
- the installation height of equipment (power sockets, switches)
- the cross-section of electrical wires
- the rating of circuit breakers
- installation of the Housing Technical Duct (GTL) and dimensions of the Housing Electrical Technical Space (ETEL)
- the heating circuit
- the protection zones in rooms containing water (bathroom)
- the roller shutter circuit
What needs to be provided in each room?
Living room / lounge
- Power sockets: one 2P + E socket outlet for every 4 m² of floor area. They must be distributed throughout the room, with a minimum of 5 socket outlets.
- Lighting: 1 mandatory lighting point.
- Communication sockets: 2 adjacent RJ45 sockets for T1, T2 and T3. For television sockets, 1 socket must be installed for a T1, 2 sockets for a T2 up to T4, and 3 sockets for T5 and above. RJ45 and television sockets must be wired in a star configuration from the communication cabinet.
Kitchen
- Power sockets: 6 2P + E socket outlets, four of which must be positioned above the worktop. They are prohibited above the sink basin and above burners or hobs. If a cooker hood is installed, the electrical socket must be at least 1.80 m above the floor.
- Lighting: 1 mandatory lighting point.
Bedrooms and offices
- Power sockets: 3 2P + E socket outlets.
- Lighting: 1 mandatory lighting point.
- Communication sockets: 1 RJ45 socket for T2 and 2 sockets for T3 (not mandatory for T1) close to an electrical socket.
Bathroom
- Power sockets: at least 1 socket in the bathroom, outside the protection zones only. The centreline of power sockets must be between a minimum of 5 cm above the floor and a maximum height of 1.3 m.
- Lighting: 1 lighting point with an IPX4 shutter or an enclosing IPX4 luminaire.
Rooms larger than 4 m², circulation areas and toilets
- Power sockets: at least one 2P + E socket outlet, not mandatory in toilets.
- Lighting: 1 ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted lighting point.
Outdoors
- Power sockets: all outdoor sockets must have their centreline positioned at least 1 m above the ground.
- Lighting: 1 lighting point above each entrance.
What needs to be provided for circuits under the NF C 15-100 standard?
A circuit is all the electrical wires supplied by the same source and protected by the same safety device.
Several circuits may be placed in the same ICTA conduit if:
– all circuits come from the same main protective device
– all wires are insulated
– the wire cross-sections must not differ by more than 2 intervals
– each circuit must be protected by a circuit breaker
However, the maximum number of wires that can be run through a conduit must still be respected. For more information, see our article: How to choose your electrical conduit?
Power socket circuits
The number of socket outlets supplied by the same 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 must be installed at least 5 cm above the floor. For sockets above 20 A, the minimum is 12 cm.
Lighting circuits
There must be at least 2 lighting circuits per dwelling. Each circuit may have up to 8 lighting points maximum at 10 or 16 A on a 1.5 mm² cross-section. The connection boxes
for the lighting points must be fitted with a Luminaire Connection Device (DCL), which makes the installation safer.
Each switch must be positioned between 0.90 m and 1.30 m high.
Circuits for special equipment
- Roller shutters: a dedicated circuit rated at 16 A using 1.5 mm² conductors.
- Electric oven: a dedicated circuit rated at 20 A using 2.5 mm² conductors.
- Dishwasher: a dedicated circuit rated at 20 A using 2.5 mm² conductors.
- Washing machine: a dedicated circuit rated at 20 A using 2.5 mm² conductors.
- Tumble dryer: a dedicated circuit rated at 20 A using 2.5 mm² conductors.
- Hob: a dedicated circuit rated at 20 A using 6 mm² conductors.
- Electric heating: a dedicated circuit for every 4,500 W rated at 20 A using 2.5 mm² conductors.
What does the NF C 15-100 standard say about the Housing Technical Duct (GTL) and the Housing Electrical Technical Space (ETEL)?
The Housing Technical Duct, also known as the GTL, is trunking in which all power networks are brought together. The electrical panel, meter, communication panel, etc. are mounted on it.
The minimum height to the centreline of the circuit breakers is 0.50 m for an enclosure with a door, 0.90 m for an enclosure without a door, and the maximum height is 1.80 m.
The Housing Electrical Technical Space, also known as the ETEL, is the area dedicated to protecting electrical equipment. The GTL is installed inside the ETEL. It must be easily accessible and positioned close to one of the entrances to the dwelling. Take care not to install it too close to a water point.
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
Bathroom
Protection in rooms containing water begins by earthing all metallic elements. Class II sanitary equipment must also be connected to earth. For Class I equipment, an earth connection is not necessary.
With regard to the water resistance of equipment that may be installed in a bathroom, there are 3 categories of protection rating:
- IPX4: water splashes from all directions
- IPX5: water jets from all directions
- IPX7: protection against the effects of temporary immersion.
In the bathroom, the NF C 15-100 electrical standard distinguishes 3 different protection zones:
Zone 0: water point (shower, bath)
Zone 1: area at risk of water splashes
Zone 2: safety distance (0.6 m from Zone 1)
These zones determine the required distances between equipment and the water point (shower, bath).
