Im looking for some advise regarding Spanish electrics, im renovating an old spainish property that has no electrics in at the moment, im looking at cutting costs while doing the work & running cables & PVC Pipe myself & electrician to finish it all off, could i get some advice on how they wire things etc & how the cables go etc

Many thanks

Hola

Spanish electrics are totally different to the modern English system. The Spanish system doesn't use ring mains, totally radial. I am sure others will better describe the Spanish system but well done for asking before installing "the wrong system"

Davexf

The radial system (as also used in the US, Canada and almost the whole of the EU ) is a 'christmas tree' affair and while easy to run, it will need installing properly and be fully tested.
Radial just means radiating from a single point. (no return to make a ring)
Only bad bit is if a socket goes down you loose the rest after it, on a ring you only loose the one (which can be dangerous)

The cables are usually single pulled through flexible conduit within the walls. And the run is supposed to be planned to stop accidental damage (so height of conduit, thickness, corners, etc) have to be to code.
BUT the cable size has to match the load of the breaker.
Therefore just like the Uk a shower on a 40a breaker will have to be thicker than the cables for a lighting circuit at 10a. You can't just pull thicker for everything.

Links here for info. Everyone now uses the Schuko type sockets and you wont get the install passed without them (this was put into the electrical regs in 2002 I think).

Spanish Sockets & Plugs - Sparks in Spain
Rewiring a Spanish Property - Sparks in Spain

Our place has 3 sockets and 2 lights and the door entry on the same circuit (its all about balance) not an issue just lazy and cheap so they didn't have to add another circuit.

You will also have to take into account the 'potentia' of the property as this may affect the cable runs so each one cannot have more than the load you are paying for.

Im not a Spanish qualified spark, but was in the Uk and in Canada and the Caribbean for a while. (some years ago)

If in doubt get someone to give you a quote and explain some of the bits.

You will in any case have to get it signed off before its connected to the mains anyway.

I'm sure that any electrical work on residential property has to be done by qualified electrical engineers before its can get inspected and passed off. It's worth enquiring about that before spending any more time and money on the project. I'm happy to be corrected.

Steve

Yes and unfortunately many think they can just come to Spain and do what they like. If the property was never connected/never residential, you might even need Licencia de primera ocupación. In any case you will need cédula de habitabilidad (Habitation Certificate) and boletín eléctrico (CIE). Better speak to the planning department at the town hall, before the cost savings turn into more costs.

Hi, As a former BT engineer - 25 years ago - I was also qualified on mains power way back in the 70's. The UK domestic wiring is so simple, safe and makes sense. The wiring in my apartment at ME is a total mess. It works but that's about it. Way too many junction boxes in walls, spurs going all over. It's rubbish !! Everything is done in single twisted core wires in plastic flex conduit - no twin and earth cables. I think a small child must have put it in !! ha.ha. TBH, I think you need to find the best sparky you can and let them get on with it. Whatever you do related to a good job probably won't meet Spanish Regs. It's definitely not 17th edition !! Good luck.... Keith

My own experience in Spain would lead me to ask what voltage do you have?
My first property a maisonette had 220 volts from waist height down downstairs and 110 volts above that.
My second property a bungalow had a three phase 110 volt supply therefore 220 volts was achieved by using two phases with of course only one phase switched on lights etc.

He has no electric supply at all at the moment.

No DIY route then.
When it comes round to testing time they just wont pass it.

Spoke to our local electrician who also does the test certs this morning as I needed some bits off him.
He said any DIY would stop him from issuing a pass as he could never be sure it was up to standard and its his job on the line if anything went wrong.
He always contacts the firms who do the job to ensure they have the correct paperwork before he even starts the tests.

He smiled when he said he knew I had rewired the outside lights at the FIL place as they were tidy and over the top insulation wise thats something no Spanish spark is.

Then I would question what supply is available nearby and at what price?

Did up quite a few village houses in my time in Spain working with an experienced UK general builder.

Get the electrician to design the layout and mark out where the ducting, junction boxes and socket/switch boxes have to go.

Then you can set those into the walls - which is the bulk of the work - and he can come back to feed the cables and connect up the switches/sockets.

Still might not be able to do that either. The Uk regs were changed to remove the word 'competent' to match the EU 'Qualified' a while ago, which rules out almost all DIY work (same with gas, but not with water).
The chasing is the bit that takes the longest, thats why in the Uk it was always the apprentice job or you were able to DIY it, up to a couple of years ago you could even run the cables in the Uk just not connect anything.

The other issue here is that the Op has no current supply so Im assuming the licences will only be issued to a qualified electrician for the job. If he then allows the chasing to be done by the Op thats up to him.