What is C15-100 standard?
The C15-100 standard is a French standard (NF) which concerns low-voltage electrical installations. Guardian of your electrical safety, the standard defines each aspect of an installation, from its design to its maintenance. Applicable to new equipment as renovated, it guarantees not only optimal protection of occupants, but also the lasting reliability of any low voltage installation. This involves arrangements on a multitude of elements, such as lighting, power outlets, electric heating or charging stations.
The C15-100 standard is actually a set of standards, divided into sub-assemblies dealing with general provisions, specific rules, energy efficiency and residential premises. The full standard can be acquired in PDF format on the AFNOR website. Here are some examples of what has changed since the recent update.
The type F circuit breaker
The C15-100-10 standard deals with the obligations in terms of differential switches in the residential premises. It notably indicates the number and type of necessary circuit breakers. From now on, the differential switch of type F is required. This offers additional security against untimely triggers, especially for the most sensitive to micro-cuts.
Fire fighting: wiring and arc detectors
In order to improve fire prevention, the standard includes the fire reaction classification called “Euroclass” for isolated drivers and cables. The cables used in the new construction of ERP (establishments open to the public) and IGH (high -rise buildings) will be subject to stricter regulations and must guarantee a better reaction to fire in the event of a fire. RV2 cables, widely used in this type of construction, can no longer be used.
At the residential level, standard 15C-100 recommends the use of arc defects protection devices (DPDA). These devices are used to protect the power circuits from potential fires caused by electric arcs. By instantly detecting the electric arcs caused by damaged cords or sockets, these devices automatically isolate the zone at risk of your installation. This reaction constitutes an essential protection against the departures of electrical fire.
A modification about parafudres
With the new version of the C15-100 standard, the risk assessment of lightning to decide on the compulsory or not a surgery installation is no longer done using a card, but a calculated risk level. In practice, many more installations will have to submit to the standard and install a surge. In the residential, the secondary arrangement is now recommended for a distance greater than 10 meters from the main survey, against 30 meters before. The surgery is compulsory on copper communication networks.
Electric vehicles are also concerned
As part of the recharging or rechargeable hybrid vehicle (IRVE) recharge installations in residential as in tertiary sector, the C15-100 standard now requires the following elements:
- A DDR (residual differential device) on a circuit dedicated to the recharge infrastructure of electric vehicles (differential type A or F in single -phase, type B differential in three -phase).
- Wabbs for plug bases and cords attached with files up to 32 A (and fast loading advised)
- The dimensioning of cables and protections as a function of the characteristic values indicated on the terminal
These elements make it possible to improve the safety of users when recharging their electric vehicle, while guaranteeing a more efficient installation.
Energy efficiency at the heart of the new standard
This update includes an essential element of the standard which did not exist in its old version: the concept of energy efficiency, formalized in a new C15-100-8 section. Whether for commercial or residential buildings, it draws the way to more responsible and better controlled electricity consumption.
The new regulations are aligned with European and international standards and offers a real energy optimization strategy. His goal? Maximize the use of each kilowatt hour, whether it comes from the public network or local production. It is based on three main pillars:
Avoid waste
The standard targets the main sources of energy losses: from electrical (harmonic) disturbances to losses in transformers. Each point of loss is identified and processed for a more efficient installation.
Consume at the right time
The energy efficiency of your installation is revealed in its ability to orchestrate consumption. Thanks to the automated equipment management, energy can be used when it is most relevant – and often the cheapest.
Continuous improvement
The precise measurement of consumption becomes the key to an evolutionary installation. By analyzing the data, you can constantly adjust and optimize your use of energy.
Despite the complexity and exhaustiveness of the standard and its ramifications with other European standards, we can expect to benefit from safer and more robust electrical installations from 2025.
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