Electrical outlets: what does the NF C 15-100 standard say?

What is the NF C 15-100 standard?

The NF C 15-100 standard, also known as the C 15-100 standard, is the standard that regulates all low voltage electrical installations in France. This standard defines the authorized and recommended uses for electrical installations in homes.

It gives indications on a set of elements, such as power outlets, communication outlets, protection ratings, specialized circuits, lighting, connection boxes, DCLs (lighting connection devices), electrical heating, lightning protection, premises containing a bathtub or shower, or technical sheaths.

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

 The objectives of the NF C 15-100 standard are the following:

• To make homes safer: compliance with the NF C 15-100 standard is the guarantee of safe electrical installations within a home;
• To bring more comfort to the dwellings.

The NF C 15-100 standard is updated regularly, according to the evolution of electrical technologies. Its last modification dates from June 2015.

Who is concerned by the NF C 15-100 standard?

The NC C 15-100 standard must be respected in 3 specific cases, namely the construction of a dwelling, the renovation of a place, and the extension.

The NF C 15-100 standard for electrical outlets

Among the various subjects it regulates, the NF C 15-100 standard deals with electrical outlets. Here are the different points on which it imposes safety obligations:

• The different types of outlets;
• The number of outlets per room;
• The height of the sockets;
• The size of the protection.

Discover below the details of the regulation for each of the following points.

The different types of outlets

The NF C 15-100 standard distinguishes two types of outlets:

• Non-specialized outlets, type 16 A 2P+T ;
• Specialized outlets. These sockets are necessary to supply household appliances that require high power. For example, the oven, the stove, the washing machine, the dryer, the dishwasher…

The number of outlets per room

The NF C 15-100 standard specifies the minimum number of non-specialized and specialized outlets required for each room. Below this minimum number, the dwelling occupants run the risk of lacking comfort and endangering their electrical installation and consequently themselves.

The standard defines the minimum number of electrical outlets to be installed in the kitchen, living room, bedrooms/offices, bathroom, and other rooms.

Electrical outlets in the kitchen

According to the NF C 15-100 standard, a kitchen must be equipped with :

• 6 non-specialized sockets, including 4 above the work surface(s) if the surface is greater than 4 m² ;
• 3 non-specialized sockets, 4 of which must be above the work surface(s) if the surface is less than 4 m²;
• 3 specialized outlets for large household appliances.

The standard also specifies that an additional socket for the hood can be placed above the cooking plates, provided that it is installed at a minimum height of 1.80 m. In addition, the axis of the electrical outlets must be placed at a maximum of 1.30 m from the floor (except for the outlet dedicated to the hood).

Sockets in the living room

According to the NF C 15-100 standard, a living room must be equipped with :

• Minimum 5 sockets, with 1 socket for every 4 m² of floor space;
• Minimum 6 sockets up to 28 m²;
• Minimum 7 sockets from 28 m².

The standard also specifies that two additional non-specialized outlets must be reserved for multimedia uses. By default, these two outlets are located in the living room but can also be found in another room. In addition, a non-specialized outlet must be installed near the lighting control device located at the entrance to the room. Finally, the axis of the outlets must be located at a maximum of 1.30 m from the floor.

Sockets in rooms/offices

According to the NF C 15-100 standard, a room or an office must be equipped with :

• Minimum 3 sockets.

The standard also specifies that the axis of the sockets must be located at a maximum of 1.30 m from the floor and that a non-specialized socket must be installed near the lighting control device.

Sockets in the bathroom

According to the NF C 15-100 standard, a bathroom must be equipped with :

• 1 socket outlet minimum;
• 1 socket supplied by a shaver separating transformer with rated power between 20 VA and 50 VA.

The standard also specifies that the axis of the outlets must be located at a maximum of 1.30 m from the floor and that one non-specialized outlet must be installed near the lighting control device.

Sockets in other rooms

In other rooms, such as corridors, entrances, toilets, annexes with a surface area of less than 4 m², the NF C 15-100 standard requires 1 socket. The measure also specifies that the axis of the sockets must be located at a maximum of 1.30 m from the floor and that a non-specialized socket must be installed near the lighting control device.

Summary: the standard by room

Room	Surface	Minimum number of outlets
Kitchen	less than 4 m²	3
Kitchen	More than 4 m²	6
Living room	less than 28 m²	5
Living room	More than 28 m²	7
Bedroom and office	All areas combined	3
Bathroom	All areas combined	1
Others	All areas combined	1

What about outlets outside the house? According to the NF C 15-100 standard, outdoor outlets must be supplied by specialized circuits. Depending on the situation, reliable differential protection may be necessary. Also note: the power supply for outdoor outlets must be made of cable.

The size of the protection

The circuit breaker that protects an outlet circuit must have a specific rating. The rating depends on the cross-section of the copper wires through which it is fed.

• 1.5 mm maximum: 16A rating;
• 2.5 mm maximum: 20A rating.

Quantities per electrical circuit

The NF C 15-100 standard also specifies the number of electrical outlets not to be exceeded according to the cable section used. The two main recommendations are the following:

• For a 16A circuit breaker and a wire section of 1.5 mm, do not go beyond 8 sockets;
• For a 20A circuit breaker and a 2.5 mm wire section, do not exceed 12 outlets.

The height of the outlets

The NF C 15-100 standard sets the height at which the outlets must be installed according to two criteria, namely a minimum and a maximum size.

The minimum height is 5 cm from the finished floor for 16A outlets and 12 cm from the finished floor for 32A outlets. The maximum size to be respected is 1.30 m from the ground. This last rule has been set to meet the regulations concerning accessibility for disabled people.

NF C 15-100 standard: the Consul certificate

When building, renovating, or extending a home, compliance with all the elements of the NF C 15-100 standard is an obligation. The points mentioned above, but also all the other rules defined by the standard concerning electrical safety in a more global way, must imperatively be respected. To prove this, you must request a certificate of compliance, either from the Consul (National Committee for the safety of electricity users) in the case of work or from the seller in the case of the construction of a home. The certificate will be given to you after the installations and equipment have been checked by a specialist.

Electrical outlets: call on a professional

Whether for your electrical outlets or any other electrical installation, you must respect the NF C 15-100 standard. To be sure you are in compliance if in doubt, call a professional. They will be able to explain to you the precise rules you must apply according to the configuration of your home and to carry out the necessary work if necessary.

Now It’s Your Turn

So that’s how I understand NF C 15-100 standard.

Now I want to turn it over to you: Through my article, you understand what does the NF C 15-100 standard say?

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