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| How
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DIY - Electricity |
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China uses 220 volt mains electricity
supply, with modern plugs having a maximum load of 13
amps. Halogen spotlights may run off low voltage DC
current, except for the mains AC current versions =
Don't presume!
Chinese electrics can appear slightly weird to those
of you used to the consistency of Western countries.
New houses are now following a basically international
wiring and standards code, but most dwellings you encounter
will still have the old systems in place.
The old rules go like this:
1. Use any colour wire you like when
first-fitting a home. Do not be consistent with wiring
from outlet to outlet, and use green wire as much as
possible: for Live, Negative, and Earth feeds. If green
gets too boring, then make it colourful by using any
pretty wire you just happen to have handy - or that
is on discount. These include: Red, Yellow, Blue, White,
Black; and the very pleasant new yellow and green designs.
2. To qualify to be a Chinese Electrician
you need to show you have done it before. If you can't
do this, then you will be an Electrician's 'assistant'.
3. Switches on plugs should only ever
be used to control other unrelated things - such as
nearby lights.
4. There is absolutely no limit to
the number of wires you can cram into the back of a
wall socket. If they don't all fit into the terminal
block, then tape some to a wire that does using cheap
plastic tape. This wire can be a different colour.
5. Amongst the mass of green wires,
try to add one red wire to both the Positive and Negative
terminals of each socket or switch - this shows to others
that you understood how you
did the original wiring.
6. If upgrading an existing installation,
then try and use different coloured wires or green as
much as possible.
7. Chinese use the 'Chinese Ring Main
System' - which is similar to the west, except that
each ring controls all the outlets in one room only
- that is: power sockets, lights, a/c, whatever.
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| Power sockets |
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There used to be 18 different types, sizes and
shapes of power connection sockets. In 2010 this
is reduced to 2 only: flat 2-pin and offset 3-pin
(Pictured).
Still common are square 3-pin, and large round
3-pin which have 15amp rating and are often used
for a/c units. |
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| Replacing Power Sockets |
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The replacement socket you use should be essentially
the same as the existing one - therefore if it
has 2 switches and 2 power outlets, buy a replacement
with 2 switches and at least 2 power outlets.
Try and replace with the new standard international
adapter style socket (Pictured) - this way you
can plug anything into it, including British square-pins
and shaver adapters.
Gently prize the socket away to reveal what lies
behind (We are presuming you already know how
to unscrew it from the wall). Be careful, as this
could be quite full, and wires could come adrift.
If it is simple, replace the socket. If it looks
confusingly complex, then take time out to understand
what every wire does. The switch will probably
control a light. Use an electrician's screwdriver
to test for live feeds and don't presume! Draw
a diagram if you need to. Once you fully understand
what is happening here - replace the socket. |
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| Strip Lights |
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Chinese strip lights come in all sizes, and
two types.
Old style tubes are mounted on a panel that does
not have a replaceable 'Starter'. These are efficient
and are still sold today. However, we advise you
to replace any faulty units with ones that do
have a replaceable starter. These only cost a
couple of £'s, and are well worth the investment.
Consider that whilst you are at it, you may want
to increase both the length of tube, and the wattage?
Fitting a replacement is pretty easy, and existing
fixings can normally be used. |
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| Consumer Units |
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These are usually quite modern and feature 'trip
switches'. Each large room will have a dedicated
circuit - which is 'ok' once you get your head
round it. A/c units should have their own circuit
on a special breaker. The Earth (Ground) may not
have an external connection from this box. The
main switch should turn off all power to your
apartment - check the meter to see if it has stopped
rotating, as sometimes it does not! |
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have a lot of information to add to this page,
so please call back next week. |
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This information is as supplied by ourselves, and ably
supported by our friends and various internet portals. |
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