Quote:
Originally Posted by Castellamonte
Assuming this is a personal dwelling I think if you wire it according to North American or European standards you'll be very far ahead of the game. Retain a local electrician to do the work as they know how to do it...but get good references first!
When I arrived here eight years ago I was amazed to discover that electricians, plumbers and even builders are not licensed trades. I asked someone how to qualify these people since the government didn't do it.
He answered that if someone takes two wires, twists them together and the light comes on...they are an electrician. Baffled, I asked what happened if the light didn't come on. "Oh," he said, "then they are a plumber". Straight faced.
Just make sure you get very good references. Keep an eye on the work so no short cuts are taken and you'll be happy.
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I don't know if there would be a code. There may. Santo Domingo city HAS a published building code which is quite detailed, to mention an example.
There seems to be no
colegio which regulates electricians only (I could find, at least).
But maybe
CODIA-Colegion Dominicano De Ingenieros, Arquitectos Y Agrimensores may be has some "authority" over that trade.
Otherwise, I'd be inclined to join in on Castellamonte's suggestion.
Get a book from the US about proper home wiring and follow the US code... you'd be ahead of most.
I got one I picked up at HomeDepot (others are available online) and was amazed to find ALL the instructions to build a home's electrical wiring in it.
The European system is very different to the US system. It's not just limited to the higher voltage. But boxes, breakers and generally available parts are quite different. The US system, properly installed also puts quite some emphasis on how outlets are connected to the "hot" and the "neutral" which the European system does not so much, as EU countries are much more centered on grounding. Likewise, it is code in most US states to have ALL outlets in "water" rooms (like kitchens, washing rooms and bath rooms) equipped with their own GFI. Not so in Europe as they have a different approach on the overall wiring. And no, I haven't seen many homes here in the DR equipped with GFI outlets either... but it's a good thing to have.
Use thick quality wires! Homes catch fire in the States, mostly because wires get too hot in older homes. The Ampere drain of some now common appliances can get them "boiling" quite easily. Over time that kills the insulation and one gets short cuts, sparks and
booom...
Do some reading about proper grounding. Again, size matters. And better two than just one ground rod. Proper grounding helps effectively using surge protectors on your valuable electronics too.
... J-D.
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electrical construction laws
