Why do finnish lights switch work opposite to UK

Tom and Jerry · Post by **Tom and Jerry** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:33 pm

Genau! Das stimmt. Nicht ein änderung ist erlaubt an die elektrische leitunge ins Haus. Nur ein Finnishe fachman der die Finnische sicherungsregulierungen lesen kann, darf diese leitungen ändern.

**Sponsor:**

Tom and Jerry · Post by **Tom and Jerry** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:35 pm

It's Friday. Sorry for that.

No, you are not allowed to change anything on the electric devices in the house. Forbidden.
You have to order a Finnish speaking electrician who has a Finnish license.

tjawatts · Post by **tjawatts** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:43 pm

How about wiring up a plug or a light fitting?

Are you talking generally about flats/apartments or does that also apply to wholly owned OKT?

Tony

Mook · Post by **Mook** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:48 pm

The electrical work has to be *certified* by someone qualified, so you could do the work yourself if you know someone who can check it for you.

In flat and apartments, the wiring is owned Yhtio (House company). So you shouldn't touch it (In theory they have to accept all work that's done). However if something goes wrong they will pay to have it fixed. Same goes for heating, windows, plumbing, ...

-Michael

Tom and Jerry · Post by **Tom and Jerry** » Fri May 28, 2004 3:50 pm

I'm talking about LVI työ. It's all work on the electric wires. Somebody else can look at Google with:
LVI määräykset säännöt säädökset
how it is written in the law.
Anyhow the profession of electrician is protected by thousand regulations, all written in Finnish.

In practice many do simple corrections to the electricity themselves. As long as you don't show it your neighboor, the police and don't tell it to your assurance agency, your wife and mistress, it's ok.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:02 pm

And you can forget about getting any insurance money either, if they find any funky electrics.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:06 pm

Basically with the new regulation even putting a fan lamp up is not allowed by oneself. Say rewiring a kitchen (new sockets etc) is totally out of the question. It seems these days the new flats have these plugs in the roof you mustn't change the ceiling socket yourself.

Make · Post by **Make** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:31 pm

Hank W. wrote:Basically with the new regulation even putting a fan lamp up is not allowed by oneself. Say rewiring a kitchen (new sockets etc) is totally out of the question. It seems these days the new flats have these plugs in the roof you mustn't change the ceiling socket yourself.

Can't you do it yourself and get it then approved by a certified electrician?

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:31 pm

Do you know how much certification without installation costs? (if there is someone who will take the responsibility of certifying a non-electrician-made wiring...)

Make · Post by **Make** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:36 pm

No, but I just wondered because it is still possible to get it done like that in Hollanti...

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Fri May 28, 2004 4:39 pm

Well, the "do you know" part was a rhetoric. It can be done, but the inspecting is really overpriced. I had a decent bill from the waterproofing of my bathroom inspection. Not saying it is not done in Finland - but can you save with it...

garywatkins · Post by **garywatkins** » Sun May 30, 2004 11:55 am

As a foreigner I usually mange to trip over the door threshold, stumble forward, slip on the mat and hit my head on the light switch (that's at the other end of the corridor). That usually does the trick.

My troubles really start when trying to negotiate with a Finnish two pin plug (especially when in a hurry or when slightly worse for wear) and especially in the winter when the patent threshold dive has been unsuccessful.

Push and turn, turn and push, hammer home or just push the bare wires in and hold in place with match sticks?

I thought the switch pitch had run out of juice. Sorry.

bretti_kivi · Post by **bretti_kivi** » Sun May 30, 2004 12:22 pm

i'm used to the fact that when you replace the "fuseboard" - these days with the nice RCDs - you have to get it checked over by the electric company before they approve its connection, but that that inspection can cost serious money is new for me. ah well, something new learned today...

i'm not sure about the standard of plugs in FIN. here in DE it's absolutely atrocious...most of them the Earth pins don't work correctly and then it's bye bye normal europlugs... urgh. and no shutters! why didn't we manage to get the UK plug declared standard in europe? much safer...

anyway, so much for a cheap rewire....

Bret

deojuvame · Post by **deojuvame** » Sun May 30, 2004 12:28 pm

Aw come on guys

I mean this in the nicest possible way, but just deal with it, it's part of the package of living in a different country.

I think part of it is the culture shock, these little differences that freak you out because you didn't realize how much of your reality is based on almost subconscious assumptions on "the way things are". But these things pass...

Next thing you know, there's gonna be a post here on why people drive on the "wrong" side of the road and how to get around that

strawberry · Post by **strawberry** » Sun May 30, 2004 3:11 pm

On a more serious note (sorry guys

), if you need/wish to do some electrical work in your home, there is a place to ask whether it's allowed as DIY or not and then you don't lose out on the insurance:
http://www.tukes.fi/englanti/index_englanti.html

Finland Forum

Find information about moving to, living in and life in Finland

Why do finnish lights switch work opposite to UK

Forget light switches! What about plugs?