Residential wiring in UK / Europe...

[Externet]

Hi.

Does wiring in concrete, block, stone walls runs mandatory inside metallic conduit?;  with several insulated single conductors or multiple bundled conductors ?  Is 'Romex type' multiple conductor wire used there ?

Is the 230V two 'live' wires from a centre-tapped utility transformer or is one of the conductors neutral ?  Are neutral and earth ground joined somewhere ?

[studiot]

14 minutes ago, Externet said:

Hi.

Does wiring in concrete, block, stone walls runs mandatory inside metallic conduit?;  with several insulated single conductors or multiple bundled conductors ? 

 

 

No, and conduit, if used is not required to be metal.

Insulated single or multiple bundled are both permitted and used.
Insulated single need a conduit.

16 minutes ago, Externet said:

Hi.

 Is 'Romex type' multiple conductor wire used there ?

 

Yes

 

18 minutes ago, Externet said:

Hi.

Is the 230V two 'live' wires from a centre-tapped utility transformer or is one of the conductors neutral ?  Are neutral and earth ground joined somewhere ?

 

No the US centre tapped bi-phase transformer system is not used.

In most installations transformers are not used.

The 200 - 240 volts is the interphase voltage and the higher phase voltages are used in Europe for high power, but not in the UK

There are different wiring configurations and fusing arrangements in different countries.

Most countries separate power and lighting/low power circuitry.

The UK favours a ring main system for power and daisy chaining for lighting.
Star wiring is permitted.

Continental Europe favours star wiring from a central fusebox for power ; some daisy chaining is allowed.

Since there is generally no transformer, there is no centre point to earth.
In fact in the UK it is illegal to earth the neutral; whilst in the US it is illegal not to earth it !
In Europe the supply company generally provides the earth separately, though this is a recent addition in some countries.

[Externet]

Thanks ! 

OK, checking...; one of the 230V conductors in a plain wall outlet is neutral and does not come from a power pole transformer centre tap.

The other is earth ground and comes from the utility company street pole. 

The last is 'live - hot - phase' from the utility company and does not come from a utility pole transformer 😕 and it is the only and single 'phase' electric conductor supplied to a household.

And each country in the european community does it the way they want.