Can I install lighting from the UK in a apartment in Spain - Is the wiring compatable etc.

Hi,

Yes UK electrical goods are compatible with the Spanish electrical system which is 230v.

If you are bringing electrical goods I suggest that you change the plugs to the Spanish type as apposed to using adaptors. 

Steve 

Thank you so much tebo53.

Have a great evening. Jan x

No Difference in wire supply but I am sure the lighting fixtures are much cheaper in Spain.

All UK electrical stuff is compatible with the supply in Spain.  Just remember that bulbs in lighting will have a the BC (bayonet cap) fitting and in Spain the ES (Edison screw) is used.  I doubt you will get BC bulbs in Spain, just remember to pack some when you come across.

You might be able to get a BC to ES adaptor but it will be hard to find.  You might get them in the UK.

If your table lamps have a two core wire you can fit the silly little two pin plugs to replace the 13Amp ones. They don't bother very much about correct polarity in Spain. Even the plugs with Earth connections can be put in either way round, something impossible with a 13A plug.

I find Spanish electrics one step away from dangerous.

You can get bulb addapters in Home base and B&Q. 

That's good to know, but rather than order anything from the UK and get stung for duty and risk them not being delivered I have just ordered a few from Ebay from China. Not the fastest delivery but no extra charges and I got 5 for just under €6   Click on attached pic.

Thats a good price as they are about £2 each in the UK 

"I find Spanish electrics one step away from dangerous"

All electrics are to the EU standard.

Never had any problems with Spanish electric in 10 years living here!

Steve 

The electrics may be to an EU standard but it falls well short of British Standards and IEE Regulations.  

Firstly there is little or no respect with regards to polarity of the wiring.  In the UK the RH pin of a socket is ALWAYS  the Live pin. In Spain it can be either. The reason being that there is a switch that isolates whatever is plugged in. There is never a switch on a Shuko socket and the plug can be put in either way round.  Appliances that have a switch on them have it in the Live wire so if the polarity is reversed the appliance you think is disconnected is LIVE.

Same with lamp holders. The bottom connection in an ES lampholder is the Live connection. If connected the other way round the outer or threaded, part becomes live and can be touched without too much difficulty.  In a BC lampholder both connections are at the bottom and impossible to touch.

You often see table lamps with metal parts connected to those ridiculous 2 pin plugs.  Again metal parts cannot be earthed and can become live. Just not possible with a 13A plug.  Everything with exposed metal parts should be earthed.  You can use a 2 pin plug on something that is double insulated but don't mess with the lampholder when it's plugged in.  This is pretty basic stuff.

The idea of putting the switch in any appliance in the Live wire is to prevent parts of said appliance remaining Live when you think it's turned off.

In the UK RCD breakers are not connected in circuits feeding fridges and freezers.  This is to prevent them thawing out should it trip unnecessarily as they often do.  I speak from experience here as we lost a freezer when the RCD tripped when we were in the UK.  The smell when we came back was horrific as was the mess. The freezers are now wired as per UK regs.

I could go on for pages but this is a short version why I think Spanish electrics are a load of crap and not fit for purpose.  Take this from someone with a Degree in Electrical Engineering and a lot of experience wiring buildings.  There is no safer system in the world than the UK system, which is why it's used round the world.