I need to buy some electrical bits and pieces for installation in our
boat in Belgium. In particular I want some reasonable quality
European type sockets to replace the existing ghastly collection of
partly broken sockets hanging on the ends of loose wires.

Cable etc. I can obviously buy here in the UK (yes, I know, flex for
boats, etc.) and much of the other 'behind the scenes' stuff can be UK
made but the sockets themselves need to be local really.

So what DIY stores are there in Belgium? They don't seem to allow big
'hypermarché' type stores at all. Alternatively if I potter across
the border into France what are the best places there for simple
electrical stuff?

While I'm at it is there anything in principle against fitting both
European Schuko sockets and UK BS1363 sockets on the same system?

--
Chris Green

On Jul 14, 11:13*am, wrote:
While I'm at it is there anything in principle against fitting both
European Schuko sockets and UK BS1363 sockets on the same system?

Is there a situation where you would want Schuko in waterproof?
Ebay UK has 290373285510 which are Clipsal IP66 Schuko. They have a
clear front which is not unattractive in a domestic environment, it
makes it obvious what they are, the lid is snap down which easily
opens without being fiddly like many waterproof or splashproof
outlets. I think the Ebay listing is for the top only (LE, Less
Enclosure) and the backboxes are 38mm or 63mm re 56E1 or 56ES1 which
are difficult to source or costly. Hunts Electrical, Scatts.co.uk &
Jales Electrical and a few others - think RS do the backboxes too
under Gerrard Industries. The benefit is you can make them built-in
and waterproof. I think Masterseal do a Schuko model.

MK do the "conventional" stuff which you might find at interesting
prices. If you need 15A on an outlet, do not forget MK do a 15A plug
with shuttered 15A socket. No idea if there are heavy loads on a boat
but something to consider other than BS1363.

The OP asked for sources in Belgium or France.
Just look for any shop that says "Brico" or "Bricolage".
The best known ones in Belgium (Flanders) are Brico (sic), Gamma, and
Hubo.
These are essentially sheds and you could wire a house from their
stock.
For more specialised stuff you need local knowledge, yellow pages or
skillful Google
(Google: Zeebrugge brico gave me exactlty what you want).
In France roughly the same applies: look for "brico" places next to
super/hypermarkets.
There will be several in Lille (e.g. near Carrefour's, Leclerc's).
(Unfortunately) you can't miss them !
Hope this helps.

On 14 jul, 23:06, "js.b1" wrote:
On Jul 14, 11:13*am, wrote:

While I'm at it is there anything in principle against fitting both
European Schuko sockets and UK BS1363 sockets on the same system?

Is there a situation where you would want Schuko in waterproof?
Ebay UK has 290373285510 which are Clipsal IP66 Schuko. They have a
clear front which is not unattractive in a domestic environment, it
makes it obvious what they are, the lid is snap down which easily
opens without being fiddly like many waterproof or splashproof
outlets. I think the Ebay listing is for the top only (LE, Less
Enclosure) and the backboxes are 38mm or 63mm re 56E1 or 56ES1 which
are difficult to source or costly. Hunts Electrical, Scatts.co.uk &
Jales Electrical and a few others - think RS do the backboxes too
under Gerrard Industries. The benefit is you can make them built-in
and waterproof. I think Masterseal do a Schuko model.

MK do the "conventional" stuff which you might find at interesting
prices. If you need 15A on an outlet, do not forget MK do a 15A plug
with shuttered 15A socket. No idea if there are heavy loads on a boat
but something to consider other than BS1363.