In a community of owners, it is essential to understand which elements are private property and which are community property. This is particularly relevant in the case of electrical cables, as knowing which are private and which are communal can avoid security problems or, in the event of a power cut or breakdown, who is ultimately responsible.
Given that problems can arise in the electrical network of the community, and that sometimes these problems can have a high repair cost, it is when doubts arise among the owners as to who should assume these costs. So, the question is: to whom do the electrical cables involved belong? We will try to answer this question.
When are power cables private or communal?
The electrical wiring that extends from the main meter to the dwelling is considered communal. Thereafter, any electrical wiring problems occurring within the home are considered private.
This distinction is crucial: wiring is considered a common element until it reaches the general distribution board of the dwellings. From this point onwards, it is considered a private element.
Understanding this distinction is critical to the effective and fair management of electricity infrastructure in a community. In the next section, we will examine in depth how this differentiation affects accountability and maintenance in the community.
So who is responsible for breakdowns?
Electrical faults affecting the wiring that runs through the general conduits in a community are usually the responsibility of the community itself. This is because these cables are considered community elements, although the service they provide may be individualised for a specific owner.
Therefore, if a fault arises in the wiring of the general conduits, it will be up to the community to assume the costs and manage the repair of the same. It is important that there is a clear agreement between the owners on how to deal with this type of situation in order to avoid conflicts and ensure the correct maintenance of the common electrical installations.
Community and private elements of electricity cables
The electricity distribution network comprises various components, classified into common and proprietary elements:
Common elements
- General Protection Fund (GPC): This is where the cable that carries the electricity from the mains to a community The CGP is intended to ensure the safety of the installation and protect it against short circuits, overloads or faults. The purpose of the CGP is to ensure the safety of the installation and protect it against short circuits, overloads or faults.
- General power supply line: It is also called a delivery line, its function is the connection between the general box and the meter centralisation.. Consisting of three phase conductors, a neutral conductor and an earthing conductor.
- Line of force: It is used to power equipment or machines that consume a large amount of electrical energy.. This is the case for motors, pumps, compressors, etc. For example, it would be used to connect the three-phase conductors to the driving equipment of the community lift.
- Staircase and auxiliary lighting: It links the lighting of the common areas of the building and feeds, for example, the amplification and distribution equipment of the collective antenna or the lighting of the gardens and swimming pool.
Private elements
- Accountants: Responsible for measuring the electricity consumption of each dwelling.
- Individual referrals: They connect the meters to the main switchboards of the dwellings.
- Power Control Switch: It intervenes by cutting off the electricity supply in the event of exceeding the contracted power.
- General distribution table: Its main function is to protect the user from indirect contact with electricity.
- Indoor installation: Supplies electricity to each point of use of electrical energy within a dwelling.
Understanding the distinction between common and private elements is essential for the proper management and maintenance of the electrical infrastructure in a community.
Responsibilities linked to each type of element
All of the common elements mentioned above are the collective responsibility of the community. Therefore, it is essential to maintain their proper functioning to ensure a fair and safe distribution of electricity in all buildings and common areas.
It is the obligation of the community of owners to maintain the installations in a good state of repair and healthiness, and it is compulsory to carry out regular maintenance of electrical installations through a contract with a qualified company. to ensure its proper functioning.
On the other hand, the private elements, which include the meters, the individual taps, the power control switch, the main distribution board and the indoor installation, are the individual responsibility of each owner. Each owner must ensure that these components are maintained in good condition to ensure their efficiency and safety.
Understanding these differences is crucial for effective management of the electricity infrastructure in a community. In the next section, we will explore strategies and considerations for maintenance and management of potential problems.
Obligations of residents' associations
In homeowners' associationsIn order to ensure the proper maintenance and upkeep of the building and its services, mandatory inspections are essential. common. These periodic inspections must be carried out by qualified technical personnel belonging to any of the Authorised Control Bodies (OCA), which are public or private entities whose purpose is to verify the mandatory compliance with the safety conditions of industrial products and installations by means of certification, testing, inspection or audits.
Private and community cable inspections
Regarding the electrical installation, The inspection of low voltage electrical installations is regulated in the Low Voltage Electrotechnical Regulation (REBT) and its Complementary Technical Instructions (ITC) published in Royal Decree 842/2002 of 2 August 2002.either.
The regulation establishes that garages with more than 25 vehicles, swimming pools with an installed power of more than 10 KW and outdoor lighting with an installed power of more than 5 KW must be inspected every 5 years, while common areas of the building with a total installed power of 100 KW or more must undergo a periodic inspection every 10 years.
