ᐅ VDE regulations or DIN 18015-3 standards

I am currently having an issue with my electrician. After the building inspector from VPH visited, he criticized that the cables were not installed according to DIN 18015-3. However, in the electrician’s work agreement, it states installation according to VDE. Now my electrician claims that DIN 18015-3 is not strictly required within the VDE standards. My architect is acting as if the electrician is his client, not mine.

Is the electrician correct that, for example, data cables do not necessarily have to be installed in conduit, and electrical cables do not have to be placed 20 cm (8 inches) away from the wall? I would like to change the electrician, but we are in the final stage of the electrical installation and all tradespeople are very busy.

Best regards, Buddy

As always, the question is what was ordered?

The tender was based on the VOB (German Construction Contract Procedures).

buddy2014 schrieb:

I currently have a problem with my electrician. After the building inspector from VPH came, he criticized that the cables were not installed according to DIN 18015-3.

The DIN standards are not legal regulations but private technical guidelines with a recommendation character. They may reflect the generally accepted rules of engineering or fall short of them. As far as I remember correctly, DIN 18015-2 reflects the recognized rules of engineering; therefore, if I’m not mistaken, DIN 18015-3 would have needed to be contractually agreed upon.

buddy2014 schrieb:

My architect is acting as if the electrician is his client, not me.

Ultimately, he prepared the tender, and you approved it by signing. So what exactly does the tender specification say about the electrical trade?

buddy2014 schrieb:

Is the electrician correct ...

See above – it depends on the tender specification.

Regards, Bauexperte

The tender specified: Execution and billing shall comply with the applicable DIN standards as well as the latest version of the VOB.

buddy2014 schrieb:
The tender specified: Execution and billing shall comply with the relevant DIN standards as well as the latest version of the VOB.

This does not tell me whether the work must meet just the DIN standards or higher requirements. However, I am not a contract law expert. It is best to contact the Electrical Trade Association in Hamburg.

Regards, Bauexperte