While I don't have any exact figures as far as I am aware the number of deaths by electrocution in Western Europe is quite low per 1000 people. I wouldn't think that the UK's are any worse / better than most other EU countries.
Remember that many other EU countries have far stricter regulation than the UK on a whole range of issues. I don't think it's at all fair to call non-UK European regs "mickey mouse" From a German/Swiss/French/Scandinavian perspective one could equally point at many aspects of the UK system and call it "mickeymouse".
Many British commentators seem to base their view of non-British electrical systems entirely on one bad experience with a French Gite (rented converted farm building) with 1930s wiring or on a very very very cheap holiday apartment in Spain.
However, getting back to the thread, I would be interested to see if damaged ring circuits caused by DIY botching leads to an increased number of house fires. Although, I doubt that data would be as easy to find as deaths due to electrocution.
To give you the Irish 2002 (latest I could find) statistics:
Fatal Accidents invloving electricity : 4
Locations:
Field (Farm): 2
Building under construction : 1
Electrical Substation (indoor) : 1
Voltage level:
380/220V (LV) : 1
10/20kV (MV) : 3
Equipment involved:
Overhead line : 2
Transformer: 1
Flex: 1
Installation Equipment Defects:
Not known / no defect : 4
2001 : 4
Locations:
Reception/Dining/Bedroom : 1
Outhouse (farm) : 1
Field (farm) : 1
Road (fallen line) : 1
Voltage Level:
380/220V (LV) : 2
10/20kV (MV) : 1
> or = 38kV : 1
Equipment involved:
Overhead Line : 2
Cable or Wiring: 1
Fixed Apperatus : 1
Installation Equipment Defects:
Earthing Ineffective : 1
Parts not normally live not earthed : 1
Not Known / No Defect : 2
Total Population 3.9 million people.
[This message has been edited by djk (edited 05-16-2004).]
