Electricity cable color code?

Accomodation, House and Garden
1
Im installing a breakfast table and need to change a one point plug into a 3 point plug (just a simple swap-over I thought) but the old electricity cable into the one point plug is still using the old colour code system,

Does anyone know what the old colours mean? it's not 3 phase cabling I am using, just 2 (brown/blue)

Also, I was originally going to channel a line in the wall so I could add another power point somewhere else but was told that it has to be checked by an electrician, this was after I had bought the power points and all that from the DIY store

Now I am just going to make alternatives......

2
Just a very humble suggestion from me.... My son in the building industry, (qualified Baufuhrer) does our building alterations around our house.... but he still gets an electrician to install all electrical thingies, even though he is a capable South African who did his own electricals in SA .....safer in this country to do things "correctly".

Pricing the DIY parts we have found that the Electical companies are not "rip-off" artists - there being no great discrepancies in the prices of good they supply. We find the Swiss Electricians are sympathetic to DIY folk and will try and keep costs down, plus they are extremely efficient and quick.

3
Switzerland - Brown is Line, Light Blue is neutral and Yellow/Green is Ground. No yellow/green indicates no ground. And yes you can do it yourself in Switzerland. Just kill the breakers and test with an amp meter to make sure the power is off, connect and recheck. Good Luck.

4
Okay, so I discussed your problem with my son - the Baufuhrer (remember?)... and he says you need to put in new electric cables, dont waste your time trying to install new switches with the old cables ... they need to be re-done if they just 2 pin plugs - they`re old amps (or whatever its called), and not up to modern standards.

You call an electrician, preferably a small firm, not the big guys, and explain what you are prepared to do (spitzing the walls, threading cables, re-plastering, etc) he should be very happy you`re going to do the time-consuming non-electricals, and he just has to do the actual electrics. If the guy is made to understand that you just want a simple necessary job that is safe and in the long run cost-effective - he will supply you the necessary cabling and explain to you what you need to do. He will come in to make only the actual connections, and will give you a good quote for the job. Don`t try and economise - in the long run it will cost more to make DIY shortcuts.

At the same time, make sure you are not needing an extra outdoor light or anything similar because it can all be worked in at virtually the initial cost.... and the job will be more effective, all round.

We are doing similar things with our old house, and finding the local firms very helpful, and only too happy that we do the "groundwork" and finishing off.