Fault Finding - Ring : Techniques?

[LukeScotty]

Currently have an unknown fault on a ring circuit on a job i've been on, not had time to look as it was end of the day, wanting to know everyones techniques in finding faults on a ring in a house, as how the house is wired isnt going to be straight forward etc... your comments please

 

[WarrenG]

Unplug everything on the circuit.

Disconnect any neon fuse spurs / sensitive fixed appliances

Complete an IR test on circuit - if circuit ok - find faulty appliance.

If fault still on circuit - split circuit in the middle and IR test each leg.

Keep splitting the circuit on the leg where the fault remains untill the fault is found.

Repair / Replace / sorted


Warren

 

[LukeScotty]

yep, thats what i'd do, does anyone else have a different way?

cheers warren

 

[Spudnik]

Im not sure there is a different way!

Just more of a variation on a theme.

 

[simopesh]

No there isn’t! Full stop unless you want to go in circles like the ring itself!

 

[mdshunk]

A TDR can be a helpful instrument in finding where the fault is, distance wise. If you have a half-decent idea of how the circuit is likely run, the TDR reading will give you a better idea of the distance at which you should begin to "divide and conquer".

 

[ian.settle1]

A TDR can be a helpful instrument in finding where the fault is, distance wise. If you have a half-decent idea of how the circuit is likely run, the TDR reading will give you a better idea of the distance at which you should begin to "divide and conquer".

mdshunk

I think most contractors don't know what a TDR is let alone know how to use one.

 

[DanBrown]

mdshunk

I think most contractors don't know what a TDR is let alone know how to use one.

What is a ''TDR''??

 

[TPES]

Unplug everything on the circuit.

Disconnect any neon fuse spurs / sensitive fixed appliances

Complete an IR test on circuit - if circuit ok - find faulty appliance.

If fault still on circuit - split circuit in the middle and IR test each leg.

Keep splitting the circuit on the leg where the fault remains untill the fault is found.

Repair / Replace / sorted


Warren

Dumb question and will prob kick my self once you say, but how do i find the middle of the ring ?

Thanks

 

[winegum]

What is a ''TDR''??

Time Domain Reflectometer

 

[Des 56]

Dumb question and will prob kick my self once you say, but how do i find the middle of the ring ?

Thanks

You can find the approx middle of the cable run by cross connecting the lives and cpcs and finding the highest r1 r2 reading but this may not be where the middle of the outlet quantities are
The best way I find is split the ring at the consumer unit and a hopefull central socket energise the clear legs and check which outlets are now live
and go from there

 

[ian.settle1]

You can find the approx middle of the cable run by cross connecting the lives and cpcs and finding the highest r1 r2 reading but this may not be where the middle of the outlet quantities are
The best way I find is split the ring at the consumer unit and a hopefull central socket energise the clear legs and check which outlets are now live
and go from there

You should be glad I'm not your boss as if I caught you doing the later you would be looking for a new job, a dangerous practice if I ever heard one.

You have an accident doing that and the HSE will be over you like the plague.

 

[andyb]

Dumb question and will prob kick my self once you say, but how do i find the middle of the ring ?

Thanks

There is no easy way or answer.
All you can do is assertain which sockets are on the ring and and work out how you would wire it yourself. Then hope the origional electrician run it the same.
Good luck.

 

[Des 56]

You should be glad I'm not your boss as if I caught you doing the later you would be looking for a new job, a dangerous practice if I ever heard one.

You have an accident doing that and the HSE will be over you like the plague

.

When a fault is cleared
Even if what was once a ring main now becomes a radial
Connecting that radial to an appropriate sized MCb and energising that circuit to ascertain the supplied outlets is standard SAFE practise
Where in your comment does the DANGEROUS PRACTISE reference apply to

If I were your boss I would ask where comments that you have given are contradictory to safety or regulations
If you had a lighting radial with a damaged cable during a fault finding excersise
If the replacement of that cable at that time was unable to be carried out
Would you not clear the faulty section of that radial in order to re-supply some of the lighting of the customer
The advise given is no different
My SAFE working advise will stand

 

[bonjovi]

i knew that dr who had one as well