I never install ring circuits, the potential for danger is unacceptable

[ZEDEZ]

I’d like to know if anyone else here refuses to install ring circuits in domestic premises.

For me it’s either a 20a radial / tree circuit with 2.5mm, or a 32 radial / tree circuit with 4.0mm.

Frankly I’m tired of finding broken ring circuits on 32a CB’s, as well as mismatches on end to end tests. It drives me nuts on jobs that should be simple.

I wish we would get rid of this ridiculous practice here in the UK.

I know some of you will say there’s nothing wrong with it when it’s properly installed and tested, but inevitably at some point in the future someone will come along and disconnect a conductor unknowingly while changing outlets on the circuit.

Testing is more complicated, and diagnosing faults on a ring also.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

Anyone uses 25A instead 32A for rings ?

I did, once, on a recent board change. Early 1980s bungalow with all cables in loft, later covered with insulation. Ref meth 101 not allowed.

According to my copy of the IEE wiring regs 14th edition amended 1976, reg A.33 (ii) "for ring final sub-circuits, the current rating of the conductors forming the ring is not less than 0.67 times the rating of the fuse or circuit breaker protecting the final sub-circuit". Putting it on a 25A would have it comply with the regs back then.

It wouldn't comply with current regs, but my 3rd party guy notifying it was happy with it (I'm not yet on a scheme), and it was a lot less itchy than putting conduit on every damn cable up there.

 

[Michaelp]

@Pretty Mouth If it happens and found an existing circuit on twin 4mm cable radial circuit i install 25A and remove the 32A.
I also install 25A on some circuits for example if is a 1 bedroom area only, or a living room area etc which i know there only few sockets and to use 30A load seems not possible.
On areas like the kitchen or machinery areas like garage i use 32A

 

[Pete999]

I did, once, on a recent board change. Early 1980s bungalow with all cables in loft, later covered with insulation. Ref meth 101 not allowed.

According to my copy of the IEE wiring regs 14th edition amended 1976, reg A.33 (ii) "for ring final sub-circuits, the current rating of the conductors forming the ring is not less than 0.67 times the rating of the fuse or circuit breaker protecting the final sub-circuit". Putting it on a 25A would have it comply with the regs back then.

It wouldn't comply with current regs, but my 3rd party guy notifying it was happy with it (I'm not yet on a scheme), and it was a lot less itchy than putting conduit on every damn cable up there.

14th edition bit behind the times Mate, it's the 18th now nearly

 

[Spoon]

I'm surprised what this is still going.
I'm feeling left out so I would just like to say, this should have finished at @wirepuller post #20, which pretty much sums this thread up.

 

[DPG]

Agree with Spoon - post 20 sums it up very well.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

14th edition bit behind the times Mate, it's the 18th now nearly

It was a christmas present to myself, along with a VERY reasonably priced PDF copy of the 18th edition plus OSG I got off ebay

 

[Pete999]

It was a christmas present to myself, along with a VERY reasonably priced PDF copy of the 18th edition plus OSG I got off ebay

But you quoted regs from the 14th, why when you say you have a digital copy of the 18th ludicrous.

 

[Pretty Mouth]

I know, terrible isn't it

 

[Pete999]

Nothing worse than what you call a 'tree circuit' for fault finding. Five or six legs, may be more and testing at each when installed, too. Rubbish.

Agree wholeheartedly with your post

 

[Dustydazzler]

RFC for general household power circuits

Radials for single appliances or small power circuits like a pair of garage sockets for example

 

[telectrix]

avearage house , I install RFC for kitchen/utility. living rooms and bedrooms I install radials. these will never see > 10A for any duration.

 

[Midwest]

Who woke up the sleeping dogs.

 

[static zap]

Who woke up the sleeping dogs.

Postie did it ! (we have a few women !)

 

[WallaceP]

Nice little treat when you get to the last socket and only have one cable to make off. However I would also say the ring is king

 

[KennyKen]

OP are you an Aussie or Kiwi by any chance?

I for one would not wire “A Tree circuit”

Radials I have no problem with.

Over here sparkies like to cut Junction boxes and run one cable to the Socket outlet. Shits me to tears especially when the junction box is inaccessible.