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.

 

[Squid]

As your title suggests......'the potential for danger is too great'......

I wouldn't touch gas as I'm not qualified too......

So why do folk touch electrics whilst not qualified.......?

As I've said on another thread they deserve a belt if they get one whilst interfering!

I'm totally against what you say......rings are king!

British standards are the daddy too so we better hang on to 'our' methods......

Fcuk the rest!!

pfffft I have done gas work in the past and the house is still here........

haven't had a bill in 20 years though........

 

[Baddegg]

Kev the bod should not be touching it, the same as you should not really be messing with various other things but we all do in a way, how many times has a "professional" electrician screwed things up.

Never don’t you read these threads @SWD!

 

[mattg4321]

Tree circuit sounds like its going to have hidden joints somewhere to me.

Any 'electrician' who admits to installing new circuits incorporating unaccessible joints deserves an instant forum ban in my opinion!

What a complete clown.

 

[peterhyper]

Tree circuit sounds like its going to have hidden joints somewhere to me.

Any 'electrician' who admits to installing new circuits incorporating unaccessible joints deserves an instant forum ban in my opinion!

What a complete clown.

How long would the forum ban be for (just curious)?

 

[Leesparkykent]

Tree circuit sounds like its going to have hidden joints somewhere to me.

Any 'electrician' who admits to installing new circuits incorporating unaccessible joints deserves an instant forum ban in my opinion!

What a complete clown.

That’s what I was thought...but was thinking no electrician would actually do this, would they? If that is the case then I’m with you and what a clown.

 

[mattg4321]

How long would the forum ban be for (just curious)?

Until the day they could persuade @Pete999 that Electrical Trainee courses are better than a 5 year apprenticeship

 

[Squid]

Never don’t you read these threads @SWD!

I read the ones from the punters having a bitch, its far more entertaining.......

 

[freddo]

I just checked this link, and apparently the book is out of stock. Have you all been buying a copy?

There are 4 available here.

 

[MJPD29]

... yes, there is something wrong with ring circuits - as I stated in my post.

Why would you never ever install a tree circuit?

Pointless joints all over the circuit. Poor design. Would much prefer ring or normal radial. As stated, anything is dangerous when interfered with by non competent persons there is absolutely no need to work at a circuit when you don't have a clue what your doing, otherwise they are perfectly acceptable and safe

 

[Squid]

Maybe"Jimmy" touched the OP's "ring" so thats why he finds it "dangerous"

;o))))

 

[Shoei]

There are pros and cons for any wiring scheme but the humble RFC has a lot going for it. Mainly fault tolerance, if a conductor is broken the worst case is that a single cable might carry 32A, that's about 18.5W/m and only a little more than a complete ring might take on one limb anyway.

As mentioned by others, the same applies to the CPC, a break in the cable leaves some protection intact.

By contrast, a single fault on a radial can be a serious problem. Best case, your kettle doesn't work, intermediate case you lose earth protection, worst case the arc from a cracked conductor burns your house down.

The last one is a common problem in territories that use radials as standard, which has led to the emergence of AFDDs, which sometimes shut off power before the fire starts, sometimes not.

Regardless of why RFCs appeared, they're a robust and simple engineering solution to improve safety, for little extra cost and effort.

 

[dmxtothemax]

you cannot idiot proof everything,
changing something that has worked well
because of a few idiots to me is un acceptable
what happeneed to majority rules
or is it now the noisey minority rules ?

 

[Deleted member 9648]

It seems fairly conclusive that the OP is on his own with this one!

 

[Squid]

It seems fairly conclusive that the OP is on his own with this one!

Might have been covered in week 4 of the 5 week course.........

 

[SparkyAndGeorge]

I generally agree with you. Broken rings are quite a common finding. As the old saying goes "keep it simple, stupid"

I’m still interested in what a tree circuit is?

I've never heard this term either. I think its basically a radial circuit with a spur at almost every point, very messy. Common on diy and builder installs.