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.

 

[freddo]

Crikey is this thread still current?

The participants couldn't resist posting.

 

[telectrix]

after reading this, think i'll have to ring radial my psychiatrist

 

[Charlie_]

It’s sending me loopy

 

[Pete999]

I work mostly in coach building/mobile hospitality building, We very rarely use ring finals for sockets for the following reasons:

layouts are always being messed with, so easier to change not having to keep in a ring.

If a cable gets damaged in transit, we only loose a small circuit covering a couple of sockets, rather than a ring which would cover a much bigger area.

some installs are for europeans, and a ring would confuse them!

If something starts tripping while in use, and a muppet starts playing with the DB, no chance of him putting the 2 legs on a different phase!!

The only times a ring has really been used is when there will be heavy usage and only room for a small DB.


I now just prefer multiple radials for other work mainly for their simplicity.

Have to be a complete Plank to put the lives on a RFC on 2 differing phases, don't you bother to do any testing then, or is it a case of install, connect and hope for the best?

 

[Pete999]

after reading this, think i'll have to ring radial my psychiatrist

Think I have become radialised.

 

[Red Tony]

Pack of lazy bar stewards

 

[MJPD29]

What is a tree circuit? ??

Also known as spider wiring it is usually using junction boxes and different main points and taking a leg off then to a socket so you'll only ever have 1 cable at a socket rather than 2 but adds a lot of pointless joints

 

[ipf]

What is a tree circuit? ??

….where lights involved, watch your head for dead roses dropping in late autumn......

 

[Lucien Nunes]

Ring supplying almost whole house (bad & old design) had broken possibly for a while. Socket nearest db on longer leg had a hairdryer plugged in and melted cable insulation leading to a dead short.

Please tell us more:
Was the faulty leg of cable thermally damaged throughout its length (or throughout the section with the lowest Iz if not constant?)
What cable type, CSA and install method? What OCPD? Would it have been fully compliant had the ring been intact?

 

[Michaelp]

Anyone uses 25A instead 32A for rings ?

 

[Pete999]

Anyone uses 25A instead 32A for rings ?

NO

 

[Pete999]

NO

I answered the question, what more do you need? freddo?

 

[freddo]

Lol button hit by accident!

 

[lozarus]

If the main argument here is that external factors can cause a ring to split which can cause 32a protection to be too much for the cable .....what about if an external factor causes the 20a radial to be redirected / modified to travel through an insulated stud wall ref 103 or 101? My point being external influences can happen at any point and change characteristics.

 

[Bobster]

Whilst were at it, I believe we should install a 300mm^2 copper bus system around the house.

You know, just in case someone decided to make an alteration.

Where's that sarcasm filter at.