One ring main for whole house

[richo106]

I have just bought a relatively new house (15 years old) and didn't expect to do any major electrical work only moving the odd socket. however i went to isolate a socket and realised the whole house was fed off a single ring on 32amp.(still cant believe it was wired like that!)

I'm will be having a complete new kitchen fitted so i want to install a new ring main for the kitchen then have the rest of the house (3 bed) on the original ring. Ive never really done any work in domestic properties as ive always been on the industrial side, so i was thinking of finding the first and last socket in the kitchen and putting a link between them to complete the ring and then install a new ring for kitchen, there are plenty of spare ways in the CU.

I was just after some advice if this would be the best way to do it and if there is anything i should look out while attempting this.

Thanks

 

[Paul.M]

Before replying, just remember the OP is an Industrial spark, not a DIYer. Give help to a fellow Sparky (play nicely )

 

[Spoon]

You could do with seeing how the sockets wire to the ring. Draw a diagram of the ring circuit. The kitchen sockets may be the end of the ring so you could just connect to the socket before the kitchen sockets.
Does the CU have an RCD? Isn't this work notifiable, as it's a new circuit? (I may be incorrect)

 

[Simonslimline]

You could do with seeing how the sockets wire to the ring. Draw a diagram of the ring circuit. The kitchen sockets may be the end of the ring so you could just connect to the socket before the kitchen sockets.
Does the CU have an RCD? Isn't this work notifiable, as it's a new circuit? (I may be incorrect)

Yes it is notifiable work.

If it was my house i would not be worrying about that if i am honest. As long as it complies to 7671 and is tested and safe.

 

[Midwest]

Only issue with having one ring for whole house, is complying with reg 314 (division of installation). App 15 recommends a maximum of 100 sqm for 1 x RFC. Converting your existing RFC with your kitchen refurbishment would be an idea. You could consider a radial as well as a RFC.


PS: Beaten to it. Must type quicker.

 

[Bobster]

Could always split the ring at the kitchen and convert to 2 x 20A radials.

Then install a ring for the kitchen as necessary?

 

[richo106]

Haha thanks Paul. Yes the circuit is on the RCD side of the CU. So would you recommend leaving as it is or install a new ring for kitchen sockets?

 

[7029 dave]

Is the CU rcd split board?, as you are going to put in a new ring main, it needs to be or rcbo's. Check earth bonding gas and water, Its is notifiable, but as you are in the trade, your own home I would not sweat it, test "n" sheet filled out job done.

 

[Octopus]

On the basis the op has test equipment this should be a walk in the park!

 

[davesparks]

Yes you're on the right track, just remove the sockets you don't want and close up the ring. You can quite often re-route the existing cables so that you don't have to have a joint under the floor.

 

[Midwest]

OP, only prob with existing refurbished kitchens, is the fitters have had a field day with strip connectors and burying existing sockets in plaster, which does test your detective skills. Is the kitchen ceiling manky or covered in artex and need of skim of plaster?

 

[telectrix]

Yes you're on the right track, just remove the sockets you don't want and close up the ring. You can quite often re-route the existing cables so that you don't have to have a joint under the floor.

gor blimey. me 13stone. just imagining trying to squezze under the floor and then roll a joint.

 

[richo106]

The kitchen/diner will be skimmed walls and ceiling as there was artex on the ceiling and I will be installing downlights. With reference to splitting the ring so could I split the ring so the downstairs sockets are one and upstairs are on the other both on 20a breakers (RCD side) and then install a ring main for the kitchen. Also the people I bought it off have been there since the house was built and said they have not changed a thing (I believe them) so pretty sure there are no hidden joints etc...

 

[jackhammerJIM]

gor blimey. me 13stone. just imagining trying to squezze under the floor and then roll a joint.

Roll it before you go under Tel

 

[Midwest]

The kitchen/diner will be skimmed walls and ceiling as there was artex on the ceiling and I will be installing downlights. With reference to splitting the ring so could I split the ring so the downstairs sockets are one and upstairs are on the other both on 20a breakers (RCD side) and then install a ring main for the kitchen. Also the people I bought it off have been there since the house was built and said they have not changed a thing (I believe them) so pretty sure there are no hidden joints etc...

Personally, if your going to do a separate rfc/radial for the kitchen, I would leave the rest of the house on the existing rfc, unless you've got a massive pad. The reason I asked about the ceiling, was have you laid new flooring upstairs, perhaps preventing you from lifting floorboards/chipboard? Easier to have the old kitchen ceiling down & re-board, to rewire kitchen rfc etc?