Potential overload of ring mains

[Callcom]

At a house viewing I saw a dozen electric radiators connected mainly by plugs into wall sockets, one or two (in bathrooms) connected to fused spurs. I calculated nearly 14Kw and I'm given to understand all these rads are connected to either of two ring mains with 32A breakers.

A quick look at the consumer unit showed all the powerful stuff on dedicated circuits, apart from washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, steam oven, so these must be plugged into one or other of the two ring mains. There was no dedicated circuit for the electric rads.

I know you can have unlimited sockets for a floor area > 100m2, but I would have thought all those rads on a cold winter's day would cause tripping? I'm looking at having to re-wire if I go ahead with the house, unless anyone disagrees?

Cheers

 

[davesparks]

It is unlikely to cause tripping of the mcb due to the diversity of the loads, however it is a pretty poor setup.

How well insulated is the property? Improving the insulation may reduce the amount of heat input required and thus reduce the problem and your electricity bills.

 

[Octopus]

Back to the OP:

Is this a house you are thinking of buying?

If so commission a local decent spark to do an EICR and don't be fobbed off with a drive past sub £100 report. A decent report, in your area is going to cost £150 upwards and take half a day or more.

You could specify, that the EICR looks closely at the electric radiators too, so you can get decent information too.

You never know, there could be a 2nd fuse board and the "old" storage heater circuits have been used.

 

[static zap]

It is unlikely to cause tripping of the mcb due to the diversity of the loads, however it is a pretty poor setup....Hi Bills )

Diversity produced by thermosts is OK , until
they are all synchronised by a Thermal effect ,like turning off
for a few days holiday -(with no background heating) .
Then coming back whens its cold and switching them all back on at same time (Just like a power cut)

 

[Callcom]

Well, Christmas over, with a house full, immersions on, all heating turned up, two ovens on etc etc, and not a hint of a problem. So I guess I'll just go with it for the foreseeable until and unless anything does happen. Bearing in mind we've had a few cold snaps, including the last couple of days, I'm optimistic that my concerns were unfounded. Thanks to all who took the time to reply.

 

[Taylortwocities]

If you want to do some checking by yourself, you could get a cheap clamp meter like this LAP Digital Clamp Meter 600A - https://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-digital-clamp-meter-600a/8906f
and keep and eye on what the actual load of each circuit is.

 

[Callcom]

That's a good idea, thanks!

 

[Callcom]

Had a look at clamp meters, great solution except you can only clamp individual conductors - apart from a Megger model which doesn't seem available any more. Individual conductors are only accessible in the CU, not sure if you could get the clamp in there. Splitting cables doesn't seem an easy option?

 

[Callcom]

Maybe the idea is a flexible adapter, a hoop you can unplug and pass behind the conductor and then re-plug, pushing the banana plugs at the other end of the adapter into your multimeter. Not cheap at £100+ though.

 

[Taylortwocities]

Individual conductors available in every socket. on a ring final the same current(ish) will be at every socket.
But there’s usually room for a clamp meter in the CU, One of the line conductors going into the MCB Is the usual place. There’s usually a short loop at that point.

 

[Callcom]

I hadn't thought about the sockets - presumably you'd need a plug-in module with split cables attached? Cheers

 

[Taylortwocities]

No, you won’t get any current there.
Unscrew the socket and access the conductors behind. But better and more accurate inside the consumer unit.

 

[Callcom]

OK, thanks for your help.

 

[DPG]

Take socket front off, clamp meter on live conductor. Don't do it using a 13A plug top as you will only see the current that the plugged in device is using.

 

[shaun1]

Or you can clamp the live meter tail to get total current. And then switch on one circuit at a time to see individual circuit currents.

 

[Pete999]

Had a look at clamp meters, great solution except you can only clamp individual conductors - apart from a Megger model which doesn't seem available any more. Individual conductors are only accessible in the CU, not sure if you could get the clamp in there. Splitting cables doesn't seem an easy option?

I have 1 of those Megger clamps handy bit of kit.