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

 

[Callcom]

Thanks for the suggestions, some good ones there. CU might be the best bet, though space is a little limited. I also thought you needed to avoid close proximity to other conductors as that might affect the magnetic field. I'll go for the cheap clamp meter off Amazon and experiment - though as I say there's been no tripping at all so far even with the system under reasonably high load (I'm not looking forward to the bill though..)

 

[Pete999]

Thanks for the suggestions, some good ones there. CU might be the best bet, though space is a little limited. I also thought you needed to avoid close proximity to other conductors as that might affect the magnetic field. I'll go for the cheap clamp meter off Amazon and experiment - though as I say there's been no tripping at all so far even with the system under reasonably high load (I'm not looking forward to the bill though..)

This is what you need, might find one on ebay, I still have mine.
http://www.biddlemegger.com/biddle-ug/Flexiclamp_200_UG.pdf

 

[Pete999]

This is what you need, might find one on ebay, I still have mine.
http://www.biddlemegger.com/biddle-ug/Flexiclamp_200_UG.pdf

FLEXICLAMP200 NEUTRAL | Flexiclamp 200 multicore clamp meter | 241-4007 | Welcome to RS Online - http://in.rsdelivers.com/product/neutral/flexiclamp200/flexiclamp-200-multicore-clamp-meter/2414007

 

[GeorgeCooke]

Yes they are Haverlands. I've looked them up and they are thermostatic programmable, very efficient etc etc.

ALL electric heaters are 100% efficient so that is very misleading etc etc.

 

[Taylortwocities]

. I also thought you needed to avoid close proximity to other conductors as that might affect the magnetic field. .)

The single conductor that you measure is enclosed by the meter clamp jaws. So other influences are not a problemo.

 

[Callcom]

Thanks again for the suggestions, I'll have a look at the Flexiclamp.
Yes that's right about the 'efficiency' claims. I got the impression that Haverland were suggesting they could produce more heat per amp, but how you would measure that I'm not sure, without some sort of comparison. They certainly chuck out the heat and no-one's been cold, but as I say we'll see what the elec bill is like before celebrating.

 

[Callcom]

Can't find a Flexiclamp 200 anywhere, even Ebay. I guess one might come up sometime, in the meantime I'll go for the cheapo Amazon one - thanks Taylortwocities for the advice re ohter influences

 

[Pete999]

Can't find a Flexiclamp 200 anywhere, even Ebay. I guess one might come up sometime, in the meantime I'll go for the cheapo Amazon one - thanks Taylortwocities for the advice re ohter influences

Still got mine?

 

[davesparks]

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.

Which is a far more sensible suggestion than messing around trying to get a clamp meter into a consumer unit, or measure half the current at a socket!

 

[davesparks]

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.

There’s an obvious problem with this suggestion, and other methods of measurement are safer to carry out.

 

[HandySparks]

Still got mine?

How would we know?

 

[static zap]

While is still cold ,could become a human smart meter , taking two readings 6 hours apart , when you think its the coldest !
( dress appropriately - It's not one of those reality torture shows)
..we will not know the Volts for sure .....,
but have a 10% guess at amps average

 

[Taylortwocities]

Or just ask for a "smart" meter to be fitted

 

[static zap]

Or just ask for a "smart" meter to be fitted

What would you want to do that for..!
(Cook gas / heat gas + Electric shower )
My daily electricity use is 9.3 to 10.3 units a day ave .

 

[Taylortwocities]

What would you want to do that for..!

I wouldn't. I'm just trying to cause trouble.....