Radials V Ring mains

[Lucien Nunes]

if we have a standard lamp where the flex could be damaged, then that flex must be able to take the rating of the plug, so even a 60W lamp needs a 1.5 mm sq flex,

It's a fixed load so it only needs to be large enough to meet the adiabatic requirements to clear a short-circuit. 0.75mm² is sufficient for 16A OCPD, hence this is the standard minimum cable size for portable appliances in Europe.

I so often find them working but dangerous.

Dangerous, or non-compliant? I have in the past offered a reward for anyone who can provide evidence that a broken 32A RFC has caused actual danger or measurable deterioration specifically due to overloading of cables after losing continuity. Still waiting...

 

[westward10]

Considering a single 2.5 conductor has a larger csa than that of a 30A semi-enclosed fuse element it is going to require some adverse installation method and considerable loading before deterioration occurs.

 

[Simon47]

I have in the past offered a reward for anyone who can provide evidence that a broken 32A RFC has caused actual danger or measurable deterioration specifically due to overloading of cables after losing continuity. Still waiting..

When I was redoing our server room at last job, I stripped out redundant cabling. Before I started, I'd measured the load in what I assumed to be an RFC - about 30A, steady, 24 hours a day. It was only when I got to disconnecting stuff that I found it was two radials off one B32. One fed the alarm so little load. The other had started as a radial with two FCUs, but had been extended by a professional and supposedly qualified electrician with another two FCUs. So 30A through a single 2.5 t&e in mini trunking.
Yes, it ran noticably warm to the touch, but the cable didn't seem any worse for it.

 

[Grant1987]

When I was redoing our server room at last job, I stripped out redundant cabling. Before I started, I'd measured the load in what I assumed to be an RFC - about 30A, steady, 24 hours a day. It was only when I got to disconnecting stuff that I found it was two radials off one B32. One fed the alarm so little load. The other had started as a radial with two FCUs, but had been extended by a professional and supposedly qualified electrician with another two FCUs. So 30A through a single 2.5 t&e in mini trunking.
Yes, it ran noticably warm to the touch, but the cable didn't seem any worse for it.

I’ve come across a number of properties with the same problem appears as though they are on RFC when I’m actual fact they are just 2 radials done my head in when I was doing continuity at board and then hunting down the apparent break in ring to find there was no break in ring but 2 radials. No issue with wiring though no scorch marks or anything but non compliant and solved by converting into 2 x radials.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Welcome to the forum mate.
So in a typical 3 bedroom house in France, how many circuits are you looking at if it's all radial?

Your location says 'Surrey' but your flag is France. That's why I put France in my post.

Typical rural French three phase three bedroom house consumer unit.

 

[Pete999]

Are there 110v supplies for special purposes? Would be pretty pointless in a country that has a public supply or 120v.

Oh yes there certainly are matey

 

[Mike Johnson]

Pic no longer available on post 80, so I have re-posted it here to avoid any confusion or disappointment. ?

 

[DPG]

You do like that photo Mike

 

[Mike Johnson]

I certainly do I think it's wonderful and does show that in France multiple RCD's and RCBO's are the norm as is domestic three phase.

It's also gratifying to know that you follow my posts so closely. ?

 

[garyt]

Radials are getting more popular now, especially in flats etc, you all probably no this already, as long as the 2.5mm radial servs no more than 50 Mt's2 protected by 20amp, no problems easy for testing.

 

[Zerax]

You do like that photo Mike

I bet it would look amazing at 1080p !

 

[Mike Johnson]

Ok you have got me, I have no idea what that is supposed to mean?

 

[DPG]

I'd like to see it in a nice frame I think.

 

[Mike Johnson]

Why frame it, it's just wires and stuff.

 

[DPG]

Why frame it, it's just wires and stuff.

Sorry Mike, just a bit of sarcasm.