Radials V Ring mains

[Sparky10]

Hi all,

This may be a common topic and may already have been spoken about 100s of times so forgive me in advance.

I have always wired in ring mains for my sockets up until recently..

I came across an install where all sockets were wired in 2.5 radials protected by 20A RCBO they had wired 3 bedrooms all on separate 2.5 radials (Loft & 1st floor)
i did question why each room was separate and the response i got was "customers request due to computers"

I am hearing more and more people wiring 4mm radials protected by 32A as its "convenient"

whats peoples general thoughts on this?

 

[buzzlightyear]

I am hearing more and more people wiring 4mm radials protected by 32A as its "convenient"

I can understand if a couple of sockets covered by a 20amp, but a full floor would be a ring .
but it down to the installer what he thinks at the time .

 

[Sparky10]

Each room is on a separate radial with around 4 sockets in - very weird arrangement i know

 

[Spoon]

Hi all,

This may be a common topic and may already have been spoken about 100s of times so forgive me in advance.

I have always wired in ring mains for my sockets up until recently..

I came across an install where all sockets were wired in 2.5 radials protected by 20A RCBO they had wired 3 bedrooms all on separate 2.5 radials (Loft & 1st floor)
i did question why each room was separate and the response i got was "customers request due to computers"

I am hearing more and more people wiring 4mm radials protected by 32A as its "convenient"

whats peoples general thoughts on this?

Great idea.
20A is plenty for a bedroom and when the kids don't get off the consoles you can switch off the mains to their bedroom.

 

[Sparky10]

Haha! i never looked at it that way - No more fortnight for my son if i had this wiring arrangement

 

[Silly Sausage]

More circuits, more cash ... Kerching!

 

[Wilko]

I would struggle to guarantee 4mm radial was ok for 32A MCB, just saying.

 

[Sparky10]

I would struggle to guarantee 4mm radial was ok for 32A MCB, just saying.

would also struggle getting them into back of sockets too

 

[mhar]

I would struggle to guarantee 4mm radial was ok for 32A MCB, just saying.

I wouldn't do it either, now on a 25A is something I regularly do

 

[Strima]

Each type of circuit has its merits, whatever suits the need of the installation and the client.

 

[Pete999]

would also struggle getting them into back of sockets too

Had no trouble so far.

 

[Sparky10]

Had no trouble so far.

never dealt with it just making silly assumptions... guess im wrong

 

[Sparky10]

Had no trouble so far.

Take it you do 4mm Radials?

 

[Pete999]

Take it you do 4mm Radials?

Not any more Sparky 10, as I have been retired for a few years, but to answer your question, yes I did, but always in conjunction with the restraints and the advice in Appendix 15 BS7671, floor area etc.
I also ran 6mm radials whilst working in Canada @110Volts using MK 110V socket outlets, had nil trouble with connecting them up either. Just saying.

 

[Pete999]

Not any more Sparky 10, as I have been retired for a few years, but to answer your question, yes I did, but always in conjunction with the restraints and the advice in Appendix 15 BS7671, floor area etc.
I also ran 6mm radials whilst working in Canada @110Volts using MK 110V socket outlets, had nil trouble with connecting them up either. Just saying.

Just to be a Pedant they are not Ring Mains any more they are Ring Final Circuits or RFCs