ring continuity

[foghorn]

having added a couple of sockets to a ring final circuit when doing end to end tests i have no cpc end to end any advice i have checked my new works and all cpc connections are good could well have already been existing fault any advice welcomed

 

[Octopus]

I'ts normally helpful to confirm continuity before making such a change

 

[Trevor R]

Clearly broken somewhere - put a wander lead on from the CU and then go to each socket in turn

 

[foghorn]

that is true always best not to asume lesson learnt L and N both reading 0.48 getting r1+r2 aswell but no cpc end to end would have expected a difference in r1~+r2

 

[ezzzekiel]

Separate legs at consumer unit join l/CPC of one leg together and go round each socket checking for continuity when you lose it your either at break or just passed it

 

[foghorn]

that is the next plan however were does that leave me if customer not willing to pay for extra work having exstended ring main

 

[ezzzekiel]

Between a rock and a hard place unfortunately, although the broken CPC isn't the worst thing that it could of been it will still need correcting


You need the habit of pre testing or pre warning customer of possible additional works

 

[foghorn]

yes i agree this does need correcting have done loop test on all sockets on the ring and all readings well within would have expected unuasual readings due to broken cpc but to no evail

 

[ezzzekiel]

Use one of the methods above or nip round whip off sockets and hopefully it's just popped out of back.

 

[pencilpusher]

Separate legs at consumer unit join l/CPC of one leg together and go round each socket checking for continuity when you lose it your either at break or just passed it

TBH unless you have a very understanding customer, you may have to take this on the chin and learn from it. The customer will no doubt think you are trying to get them to pay for something they should not pay for. "It was fine before you came" they will say even if it wasn't!

 

[foghorn]

very true lol :38:

 

[morph]

that is the next plan however were does that leave me if customer not willing to pay for extra work having exstended ring main

thats your problem :25:
lesson learnt the hard way
:86:

 

[foghorn]

thanks ezzekiel for the info will do have checked sockets accesabile they seem ok as twinned togeather gonna use method sugested thx

 

[telectrix]

check at sockets to see if some muppet has twisted the cpc's in 1 piece of sleeving. 1 may have snapped where it exits the sheathing.

 

[Singer]

Foghorn,
You don't say what it's wired in or how many sockets but you could always consider reducing the size of the protective device.

 

[Guitarist]

Foghorn,
You don't say what it's wired in or how many sockets but you could always consider reducing the size of the protective device.

Forgive me if I've missed something here, but how will reducing the protective device help locate a cpc break?

 

[GLENNSPARK]

I'ts normally helpful to confirm continuity before making such a change

IR test n all...make sure its good for continued service.....

 

[Singer]

Forgive me if I've missed something here, but how will reducing the protective device help locate a cpc break?

It wont but if for example it's wired in 2.5/1.5, if the mcb is reduced from 32A to 20A continuity on the cpc is then not necessary as its a radial circuit.

 

[telectrix]

how can it be a radial circuit when the L and N are still an intact ring?

 

[Guitarist]

It could be a new "Hybrid" circuit, half ring, half radial. I can see the advert now...."Fault-finding getting you down?....Go Hybrid."

 

[telectrix]

like the toyota pricus?

 

[Richard Burns]

It is a radial circuit wired with two conductors in parallel and not following the same route!

 

[pencilpusher]

It wont but if for example it's wired in 2.5/1.5, if the mcb is reduced from 32A to 20A continuity on the cpc is then not necessary as its a radial circuit.

Hmm, how about finding the original problem and sorting it?

 

[telectrix]

parallel conductors not following the same route contravenes a reg. forgot which one. it's a bit like buses. they follow different routes, but they don't have conductors any more.

 

[Singer]

Hmm, how about finding the original problem and sorting it?

Yes that would be the ideal way forward. I was simply offering an alternative. Provided both legs are connected to the same circuit breaker, then the circuit as a whole is protected by a 20 amp device and so the continuity around the ring is not necessary so any break in no matter which conductor doesn't matter. You can call it whatever you like.