Ring main

[eckersecker]

Testing a consumer unit with horizontal trunking above it. On investigation trunking has been used to extend the cables into CU. The cables are block connected in the trunking to extend them.
Testing the ring continuity, r1, end to end I discover a dead short. 2 legs leave CU to be joined in the same block connector to the 2 legs leaving the trunking for the sockets.

Testing r1 at a socket it's obviously Ok. The ring is complete it just does not start in the CU. Is this Ok?

 

[DPG]

Is this one of the 'lollipop' rings? aDaz

 

[eckersecker]

Is that a technical term?

 

[Thefailsafe2012]

Heard it thrown about before, but it makes sense, have seen it done with a 6mm feeding a ring circuit. What size cables leave the CU to join the ring conductors?

 

[DPG]

It is indeed. Well, based on what the ring actually looks like. Daz

 

[fog]

For it to be a correct ring main it must start and end in the consumer unit,
personnally i use push in connectors to extend wiring in consumer unit if needed, smaller than connection blocks/or choc block, try looking at the link to line junction boxes they have the cheapest push in connectors, also senate do them "Ideal" have now released some lovely little orange ones brill in board as take up no room cable in each end, take up to 2.5mm so most wiring.
Anyway ring must start and end at board otherwise the first bit is a radial circuit and could overload

 

[DPG]

For it to be a correct ring main it must start and end in the consumer unit,
personnally i use push in connectors to extend wiring in consumer unit if needed, smaller than connection blocks/or choc block, try looking at the link to line junction boxes they have the cheapest push in connectors, also senate do them "Ideal" have now released some lovely little orange ones brill in board as take up no room cable in each end, take up to 2.5mm so most wiring.
Anyway ring must start and end at board otherwise the first bit is a radial circuit and could overload

Is a lollipop ring not allowed? Even if the lead-in part is (for example) 6mm? Daz

 

[eckersecker]

The first bit can't overload anymore than a ring could. It's 2 wires (2.5) just the same as a ring.

 

[Thefailsafe2012]

Surely not if appropriate sized conductors are used, it sounds like when the CU was changed they didn't extend the individual conductors and just connected them together, op did you try getting your readings from after the connector block?

 

[telectrix]

also senate do them "Ideal" have now released some lovely little orange ones brill in board as take up no room cable in each end, take up to 2.5mm so most wiring.


"line" do them as well, yellow. cable in each end. just a little bit bulkier than a through crimp. lubbly jubbly.

​

 

[eckersecker]

Yes ring was ok, I broke into it at a socket.

 

[Thefailsafe2012]

I meant directly after the connector block, disconnect from there and took the end to ends. Sounds like what I mentioned earlier mate but could be wrong, the individual conductors should have been extended back into the CU to maintain a complete ring. But tbh if it's a 2 x 2.5mm radial for a really short run above the CU it's probably not that big a deal, as they can carry enough amps and like the others have said, giving a lollipop ring

 

[GLENNSPARK]

Is that a technical term?

he`s on about `hybrid` circuits....and theres nowt wrong with them either.....

 

[HandySparks]

"line" do them as well, yellow. cable in each end. just a little bit bulkier than a through crimp. lubbly jubbly.

Are they on their website yet, tel? I couldn't find them.

 

[Skimpy Wan]

Can you not just pull a new leg in from the first socket of the ring and then take it to the CU?