Testing ring circuit?

[Zebra Stripe]

Hey Flanders, you may want to take a look at the definition of 'circuit'. By this BS7671 definition then if two separate circuits with their own ocpd are disconnect from said ocpds and then connected to one ocpd, they become one circuit. Code 3 for what? Are you going to code junctions on a circuit?

 

[Flanders]

Hey Flanders, you may want to take a look at the definition of 'circuit'. By this BS7671 definition then if two separate circuits with their own ocpd are disconnect from said ocpds and then connected to one ocpd, they become one circuit. Code 3 for what? Are you going to code junctions on a circuit?

Yes I would agree with you have that's why I said you would have to be really fussy to give it a code 3 I was mainly looking at Reg 314.4 in this case I was interpreting that each radial is a final circuit

 

[sparks1234]

Yes I would agree with you have that's why I said you would have to be really fussy to give it a code 3 I was mainly looking at Reg 314.4 in this case I was interpreting that each radial is a final circuit

If you have more than one circuit breaker with 2-5 in it, turn all circuits off except the one you are interested in and then see if the outgoing side of the off breakers are still live just to prove you have the correct ends.
If it is OK, disconnect one leg of the "ring" and see what sockets are live, if you are fairly evenly balanced you could move one onto another new breaker but check you have no live ends anywhere, thats assuming you have the space for it in your consumer unit of course

 

[Zebra Stripe]

Yes I would agree with you have that's why I said you would have to be really fussy to give it a code 3 I was mainly looking at Reg 314.4 in this case I was interpreting that each radial is a final circuit

Hey a radial is a radial and a circuit is a circuit. So no matter how fussy or fuzzy or even fizzy you are you just cant code it. Infact imo it is a wonderful way to junction a circuit with so many plus points I think I may ask santa for one… oh dear its too late.

 

[Engineer54]

Did you do any testing prior to ripping out the old CU maybe this is a good learning experience !

Now there's a silly question if ever i've heard one!! lol!!

 

[Eddiesparks]

Did you do any testing prior to ripping out the old CU maybe this is a good learning experience !

Amen. You're lucky there wasnt a neutral- earth short too. That's the classic one on an old install. Always ask customer, then switch off main sw and megger the earth to neutral bars at 250V to see if rcd will hold.

We've all made mistakes like this though when young or inexperienced, god knows i did and sometimes still do!! the important thing is you learn from them. Like someone else said the easiest way to check for broken ring is connect one L and N and see what's 'live' or if N,L and CPC are broken separately then dead continuity tests with wander lead is good.

Hope you got it sorted.

And just one more thing - BS7671 is non-statutory so NOT law. Just guidance , technically.

 

[guest119]

And just one more thing - BS7671 is non-statutory so NOT law. Just guidance , technically.

Yes Eddie it is not law, but it is.
The EAWR is law and compliance with bs7671 will provide compliance with the EAWR.

I for one wouldnt like to stand in court and say as my defence that the bs document I ignored wasnt adopted yet.

Boydy

 

[Eddiesparks]

Ah mate of course! That's why I said 'technically' not law. But you're spot on, also if you sign a cert that says 'this install/ minor work adheres to BS7671' then you havent got a leg to stand on if the place goes up in flames/someone gets fried and it was due to your non compliance. That's why us sparks charge top dollar! Cos it's our bum that's on the line!

 

[Engineer54]

That's why us sparks charge top dollar! Cos it's our bum that's on the line!

Yep that £9 an hour is really ''Top Dollar'' and pays handsomely for covering your arse!!

 

[Eddiesparks]

Haha i wouldnt work for that!!

 

[telectrix]

was offered a job for just that amount last month. test/inspection. told them it was an insult. the interviewer said i was being rude. RUDE, i said. you've dragged me 15 miles for an interview to offer me £9/hour. who's being rude?

 

[Eddiesparks]

Self-employed is the only way to make any real money sparking. Or a firm who'll pay at least £150 a day. Less than that and i cant pay the bills, I got 2 kids, one of them brand new!!