Why aren't ring circuits banned?

[chronyx]

Doing a lot of EICRs in London at the moment and I'd say every other C.U. has a ring circuit with no continuity on one of the conductors.

Seeing as the IET see fit to tinker around the edges constantly with the regs, I struggle to understand why these potentially extremely dangerous circuits are still permitted. Yet bonding and earth conductors have almost doubled in size because, well, they said so.

It's not 1949 anymore. Ban the damn things.

 

[Andy78]

With all 3 doubles on it?

Yes, why not ?

 

[Pat H]

Yes at 2.5mm T&E I'd be limited to 20A but will have a 16A breaker anyway.
I would save 6m of 2.5...
Not sure what's happening yet with under floor insulation but I don't think that will have much impact.

 

[DPG]

A radial for each socket in a summerhouse? Am I missing something here?? Daz

 

[Andy78]

Why a 16A mcb ?

 

[Hellmooth]

Run a 2.5mm for the 3 sockets and stick it in a 20a, or 4mm on a 32a as long as it isn't covered in insulation not going to be a problem.

 

[Pat H]

I have a hot tub coming off the CU in the summer house and need some capacity later for the heatpump.
Don't need more than 16A don't even need that. I'd rather the local 16A breaker tripped should some idiot add 6 electric fire in the future.

 

[westward10]

They are sockets has to be a ring final even if it is just one socket.

 

[Midwest]

RFC were supposedly designed just after or during WWII, because of copper shortage, although other reports/pieces dispute this. But I suppose a RFC at it's maximum design length, achieving an acceptable Zs result. Whereas a 4mm radial, with similar acceptable Zs result, would possibly have to be made from two radials, therefore costing more in materials?

 

[valleybilly]

Is is not ideal to have immersions on a ring final but they are nearly always on the lightly loaded bedroom circuit. Can only assume the 20A was put on because it wasn't switched through a FCU?

\
It was a spur off the ring with no fcu . 16 amp rcbo sorry . It did feed an fcu to some external lights / now disconnected due to faied insulation when connected. Give this man a free xmas tree !

 

[westward10]

Why not put a FCU on the immersion so you can upgrade to 32A.

 

[sam400]

Absolutely hate them! Can't see a place for them in a domestic situation.
Have spent 6 hours this week repairing one. ( boiler mounted over socket with broken
CPC + multiple non-compliant spurs)
I ve got another 3 to repair on other jobs - can't wait!

 

[valleybilly]

Why not put a FCU on the immersion so you can upgrade to 32A.

They are going to have a combi fitted so spur being removed. Also populated cu so can split this ring to feed 2 x bed sockets only and use the return to go on an 6 amp rcbo and put the outside light on there own curcuit . PS my name is Kevin and im a kitchen fitter .

Only went to fit the Kitchen n got this = pic

all the house was on on 1 general Failed tested rcd and when she put the electric heaters on as the rads where off (boiler change) the house shut down . The light ins tests are.85

Any one near Prestwich Manc want this one ? LOL

 

[kingeri]

Absolutely hate them! Can't see a place for them in a domestic situation.
Have spent 6 hours this week repairing one. ( boiler mounted over socket with broken
CPC + multiple non-compliant spurs)
I ve got another 3 to repair on other jobs - can't wait!

So you hate them because somebody poorly installed one?

 

[sam400]

So you hate them because somebody poorly installed one?

Yea that's right

 

[kingeri]

Yeah I hate lighting circuits cos I found a metal switch that wasn't earthed.

 

[sam400]

Yeah I hate lighting circuits cos I found a metal switch that wasn't earthed.

Ban them!

 

[7029 dave]

I for one do not understand this thread, RFC are the recognised circuit,been going for decades.Is the dislike just pure laziness.?Is the today Electrician unable to fault such a circuit or even able to install it.? This is annoying me big time."!!

 

[chronyx]

I for one do not understand this thread, RFC are the recognised circuit,been going for decades.Is the dislike just pure laziness.?Is the today Electrician unable to fault such a circuit or even able to install it.? This is annoying me big time."!!

The today electriciam are able to fault find it. I was is fault finding when I done found the fault what made me post this.

 

[7029 dave]

The today electriciam are able to fault find it. I was is fault finding when I done found the fault what made me post this.

I read your OP, they weren't even about in 1949, it was all radials 15amp at that, with electric trees growing out of them. Do you know what I am saying.?

 

[chronyx]

I read your OP, they weren't even about in 1949, it was all radials 15amp at that, with electric trees growing out of them. Do you know what I am saying.?

Give or take a decade or two

 

[7029 dave]

Give or take a decade or two

I have just googled it, and they do say it came out after the war, Rubbish all the rewires I have done in that era, it is all radials, the RFC took off big time in the early 60's.

 

[7029 dave]

Just to add, PVC was not in till the late 50's, I for one have never seen RFC wired in VIR rubber never.! But if so I stand corrected.

 

[chronyx]

Now you mention it I think you're right, not that I've seen much VIR

Slight side track, who knows the cause of 'weeping' older cables and green copper? I had it at the back of my mind it was a bad type of plasticiser that was used but I'm not certain.

 

[7029 dave]

Now you mention it I think you're right, not that I've seen much VIR

Slight side track, who knows the cause of 'weeping' older cables and green copper? I had it at the back of my mind it was a bad type of plasticiser that was used but I'm not certain.

Yes you are correct, with the early pvc cable, nothing wrong with it other than quite messy, just wipe it off. green gooey mess.

 

[7029 dave]