why not make all circuits radial?

[Engineer54]

As an niceic inspector said to me a few years ago "most sparks are wiring in 4mm twin radials",not really something that i was planning on changing over too.

Especially if you want to branch out from one of those sockets to feed a couple more sockets. Most modern single/double socket outlets don't like 3 X 4mm cables up em!! lol!!

 

[Silly Sausage]

There are pros and coins but when the 18th comes out it will allow for the ring but advise new to be radial why ? To line us up with Europe but it will be like the official voltage is 230v but we all know its 240+

I might be wrong here, but if we line up with the Frogs, there'll be no more T&E!

 

[ackbarthestar]

I might be happy running a rfc in a kitchen / utility area but its a complete waste running a rfc up a couple of floors to feed a couple of bedroom skts.

Far better to apply the appropriate design for the loading expected.

 

[Engineer54]

Why in the UK are we so fixated with ring circuits. I know decades ago it was decided to use the ring system as it was deemed to be cheaper but surely that can't be the case now.

How about a more relevant question. Why in the UK, do we allow under qualified, ill trained, inexperienced people into peoples homes to carry out electrical work that they don't fully understand??

 

[Des 56]

This is turning into another well discussed thread

No problem with that,but it would be nice if the op was to give an opinion as to why he asked, and then come back what is his opinion on the merits of both some time soon

 

[Engineer54]

I might be wrong here, but if we line up with the Frogs, there'll be no more T&E!

And very likely a new outlet/plug top design to go with it!! Which will also mean no more 32A 4mm radials, or spurring off the wall socket accessory plate (3 X 2.5mm) as socket outlets designed for radial circuits, like the French and German schuko type outlets as well as all the others are designed to terminate a maximum of 2 X 2.5mm conductors.

So ''THINK'' before you go start wiishing for too much change!! lol!!:49:

 

[Guitarist]

My only wish is that we go back to stranded T&E instead of this crappy solid core!

 

[oldtimer]

How about a more relevant question. Why in the UK, do we allow under qualified, ill trained, inexperienced people into peoples homes to carry out electrical work that they don't fully understand??

But they do its call Part P or up here its Yarrick & Darrick

 

[i=p/u]

Do you think foreign get much electrical work oldtimer tho... I'd say no from British cash paying citizen

 

[Dipzy]

well some customers are only interested in a cheap job and don't really care where the money goes.

 

[Tiny Spark]

Because in some areas for instance the Kitchen a radial just cant take the current it would need to.
Simple as that really.

 

[44ALLAN]

Because in some areas for instance the Kitchen a radial just cant take the current it would need to.
Simple as that really.

Why would that be?

 

[Tiny Spark]

Depends on what you have plugged in obviously.
But if you have dish washer, tumble dryer, washing machine, oven, etc etc etc plugged in then it soon adds up.
Granted the chances of someone running everything at once is slim but people do.

A few months back the fire alarm went into pre alarm at work, I rushed to the source of the problem and found a chap in a small office alone with 2x 3KW heaters plugged into a extension lead that was coiled up and on the verge of turning into a molten puddle of smoking muck on the floor.
The worrying thing was he hadnt noticed and was completely amazed that I told him he was a plonker for doing it, not noticing the smell or the smoke!

 

[44ALLAN]

Depends on what you have plugged in obviously.
But if you have dish washer, tumble dryer, washing machine, oven, etc etc etc plugged in then it soon adds up.
Granted the chances of someone running everything at once is slim but people do.

Does it matter what they have plugged in if the correct rating mcb/ocpd is installed?
If they ask you to install a 20 radial for their computer or washing machine that's what you do............plug top fuses protect the cable and appliances hopefully have their own protection............can't see the problem?

Plugging all that in at once into an extension cable will trip the circuit breaker...................unless they have tampered with it so that is not your problem?

 

[Tiny Spark]

Because you dont want it to trip do you?
Just imagine Ms Jones trying to cook her family christmas dinner with the kettle on and god knows what else.
Sure the appliances are fine but if you have a 20A radial and you exceed that and trip the breaker she aint going to be happy.

My point about the extension lead was not about the safety (although that does come into it obviously) But more about the fact general public do not understand loading.

How many times have you been called to look at a breaker that keeps tripping only to find they have plugged everything into 1 extension lead thats fed from another and another?

I have no issues with radials, They are fine but anywhere I would expect a heavy usage I would always opt for a ring.
They also make it easier to make additions to if needed.