Worldwide ring mains

[KevinS]

Quick question here, does anyone know if any other countries use ring mains
reason I ask, I have made a proto-type socket where you can do your continuity checks and r1+r2 tests WITHOUT taking the socket off.
i don't know how much more money and time to spend on this idea

 

[electric will]

A few years ago I had the idea for a invention for car engines, when you first switched on a electric pump would prime the oil ways with oil as a oil brand was claiming most engine wear happens just after first start up while oil pressure is building up. At the time the engine was lasting longer than the body work on cars anyway.

 

[Guitarist]

Guitarist,
my initial thoughts were:-
the socket would be fitted during the initial wiring, after the job was complete you could take your readings, but the main reason was, any periodics that needed doing the circuit would not needed to be disconnected/taken apart
i was more thinking along the lines of student accommodation etc where a periodic would be done more often.
but what would the harm be fitting one to every circuit (ring)

I understand where you are coming from, but a large part of the EICR is the inspection part, including removing switches/sockets to see that there is no sign of heat damage, loose terminals etc. As already said, the sheer number of manufacturers with their various designs and colours would make any change a massive undertaking.
Please don't take my comments as being negative, just trying to get my head around the big picture.

 

[ExArmy]

i've got it, a double socket, 6 terminals on the back, and a fish key that disconnects the ring and puts each leg to the 2 outlets, and you can measure the end to ends from either 3 pin outlet. can't see it taking off

 

[KevinS]

Guitarist,
i didn't read your post as being negative at all, found ALL the posts helpful
i agree with you totally,
i also thought about your comments regarding design etc and the plan was to put it in an unobtrusive place, possibly with tamper screws

Looks like I will have to think of something else to get on dragons den

 

[sparks1973]

I understand where you are coming from, but a large part of the EICR is the inspection part, including removing switches/sockets to see that there is no sign of heat damage, loose terminals etc. As already said, the sheer number of manufacturers with their various designs and colours would make any change a massive undertaking.
Please don't take my comments as being negative, just trying to get my head around the big picture.

hmm....well, loose terminations would show up on your end to end resistances and R1 R2 etc....and as for heat damage....well again may show up on low ohm resistances and IR....but yes. its important to inspect BEFORE testing is carried out...

 

[KevinS]

A few years ago I had the idea for a invention for car engines, when you first switched on a electric pump would prime the oil ways with oil as a oil brand was claiming most engine wear happens just after first start up while oil pressure is building up. At the time the engine was lasting longer than the body work on cars anyway.

When I was very young I went to the joke shop and bought disappearing ink, which disappeared when it dried, my thoughts were "why not put this paint(my dad was painting a ceiling) and you would know where you had painted.
someone beat me to the idea, and probably made money out of MY idea :90:

 

[electric will]

Also, car head lamps with a photo cell in the that picked up lights from another car comming towards you and would auto dip. Trouble is I thought it'd react too late, however think Merc are doing it now

 

[alarm man]

if someone invents a woman who can cook,clean,look after kids and go out to work to earn,i'll buy one,they used to make them a while ago,but obsolete stock now..:sad:

ps.i want the doesnt answer back/moaning version..

 

[Brightspark2]

Good work on thinking up the idea...

I think you should carry on with it...dont be put off...they all said the mobile phone wouldn't work...

Like you say could be quite beneficial in student accommodation...

Sent from my Xperia S using next doors WIFI.

 

[Guitarist]

hmm....well, loose terminations would show up on your end to end resistances and R1 R2 etc....and as for heat damage....well again may show up on low ohm resistances and IR....but yes. its important to inspect BEFORE testing is carried out...

Not all terminations which could do with "tightening" are actually loose, and not all cables showing signs of heat damage will give you poor readings. Just my observations after 26 years in the profession...

 

[alarm man]

Not all terminations which could do with "tightening" are actually loose, and not all cables showing signs of heat damage will give you poor readings. Just my observations after 26 years in the profession...

agree,ive seen cables in terminals thats havent even been screwed down and sat there for years making contact.

 

[electric will]

Going back a few posts, does anyone else find when tightening the terminal screws down on Crabtree it try's to push the conductor out?

 

[ExArmy]

Going back a few posts, does anyone else find when tightening the terminal screws down on Crabtree it try's to push the conductor out?

yeah i've found this, you have to hold the conductors in untill they are nipped, then torque them up. happens with more than just crabtree, i've noticed some fronts have the screws angles inwards to stop this, but it just means it's harder to get your driver in when its tight (under cupboards etc)

 

[electric will]

Glad it's not just me, I know it's not a big problem but you do have to watch it, I think it's the rotating movement of the end of the screw which pushes the conductor out.

 

[somersetsparks]

Glad it's not just me, I know it's not a big problem but you do have to watch it, I think it's the rotating movement of the end of the screw which pushes the conductor out.

Crabtree sockets were good until 3 years ago when the live/neutral terminals were round and at the bottom(however these did have a funny angle on the head of the terminals leading to rounding off quite easily), then went to a really crap design with the square terminals all placed at different heights on the back which didn't last long as they were rubbish. Now they have the square terminals which are pretty shallow and push cables out.
After using all 3 I think the first type were the best. Note: they all look the same from the front and the rockers still go yellow fairly quickly!