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UK diy (uk.d-i-y) For the discussion of all topics related to diy (do-it-yourself) in the UK. All levels of experience and proficency are welcome to join in to ask questions or offer solutions. |
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Ring mains and consumer unit
Hi All,
In my house there is a consumer unit with RCD. It has 5 circuits on it (1 cooker, 2 ring mains, 2 lighting). Taking off the fronts of sockets these appear to be correctly connected on a ring main. However, I can only see 5 wires going into the consumer unit - I would have thought there'd be 9, assuming that both sockets and lighting were on ring mains? Am I being an idiot? Why would anyone bother wiring up sockets on a ring main and then not complete the ring back at the consumer unit? Or is it possible for example for only the 'live' ends of the ring to go to the consumer unit, with the other 'earth' end of the ring being connected to the main supply (where I can't see it)? Thanks for any ideas. Dave |
#2
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Ring mains and consumer unit
However, I can only see 5 wires going into the consumer unit - I would
have thought there'd be 9, assuming that both sockets and lighting were on ring mains? Firstly, lighting circuits are almost never run in rings, but in radials. Radial circuits are ones that run in a tree like fashion, branching wherever is convenient. (They don't have to branch, if they don't want to). Socket circuits can be run in rings OR radials. However, standard 2.5mm cable is not suitable for running a 32A socket circuit in a radial. Thicker cable must be used (usually 4mm or 6mm, depending on details) or the circuit derated to 20A. I suspect that either your house is wired using radial circuits, or that extra cables enter the consumer unit concealed from behind. Taking off the fronts of sockets these appear to be correctly connected on a ring main. It is not possible to determine if a radial or ring circuit is in use simply by examining the connections at the sockets. Or is it possible for example for only the 'live' ends of the ring to go to the consumer unit, with the other 'earth' end of the ring being connected to the main supply (where I can't see it)? This doesn't make sense at all. I do hope you aren't planning to do any wiring. Christian. |
#3
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Ring mains and consumer unit
David wrote:
Hi All, In my house there is a consumer unit with RCD. It has 5 circuits on it (1 cooker, 2 ring mains, 2 lighting). Taking off the fronts of sockets these appear to be correctly connected on a ring main. However, I can only see 5 wires going into the consumer unit - I would have thought there'd be 9, assuming that both sockets and lighting were on ring mains? Am I being an idiot? Why would anyone bother wiring up sockets on a ring main and then not complete the ring back at the consumer unit? Or is it possible for example for only the 'live' ends of the ring to go to the consumer unit, with the other 'earth' end of the ring being connected to the main supply (where I can't see it)? If it really is a ring circuit then both ends must come back to the same 32 amp MCB in the CU. Possibility 1 Are you sure the socket circuits are supposed to be ring mains? It's not mandatory you know and there are perfectly acceptable alternatives. Are the MCBs on the socket circuits 32 amp? Possibility 2 Are you sure you can see all the wires coming out of the CU? There may be some going straight back into the wall it's mounted on. Have you taken the cover off the CU to see how many wires go into each MCB? Possibility 3 It really has been mis-wired. -- Chris Green |
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