The Ring is dead, long live the Radial!⚡

[Strima]

Either depending upon the type of property and intended use of the circuit.

 

[Midwest]

Click aren't thinking of manufacturing AFDD's

 

[littlespark]

Number of sockets to install is also a factor. 1 point on a ring is a bit pointless....

“Ironic” emoji

 

[sinewove]

Number of sockets to install is also a factor. 1 point on a ring is a bit pointless....

“Ironic” emoji

Could,nt you have a problem with grouping if many 2.5mm t and e leaving the cu if all radials?
S

 

[pc1966]

Number of sockets to install is also a factor. 1 point on a ring is a bit pointless....

Well if you are talking BIG sockets and have to double up conductors for current carrying capacity...

But exactly the point. For a couple of sockets radial is the best plan, for a whole floor's worth (or high-ish power density like a kitchen, or high protective conductor currents like computer room) then the ring rules them all.

What is the big deal? Click-bait? Oh yes, it worked...

 

[FatAlan]

Where is option 3 - Lollypop?

What about option 4 - Hedgehog. RFC with loads of spurs?

 

[GBDamo]

What about option 4 - Hedgehog. RFC with loads of spurs?

A coronavirus, a 6mm ring with lots of 6mm radials with 2.5 rings on the end.

Completely noncompliant, unnecessary and impractical but it would look lovely on a drawing.

 

[ferg]

Both have their uses and like most I use whatever is best at the time.

 

[Dustydazzler]

If it’s just one or two sockets required it’s a simple 20a radial feeder

if it’s More than 2 than it’s a ring for me

 

[telectrix]

surprised that nobody has commented that rings are for cooking on. ( chip pan/frying pan/saucepan). .

 

[Pete999]

What about option 4 - Hedgehog. RFC with loads of spurs?

That's just an RFC with multiple spurs, mothing odd about that method

 

[FatAlan]

That's just an RFC with multiple spurs, mothing odd about that method

I know Pete Can we call you Pete999 aka Lord of the Rings?

 

[7029 dave]

I have had a terrible day, and this post has just topped it, what a stupid thread, going back on the red wine.
You got a disagree from me big time

 

[nicebutdim]

This thread went well.

 

[Pete999]

I know Pete Can we call you Pete999 aka Lord of the Rings?

If you must

 

[DPG]

If it was intended as a straightforward question about rings and radials then the title was not very well thought out!

 

[radiohead]

As has already been stated an 'either or' question is far too simplistic, both rings and radials have their uses.
I think it is worth summarising what I see as some disadvantages of both circuits.

Existing rings...(on EICR's for example) are an absolute pain to verify. Unknown layouts and non-textbook readings mean verifying the possible presence of spurs from spurs, interconnections etc is time consuming and involves much dismantling. Most of us use plug in testing adaptors which often produce odd readings due to contact or switch resistance on ancient outlets, the only certain way is to drop the points and use probes straight onto terminations, disruptive, time consuming and damaging to surface finish. Real time constraints when carrying out EICR's at acceptable cost mean ring circuits are often not properly verified and the inspector has to make judgement calls on whether the circuit is correctly wired. That said I love testing my own rings and calculating whether measured readings are spot on!
As far as radials go there was a long thread on here a while back where an OP stated rings should be outlawed because they are often abused by Kev the kitchen fitter and DIY Dave, his point was radials are much safer.
But unskilled persons being unable to correctly alter a ring is not a reason for banning it, ban Kev and Dave...not the ring!!
That point of view also ignores the potential danger of a radial. One bad or broken connection of the cpc may result in every downstream point working and apparently ok but not having an earth.
I think the safest circuit of all is a radial serving one point from a 16 or 20a OCPD, but the practicalities of that with the number of points modern properties require make it a non starter, not only for the capacity of DB required, but for the sheer quantity of wiring involved.
It is though an interesting phenomenon that many people are completely incapable of altering a ring, and finishing up still with a ring, and not just Kev and Dave. A ring is one of the simplest of all circuits, just a loop of cable which starts and finishes at the same point, and yet it continually seems to generate utter incompetence.

 

[Dustydazzler]

People think rings are bad , I recently watched a video of a guy wiring his house in America and he put lights and sockets on the same circuit using the same sized cable and kept calling it ‘roughing’ in his wiring...

it was blooming rough and at every point he stripped the cores back & twisted the bare copper earths together and shoved them in the back of each box so he had just the L & N to connect later

 

[telectrix]

People think rings are bad , I recently watched a video of a guy wiring his house in America and he put lights and sockets on the same circuit using the same sized cable and kept calling it ‘roughing’ in his wiring...

it was blooming rough and at every point he stripped the cores back & twisted the bare copper earths together and shoved them in the back of each box so he had just the L & N to connect later

and no doubt a proliferation of fire nuts. on another forum, predominantly American, several members praise their silly wire nuts and condemn wagos.

 

[KennyKen]

People think rings are bad , I recently watched a video of a guy wiring his house in America and he put lights and sockets on the same circuit using the same sized cable and kept calling it ‘roughing’ in his wiring...

it was blooming rough and at every point he stripped the cores back & twisted the bare copper earths together and shoved them in the back of each box so he had just the L & N to connect later

Yeah, I was watching the ideal international sparky championship. Aussie, Canadian, American and a Chinese fella in the final. Someone in the comments section asked where the British entry was. The comments were “Anyone who uses Rings, are not invited” and the like. These foreign morons have no idea of the concept. They probably would have trouble wiring one.