Have the rules for ring mains changed over the years?

[7029 dave]

I still like the flexibility of a RFC, as for fault finding them if you know what you are doing it is quite simple.
I have traced a faulty section down between two socket outlets in less than 2hrs, thats from coming through the front door and leaving, temp repair made dropped the mcd down to 20A because had to break the ring convert to radials temporary. Went back when could take the floor boards up in the area of the damaged section JB full of water.

 

[mainline]

It's not simple when you have a 3-story house with one ring and hidden JBs under floors with numerous spurs and cross connections etc.

 

[7029 dave]

It's not simple when you have a 3-story house with one ring and hidden JBs under floors with numerous spurs and cross connections etc.

Well that would get rewired into separate RFC circuits for starters

 

[littlespark]

It's not simple when you have a 3-story house with one ring and hidden JBs under floors with numerous spurs and cross connections etc.

Could be same with a radial and multiple branches. Still have to find the fault and disconnect.
But with an rfc, you might not lose the function of the majority of the circuit until repaired.

I must admit, when I trained ‘86 to ‘90 the journeymen I was with were really old school.
Sockets were always on a ring, unless it was only one on the circuit.
Radials were limited to individual points, such as. Cooker, shower, immersion, heaters, etc
It was very rare to find more than one point on a radial circuit

 

[7029 dave]

Could be same with a radial and multiple branches. Still have to find the fault and disconnect.
But with an rfc, you might not lose the function of the majority of the circuit until repaired.

I must admit, when I trained ‘86 to ‘90 the journeymen I was with were really old school.
Sockets were always on a ring, unless it was only one on the circuit.
Radials were limited to individual points, such as. Cooker, shower, immersion, heaters, etc
It was very rare to find more than one point on a radial circuit

When at college 1980 ish 14 ed/ 15 ed not that the regs stated it I think, but the electrical craft principles book we studied from actually stated max numbers of sockets put on radials. Well it certainly weren't unlimited remember that much.

 

[Dustydazzler]

When at college 1980 ish 14 ed/ 15 ed not that the regs stated it I think, but the electrical craft principles book we studied from actually stated max numbers of sockets put on radials. Well it certainly weren't unlimited remember that much.

Have no idea how true but the old boys on-site were adamant you should only put 4 sockets max on a 20a radial

 

[mainline]

When at college 1980 ish 14 ed/ 15 ed not that the regs stated it I think, but the electrical craft principles book we studied from actually stated max numbers of sockets put on radials. Well it certainly weren't unlimited remember that much.

2.5mm, 20 amp protective device, 50 square metres.

 

[7029 dave]

Have no idea how true but the old boys on-site were adamant you should only put 4 sockets max on a 20a radial

Yeah something like 3 doubles or 6 singles

 

[westward10]

None of these requirements for radials or ring finals have ever been Regulations just informative in the Appendices.

 

[7029 dave]

None of these requirements for radials or ring finals have ever been Regulations just informative in the Appendices.

Yup in my view good working practices, unlimited 20A radials IMO is just ridiculous