Why does the UK use rings for sockets?

[John-SJW]

I take it you're allowed to use radials for sockets?

So why does anyone bother with rings, seems like extra hassle to me.

A final ring has many advantages. It is interesting on how it came about. The ultimate socket design is to have a radial to each socket outlet on its own fuse at the Consumer Unit - the optimum solution of course. One fuse at the Consumer Unit for each socket.
This means you will need a very large consumer unit and lots of fuses (one for each socket) in the consumer unit, and an amazing amount of cable.

BINGO A ring gives this by distributing the consumer unit around the house via a ring cable, having a fuse on each socket (the plug). The ring cable is a fused bus. This saves the vast expense of a plethora of radial cables back to the main panel and also a plethora of fuses at a very large consumer unit. This distribution saves on costs.

Simple and highly effective

 

[DPG]

A final ring has many advantages. It is interesting on how it came about. The ultimate socket design is to have a radial to each socket outlet on its own fuse at the Consumer Unit - the optimum solution of course. One fuse at the Consumer Unit for each socket.
This means you will need a very large consumer unit and lots of fuses (one for each socket) in the consumer unit, and an amazing amount of cable.

BINGO A ring gives this by distributing the consumer unit around the house via a ring cable, having a fuse on each socket (the plug). The ring cable is a fused bus. This saves the vast expense of a plethora of radial cables back to the main panel and also a plethora of fuses at a very large consumer unit. This distribution saves on costs.

Simple and highly effective

You're replying to someone who hasn't been on the forum since May 2020.

 

[John-SJW]

You're replying to someone who hasn't been on the forum since May 2020.

For information. People read the threads.

 

[DPG]

For information. People read the threads.

Fair point.

 

[7029 dave]

IMO we have turned full circle, fuseboxes are even bigger now with the various devices that have to be put in them, plus the reintroduction (preferred) of radial circuits over RFC. Also the increasing number of multiple switchgear being used eg to separate existing installations to new work being provided eg plastic/metal CU's forced on by the current regulations which cant be avoided in some situations cost being one big identifier.

 

[telectrix]

My final word on rings......
If the circuit was a square. the electrons would
have difficulty at the corners, so a ring is more efficient.

 

[Mike Johnson]

The main problem with the ring circuit is it allows small CU's and they get tucked into all sorts of inaccessible space's, the French regulations are strict on the placement of the CU, can't be in a cupboard unless facing forward within 50mm of the front, height from the floor, latest regulations have communication provisions in a parallel board, admittedly I don't know why you would need a telephone point in the toilet.

 

[pc1966]

There always should have been a regulation on access space and similar for the CU placement (or fuse board in its day). But there was not and I don't see it ever being introduced for existing properties under EICR sort of checks. Really it should be a buildings control issue.

I really don't see how RFC vs. radial matters there as such problems are already in place.

AFDD cost, now there is something to consider...

 

[Lister1987]

There always should have been a regulation on access space and similar for the CU placement (or fuse board in its day). But there was not and I don't see it ever being introduced for existing properties under EICR sort of checks. Really it should be a buildings control issue.

I really don't see how RFC vs. radial matters there as such problems are already in place.

AFDD cost, now there is something to consider...

EAWR 15, admittedly it would only apply for the contractors and not the homeowner but still.

"Sorry Mrs Miggins but my hobbit apprentice is at college so I'm afraid I can't undertake the work on your board; not enough room to work safely you see, I could however move it to somewhere more accessible for everyone for a small fee of X"