No more "Rings", radials for everyone. 1

[alang]

After attending a course to update my "Testing & Inspection" knowledge. I was surprised to hear the course instructor say that with the alignment of BS7671 regulations with european legislation that the UK 13 amp socket will be phased out and, the end of the "ring circuit" is nigh (probably not before time). I was informed that this is already in the pipeline and would be a reality within the next couple of years. Is this indeed the case?

Anyone have any more info on this?

 

[don01]

Coming from another strange place I have to ask - "Whats a ring circuit?"

Don

 

[alang]

Don
A ring circuit is unique to UK installations. The circuit is used for power outlets and is connected in the following manner. A cable (2.5mm csa) is taken from a fuse, or circuit breaker, within a distribution board and looped between all the socket outlets in the circuit. This cable is then looped from the last socket in the chain back to the same fuse in the distribution board. This has the effect of supplying the sockets with a parallel feed cable, effectively dividing the current through each leg of the parallel path. The fuse or beaker is rated at 30 - 32 amps and because each plug (UK 13 amp) has an individual fuse inside it, this provides overcurrent protection to each appliance plugged into the circuit. More info can be obtained from BS7671:1992 or various other publications such as "The Electricians Guide to the 16th Edition of the IEE Regulations" by J F Whitfield, published by EPA Press.

I hope this goes some way to answering your query.

 

[jbartos]

What about a CENELEC harmonization of standards with IEC Standards?

 

[alang]

I believe that the harmonisation of CENELEC and IEC Standards is part of the same process, but don't quote me on that one. If it is then it could take some time for all this to be finalised.

 

[don01]

alang
Thanks for that you,ve cleared the fog out for me. Comment only: do that down here and you stand a real good chance of loosing your licence if the supply authority finds out or your "crown jewels" if the next sparky finds you. I can see the rationale of reducing IR drop but it would make it a s**t to trace the circuits and crowd the db. We use up to 32A on 2.5mm2 2c&e pvc/pvc tps type cabling but one end only at the db

Again thanks
Don