RING CIRCUIT FAULT FINDING - FINDING BREAKS IN THE CABLE - TESTING METHODS - HOW TO TEST THE CIRCUIT

In this LearnElectrics video we look at ways of finding breaks or damaged wiring in a ring circuit. The methods you might employ if a periodic inspection of a premises has identified problems with the circuit. If you’re new to the trade or perhaps if testing is now part of your job description, this video will help.
We’ve had lots of questions posted …
How do I test for broken wires in a ring circuit?
Or … During an Inspection and Test there is no continuity on some of the end to end tests.
How do I find the problem?
What readings should I get at the sockets and how can the resistance readings help me to find the problem?
And lots more, including how to test without a wander lead
This is video number 204 and to view all our videos type in LearnElectrics all one word into the KZbin search bar.
Visit our KZbin channel where we have many more videos on a wide range of electrical topics.

[@gbelectricks]

Great video Dave, I like to use the method you described here. The only additional thing I do is put a piece of insulation tape on top of the socket with the measured resistance value written on it. I also then go back to the board and link the other end, then use a different colour tape and start writing resistance values on socket fronts. Then if the ring isn’t logically wired, at least you can start removing the two sockets with the “highest resistances” first. I find it very effective especially if you’ve no idea how the ring has been previously wired.

[@learnelectrics4402]

What an excellent method. Live and learn every day. Thanks for the tips, definitely worth investigating. Dave.

[@jimmycristuta4649]

Very informative and it helps me a lot because am starting to go back as a technical personnel. Thanks a lot…

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad it was helpful and stick with it, its a good trade. Dave.

[@koonholee3056]

My favorite electrical knowledge channel, never disappoint you

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, great feedback. Lots more to come.

[@AngelaPeters-fy1tc]

Excellent video and I will watch it again just to get it cerebrally embedded.

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, appreciated.

[@Crystalpal1978]

I have my am2 coming up, thus channel is very helpful 👌

[@learnelectrics4402]

If it helps, great. Try and revise a little each day, rather than too much the night before. Good luck. Dave.

[@mikegmarshall]

Great video thanks - I use the same method. I use the continuity buzzer but same result - been a spark since 1980 but I could listen to you all day cheers Dave keep em coming 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thanks for sharing another way of testing Mike.

[@alinili5569]

Hi Dave I be been registered Approved Contractor for 13 years I found your videos very helpful and the best available I listen your video when I can during the work or at home You are great thanks

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thanks for the great feedback, really appreciated. Dave.

[@mikegmarshall]

Great video thanks - I use the same method. I use the continuity buzzer on my MFT but same result - been a spark since 1980 but I could listen to you all day cheers Dave keep em coming 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

Great tip Mike. Thanks for your support, really appreciated. Dave.

[@deeprajshanker2325]

Thanks for tricky testing explanation.

[@learnelectrics4402]

You are welcome, thanks for watching.

[@northeastcorals]

Ive watched videos on this subject in the past but none were as clearly explained as this one, top notch 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching. Lots more to come. Dave.

[@no_short_circuit]

When the route of the ring isn't quite straigtforward, Dave's video TRACING SOCKET CIRCUITS and other ELECTRICAL CIRCUITS is very useful

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thanks for the plug. Appreciated.

[@sunshine3187]

The one I've been waiting for, cheers Dave. Always excellently explained.

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad to help, thanks for watching. next weeks is about breaks in the neutral. Thanks for the support. Dave.

[@tonybaker7453]

Very good. Nice and simple. The hard bit is often the mystery of the socket runs and sequence along with spurs

[@learnelectrics4402]

Always draw what you see Tony, take loads of notes and save them in case you go back. Sometimes the only way is to disconnect at the board and resistance test on the most sensitive scale that your multimeter will go to and look for the ohms to increase as you move along the wires. Thanks for the input. Dave.

[@Finnyproperty]

Hi want to say thanks for the videos, recently started studying again at the age of 27, starting my NVQ level 3 next week and I've been watching your videos a lot to get my head round it all. cheers dave

[@learnelectrics4402]

Best of luck Dan, you can do it. I know lots of folk who started in their late 20s through to 40s and they now have crackin little businesses. Stick with it, learn a little every day. It takes time, but time is what makes you good. Dave.

[@hussmortada]

Simply the best! I love your methods and I never fail to understand everything clearly. Thank you once again

[@learnelectrics4402]

Happy to hear that and thanks for supporting the channel.

[@hussmortada]

@@learnelectrics4402 I wonder if you could do a video on under voltage faults, possible reasons and solutions. Regards

[@matt4436]

Thumbs up first then start watching

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, lots more to come. Dave.

[@testingtechnicians6751]

I was waiting your video this morning, thinking what is it going to be 🤔

[@learnelectrics4402]

Hope you enjoyed it, after making you wait. Thanks for watching. Dave.

[@robertwainwright5441]

Brilliant videos 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad you like them and thanks for the support. Dave.

[@user-qi8tv2sj4m]

Brilliant, just brilliant.

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, glad you found it useful. Dave.

[@greatrixbrad]

Excellent video, as always. As a suggestion, it might be worthwhile to link in description to your video that shows how to map out the path of a ring circuit, in case it’s not as logical a path as shown here. My own house has a strange ring, with two adjacent sockets in the lounge having a path upstairs (serving all sockets) then back down, rather than just being joined to one another…. Linking up that other video with this one makes a useful complement.

[@learnelectrics4402]

That's a great idea, also suggested by another viewer. I will get this done and thanks for the prompt. Dave.

[@forgottenadvice8325]

Very helpful video. Thanks

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching. Dave.

[@craigg7418]

Brilliant, this is the easiest way 😊

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad you think so Craig. Thanks for watching.

[@ibrahimabdullah4430]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@learnelectrics4402]

You're welcome, and thank you for watching. Dave.

[@johngray8798]

Brilliant, thank you.

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad it was helpful and thanks for watching.

[@jamalel-sahati8632]

thank you

[@learnelectrics4402]

You're welcome, thanks for watching.

[@lucapuzzoli8363]

Excellent. Thanks 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

You are welcome, thanks for watching.

[@hibernatus40]

Top Quality as usual🍺🍺🍺

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, appreciated.

[@shiamjad]

Top Content every time

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, appreciated comment.

[@generosity3545]

Really usefull

[@learnelectrics4402]

Glad you think so and thanks for watching.

[@ja_adam_]

Hi Dave, issue at home please could you help, I was washing car with jet wash, when I went to unplug I got a very noticeable shock , a good tingle in my fingers that made me pull away quick… the plug was wet as I’d mistakenly left the socket lid up and it had got pretty wet as were my hands. I’m guessing some electricity was leaking up through the moisture. The sockets are on an RCD but it never tripped? I tested the RCD and it trips in time and tripped at 25ma on a ramp test. Any idea why it wouldn’t have tripped? I’m guessing there was at least 25mA of current leaking as I got a good tingle so should have tripped ?

[@learnelectrics4402]

If you've tested it and it trips ok, then I would say that the shock current you felt was a lot less than 30mA. they do say that a current as low as 10mA will make you sit up and take notice. Also, if you were wearing rubber soled shoes that would reduce the shock current too. Lesson learnt I guess. Hope you're OK. Dave.

[@robertwainwright5441]

Another great video 👍

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thanks for watching, very much appreciated.

[@robertwainwright5441]

@@learnelectrics4402 your videos have helped an old man getting into being an electrician 👍 keep up the great work..

[@jamiemarks1944]

Can u please do a fault finding on lighting circuit please

[@learnelectrics4402]

Will do.

[@train4905]

Awsome😊😊

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, appreciated. Dave.

[@spiritualsouls1231]

Liked & subscribed

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you, appreciated. Dave.

[@LukeCole-w5t]

How would you identify the legs on the ring circuit if it’s wired in singles protected by conduit?

[@learnelectrics4402]

That's a great idea for a follow on video. Thanks. The sparky should have marked them and/or taped them. If not, remove a socket and test from the CU to find which pair is which.

[@brianhewitt8618]

👌

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thank you Brian.

[@persocommeysolarpowersys-zk9pu]

Is it possible to use a ring circuit for lighting purposes?

[@learnelectrics4402]

Nothing wrong with that, except that for most lighting at 6A or 10A breakers, the T/E cable easily copes with the demand current as a radial.

[@tonybaker7453]

Yes but use a 3A, 5A fused spur to protect the additional lighting circuit cable.

[@henrystevens2258]

In theory this is a good way but the problem with doing it this way is as the resistance rises you think this the wiring route that as been installed but the sockets can and in most cases in my experience can give false results because of there age are how they been used over the year ,so after many times of fixing breaks in rings it really is better to remove the sockets of the wall.

[@learnelectrics4402]

Thanks for your input, appreciated, Dave.

[@pcg1276]

How do you identify incoming and outgoing pvc singles at the board?

[@learnelectrics4402]

Have a look at the video on the link below. When you do the crossover, a correct crossover will be R1+R2/4 at each socket. If you have incoming and outgoing mixed up, you will get very different values at each socket. kzbin.info/www/bejne/n4ekdnd7q7OCmKc

[@pcg1276]

@@learnelectrics4402 Thanks I'll do that test first in future.