Tips on Fault finding on ring final circuits and pro and cons of radial circuits vs Ring mains

[@JayTheSparky]

Totally agree regarding rings etc I generally do a ring up, down & kitchen. Sometimes if it’s small gaff then a radial upstairs for bedrooms but not often. If it’s a utility room in a big house I’ll do a ring for that too. Also agree regarding lighting circuits usually feed the switch but also feed the light, have done a few hybrid versions where I’ve ran a three core as a switch line which is gives you all the options. Great video mate

[@ElectricianTV]

Yes sometimes I do the same if there is talk of smart switches which might need an Neutral

[@JayTheSparky]

@@ElectricianTV Exactly mate, got caught out before with that one! Retro fitting a while later. Also on some properties I do it as it gives a perm at the fitting and if there’s been smokes offered but not taken up, means it’s an easy retro fit later with a few radio bases etc, not often but has happened nice to have it there and not need it than need it and not have it!

[@pjw6961]

I love a ring circuit. I hear so many sparks saying they hate them, but I don't know why.

[@ElectricianTV]

Same as mate I don’t get it All trying to be flash

[@benlambert9471]

We only install rings. Find it gives you more options if you have a fault that can’t be easily rectified then split it into a radial.

[@angelofranklin1]

The real problem with ring mains is pending on where the load is applied. There are many cases where to much load is plugged in near the origin of the circuit which will cause most of the current to flow through the lowest resistance back to the distribution board on one leg of the ring. Remember the OSG specifies 26 amps the be the average load on a 32-amp ring. One twin 13-amp socket. Personally iI would do a ring circuit for the bedrooms etc and a radial for the kitchen in 4.00 mm

[@electrician247]

Nice one Will! We still install rings but tend to use radials on upstairs bedrooms now. Your radial length will be limited by volt drop and Zs. It's still around 40-50m on your 2.5mm You make a great point on Zs. We want high fault current on faults, low impedance helps that. Same with testing rings I love it. Usually break the ring at a socket and megger each leg to start the hunt! Hope you enjoy the Xmas party 💪

[@ElectricianTV]

Cheers mark Is that the only way to find the fault.

[@electrician247]

@@ElectricianTV we all have our ways Will. Whatever works 💪

[@thedon7536]

What about future proofing. You rewire a house on 2.5 circuit for say 6g + then within the next few years gas boilers going? Are you going back to ask that house for another 6g + to put 4 mm radial ? As that house has had to put in electric heater. The same way come about years ago. Most houses used to have metal fuse boards then they said the way to go was put in 16th edition plastic boxes now 18th won’t metal. But you put in 18th and if needed you extend in plastic extendable box ? What you’re thought’s. Keep content coming m8

[@thedon7536]

If you’re naggy. That’s 12 k please lol

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

@@thedon7536 or Jordan fartisan

[@ElectricianTV]

To be honest I think in the future will be running more data cables solely for the dc circuits because everything in your house now electronically is DC so what is the point of running loads of 240 V sockets. I totally agree the extendable boxes should be in a noncombustible cabinet but then again if everything is torque I don’t see the point of Metal Consumer units. Fair enough they are to contain a fire by the 25 years I’ve been doing it I’ve never seen a burnout fuse board or distribution board not to say it doesn’t happen because obviously see hundreds of photos on Instagram.

[@olly7673]

Will, for me it's not so much fault finding as it's fairly easy to split it in two and bell it out. The problem for me is when that conductor comes out as you mentioned, you've potentially then got 32A running down 2.5mm, and we all know it happens. Someone has the front off a socket to decorate or do hanDFUl faceplate change and disturbs the cabling, and it can be like that til the next eicr ten years down the line before it's picked up on.

[@matthewdale956]

@@thedon7536 haha ….plus vat 😬

[@JayTheSparky]

The good old switch line call out…haven’t touched it…it worked before….yeah mate and Palace are gonna win the league this year…which fittings been changed recently mate?🤣

[@ElectricianTV]

Absolutely Jay

[@andrewcadby]

Radials have their place, but Ring is still King for socket circuits IMO, it has a lot of advantages over radials

[@ElectricianTV]

Totally agree mate

[@angelofranklin1]

Please name the advantages

[@andrewcadby]

@@angelofranklin1 sure. 1. Lower risk of arcing where a single loose connection of a live conductor occurs. 2. Lower risk of shock where a single loose connection of a CPC occurs. 3. Longer circuit length in terms of voltage drop when compared to a 32A/4mm, or 20A/2.5mm radial, or 25A radial wired in either. 4.Far more options in terms of reference method when compared to either a 32A/4mm radial, or a 25A/2.5mm radial. 5. Can be easily split into 2 radials if necessary should an inaccessible fault occur.

[@dannyboisparky]

The British way, rings for the win Oi Oi

[@ElectricianTV]

Absolutely mate why wouldn’t you

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

Try putting 2 4mils in a socket and dressing it up 🙄🙄🙄🙁🙁🙁🙁

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

A 💍 is king😎😎😎

[@ElectricianTV]

Ring sting after last night’s Christmas do

[@paul_my_plumbs_uk]

@@ElectricianTV how was it? 🎉🎉🎉🍺🍺🍺🍺