Am I on ring or radial sockets (test results included)

[generationrome]

Hi, I recently moved into a new house and I am trying to get a picture in my head of how the house is wired up. Helpfully I have the original installation certificate, could someone help me interpret this. Specifically from what I am gathering the upstairs and kitchen/utility sockets are on a ring circuit and everything else is radial, is that correct? The reason I am wanting to know is I want to spur off an upstairs socket to add a new one but if it is a ring socket, I am most likely going to get an electrician in as I would be unable to tell if the socket I was wanting to spur from was already a spur, and I know this wouldn't be allowed. Results below:

 

[pete01]

Circuit 2 and 7 are rings according to that

 

[generationrome]

That's what I thought, so do you think it would be a bit risky for me to add a single spur from an existing socket in a room? The socket in question is the only socket in that room to be fair but I still can't be sure it's not already a spur is my thinking.

 

[pete01]

Does the socket you want to come off have two cables in it?

 

[generationrome]

Does the socket you want to come off have two cables in it?

I'll have to take it off and have a look, what would that mean?

 

[pete01]

I'll have to take it off and have a look, what would that mean?

Well hopefully that it's part of the ring but not always, you would need to do a contuinty test with the power off....if you have any testers?

 

[pete01]

Turn the power off to have a look aswell...be careful please.

 

[generationrome]

Turn the power off to have a look aswell...be careful please.

Yes I will turn off the sockets and look. I am picking up this tester tomorrow, would it be suitable?

LAP DC Digital Multimeter 600V - Screwfix

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And how would I perform the test?

 

[pete01]

Yes it looks like it has a continuity setting opposite the off setting

 

[generationrome]

Yes it looks like it has a continuity setting opposite the off setting

Okay, so how would I use this to confirm that the socket is not already a dodgy spur on the ring circuit?

 

[pete01]

Turn all the power off turn off the main switch off I would.

Make sure 100% that the socket is dead

Disconnect it and test continuity between both live wires both neutrals wires and both earth wires, if you have continuity it's most probably part of the ring

Be careful, power off always.

 

[Jurassicspark]

I know what you're trying to say mate but it would be better to phrase it clearly

Turn all the power off turn off the main switch off I would.

Make sure 100% that the socket is dead

Disconnect it and test continuity between both live wires both neutral wires and both earth wires, if you have it it's most probably part of the ring

Be careful, power off always..

 

[pete01]

I know what you're trying to say mate but it would be better to phrase it clearly

Edited, cheers mucka

 

[ericmark]

The ring final and radial system can both use 32 amp supplies, and both can have both fused and unfused spurs. In theory if less than 32 amp it will be a radial, however, one method to get around the problem of unfused spurs, is to reduce the size of the main overload for the circuit.

To test can get involved, and what annoys me, is lack of details on the installation certificates, or sockets in domestic, commercial often one will see a sticker DB3/6 which one would assume means distribution board 3 and 6th overload along, but rarely seen with domestic.

Yours does seem better than most, but the only way to be sure any socket with two or more cables is part of a ring is to measure resistance line to line, neutral to neutral and earth to earth, to see if part of a ring. Even then it could be a lollipop circuit.

 

[generationrome]

View attachment 385970View attachment 385971The ring final and radial system can both use 32 amp supplies, and both can have both fused and unfused spurs. In theory if less than 32 amp it will be a radial, however, one method to get around the problem of unfused spurs, is to reduce the size of the main overload for the circuit.

To test can get involved, and what annoys me, is lack of details on the installation certificates, or sockets in domestic, commercial often one will see a sticker DB3/6 which one would assume means distribution board 3 and 6th overload along, but rarely seen with domestic.

Yours does seem better than most, but the only way to be sure any socket with two or more cables is part of a ring is to measure resistance line to line, neutral to neutral and earth to earth, to see if part of a ring. Even then it could be a lollipop circuit.

Okay thanks all for the help. I do need a bit more instruction though. When you say "measure resistance line to line, neutral to neutral and earth to earth, to see if part of a ring" or when pete01 says "Disconnect it and test continuity between both live wires both neutral wires and both earth wires", how do I actually do that, what am I looking for on the meter? Sorry I know it probably seems self explanatory to you.