3 cable Ring Main??

[robaxeman]

I noticed that the circuit breaker for the mains sockets has 3 cables connected to it. I thought that if there was one it was a radial circuit, and two if it was a ring main. So what does it mean if there are 3?

Cheers.

 

[BS3036]

Could be a ring final plus one spur.

 

[ColJack]

it means someone has taken a spur from the ringmain, but they've done it at the point of origin.

 

[robaxeman]

Thanks for the V.rapid responses!

What I intend to do then is to disconnect one cable at a time and test all my sockets to see which ones are affected - can I just disconnect the live wire or do I need to disconnect the corresponding neutral as well?

Many thanks for your help.

 

[BS3036]

Live will do - but don't have any large loads on while you do this (as you will only have reduced capacity on the ring during some tests), and make sure you switch off main switch between tests. Be safe!

 

[robaxeman]

OK - thanks again - that's a big help.

Cheers,

Robin

 

[ericmark]

What you have is permitted see below

Ring Main

• ericmark
• 1 Jun 2009
• 6

IET Wiring regulation update

 

[dannyboi2003]

Why do you want to disconnect it, there isn't anything wrong with it the way it is.

 

[robaxeman]

Call it a thirst for knowledge - I just want to know what is connected where - just nosy I guess!

R.

 

[AndyPRK]

disconnect all 3 lives.

Work out which two are connected (the ring) and connect them both back up.

leave the 3rd out and see what don't work.

likely to be close to the cu maybe and maybe a recent addition

 

[dannyboi2003]

Ahhh gotcha and i know what you mean about needing to know whats what

I thought you were going to disconnect it permanently because you didn't like it being there.

 

[robaxeman]

Sorted - the extra cable feeds two sockets in the Lounge, next door to the garage where the CU is. This was done before we moved in.

At least I know what its for! Thanks for the tips.

However.........

//www.diynot.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=1244433#1244433

 

[Lectrician]

The spur from the consumer unit should only feed one double or single socket, not two sockets.

 

[robaxeman]

Hmm... does that mean I HAVE to disconnect it? I have a spare slot on the CU - should I make a new circuit just for those two sockets?

Thanks again,

R.

 

[BS3036]

It depends if it's easier to just extend the ring final to include those sockets.