adding extra sockets

[getonwithit]

How many sockets can you have on a ring main?

 

[Chri5]

How many sockets can you have on a ring main?

Up to the fuse value (normal 32 amp) of the circuit.

So in theory you could have 50 double sockets ! But the total load over all sockets needs to be less than the fuse rating.

32 amp x 230v = about 7400w's

A flat screen TV might use 200w, a heater might use 3000w and you need to consider the total number of devices used at the same time on the circuit.
Ring mains for kitchens are quite easy to overload, ring mains for the rest of the ground floor and the ring for the bedroom floor are quite hard to overload.

The big users of power such as kettles, toasters, tumble driers, electric heating tend to be the items you need to consider as ones that may overload the circuit.

A ring main also has a physical maximum cable distance, about 80m for a fuse mcb type B- much less (about 45m) for a fuse wire type fuse.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The rule of thumb is as many as you want, but as Chris5 has mentioned you don't want overload the circuit, but to do that, everything will need to be on at the same time!

 

[ricicle]

If you have a definitive load then you need to base your calcs on that, but other than that use guidance.

For instance, in a large commercial kitchen you wouldn't wire one ring circuit for the whole kitchen, you might only have 3 or 4 sockets on one circuit.
But in a house (other than the kitchen) you could have 10 or even 20 sockets on one circuit.

 

[sparkfish]

The official line is as many sockets as you want providing the floor area does not exceed 100m2 and as mentioned you take into account the load going to be put on the circuit. It is also recommended to install 4mm radials in kitchens as it can be difficult to balance the load on a ring.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

 

[Steve]

Still not fitted the base units ban? Isnt Mrs sheds getting fed up of her incomplete kitchen??

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

The official line is as many sockets as you want providing the floor area does not exceed 100m2

That has changed

RING FINAL CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS, REGULATION 433.1.5
The load current in any part of the circuit should be unlikely to exceed for long periods the current-carrying capacity of the cable
(Regulation 433.1.5 refers). This can generally be achieved by:
(i) locating socket-outlets to provide reasonable sharing of the load around the ring
(ii) not supplying immersion heaters, comprehensive electric space heating or loads of a similar profile from the ring circuit
(iii) connecting cookers, ovens and hobs with a rated power exceeding 2 kW on their own dedicated radial circuit
(iv) taking account of the total floor area being served. (Historically, a limit of 100 m2 has been adopted.)

 

[holmslaw]

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