Fw: Ring main question

["Paul Helliwell" <g0kao@xxxxxxx>]

DO NOT USE A BUZZER for this testing. You may get false readings due to
partial short circuits that may exist in the circuit.

I am a Qualified Electrician and the only safe way to test this out
properly
is with the use of an insulation tester. This generates a approx 500 volts
so ENSURE THAT ALL PLUGS REMOVED FROM SOCKETS otherwise appliance may get
damaged and you may also get false readings. There is another tester which
is used to test Earth Loop Impedance and again all appliances should be
removed from sockets.

If you are still not sure then I strongly recommend that you find a
suitably
qualified electrician to check it out properly. Most good electricians are
registered with the Joint Industry Board for the Electrical Contracting
Industry and may also be registered withe the NICEIC which is an Inspection
authority that inspects work carried out by Electricians. If you can find
one by recommendation that is even better.

Sorry for the long post guys but I feel that where electrics are concerned
it should be done properly.

Paul H


----- Original Message -----
From: "James, Daniel" <daniel.james@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, March 11, 2002 10:54 AM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Ring main question


> >So it seems that the ring main is feed by two fuses, one in each
> > direction.
>
> I had this problem in a previous property.
>
> You should have 4 live wires returned to the fuse box.... from the two
rings
>
> It could be that the two rings have been crossed at the fuse box, it
is a
> easy thing to test and fix, but will involve taking the power down for
an
> hour or so.
>
> 1, Switch off the power to the house.
> 2, Note where the cables are wired to .
> 3, Disconnect the 4 live connectors from the fuses, and ENSURE THEY
ARE
NOT
> LIVE. (Hence turning off the master fuse in the box, not just the two
> rings..)
> 4, take a mulitmeter / continuity tester and attach it to one of the 4
red
> cables, and touch the other end of the multimeter to one of the other
3
> cables, use this to see if the rings are crossed, - you should be able
to
> find the other end of the ring, as it is the one that sounds the
continuity
> buzzer!) - test this for all 3 cables, if the buzzer sounds then you
have
a
> problem further down the system
> 5, label these as a pair, and replace onto one of the fuses.
> 6, buy virtue the other 2 cables should be the other ring, but double
check
> this!!
> 7, wire the fuse box back up, and then test the two circuits
independently,
> with a light plugged in to the various sockets, (some houses have an
> upstairs and downstairs ring, others have front back...)
>
> 8, label the fuses.
>
> If this does not work, then you have a problem elsewhere in the house,
put
> the cabling back as you found it in 2, above, and rethink :-)
>
> HTH
>
> Daniel
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Robert Chasmer [mailto:robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx]
> Sent: 11 March 2002 10:45
> To: 'ukha_d@xxxxxxx'
> Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Ring main question
>
>
> > "Robert Chasmer" <robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx> wrote:
> > > So it seems that the ring main is feed by two fuses, one in
each
> > > direction.
>
> Paul Helliwell [mailto:g0kao@xxxxxxx] wrote:
> > Basically Twin+E usually 2.5mm squared (carnt do symbol for
squared)
> > starts at one fuse in fuse box and then goes to each socket in
turn
> > and then from the last socket back to the same fuse in the
fusebox.
> >
> > For IEE wiring regulations try http://www.iee.org/Publish/WireRegs/
> > lots of info can be obtained.
>
> Thanks for the info, I was pretty sure it wasnt't wired correctly.
> I'm not sure if its just the fuse box that is wired wrongly on some
> dogey join between two rings.  I guess I can check if two wires are
> terminating in each fuse.
>
> I've had a look on that site, and it seems they want money for most of
> the PDFs.  I'm going to see if I can find more info elsewhere.
>
>
> David Buckley [mailto:db@xxxxxxx]
wrote:
> > Very bad
> > Presumably 2 x 32A breakers feeding a common ring, massive
overload
> > potential, fires etc.
> > Expert advice needed.
>
> Worrying.  Are you saying that the ring is less likely to trip because
> of the two fuses, So then the cables become overloaded and start to
> burn? I'll let my mate know that he *SHOULD* invest in a good leccky
> to get this sorted.
>
> I saw a tv program a few weeks ago, about various dodgey so called
> electrical engineers.  For the sting they'd setup loads of cameras
> in the house and then just swapped two fuses over in the box.  One
> of the engineers decided to put a lighter to the fuses, making them
> look all burned to scare the owner that her house could catch fire
> unless she paid him for lots of money to fix it.
>
> Hopefully he'll be able to find someone he knows to do the work.
>
> Thanks for your help
>
>
> Rob
> --
>      ______   __   _   ______   ______
>     / ___   / /  /  / __    / _____ HOME: chas@xxxxxxx
>    / /  /_/ / /__/ / / /__/ / / /__    http://www.kaosuk.co.uk/
>   / /  __  / ___  / / ___  /  \__  \            ----
>  / /__/ / / /  / / / /  / / _____/ / Rob Chasmer, MMT Computing
> ______/ _/  /_/ _/  /_/ ______/ robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx
>
> This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and
intended
> solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are
addressed.
> If you have received this email in error please let us know by e-mail
reply
> and delete it from your system; you may not copy this message or
disclose
> its contents to anyone.  Please note that any views or opinions
presented
in
> this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily
represent
> those of MMT Computing plc.  Finally, the recipient should check this
email
> and any attachments for the presence of viruses.  MMT Computing plc
accepts
> no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this
email.
>
>
> For more information: http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
> Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx
> Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx
> List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>
> ***********************************************************
> This message is confidential and intended for the exclusive
> use of the addressee(s) only and remains the property of
> Exchange FS Group plc. You should not disclose its contents
> to any other person. If you are not the intended recipient
> please notify the sender named above immediately.
>
> Registered Office: Munro House, Portsmouth Road, Cobham,
> Surrey, KT11 1TE. Registered in England No. 2596452
> ***********************************************************
>
>
>
> For more information: http://www.automatedhome.co.uk
> Post message: ukha_d@xxxxxxx
> Subscribe:  ukha_d-subscribe@xxxxxxx
> Unsubscribe:  ukha_d-unsubscribe@xxxxxxx
> List owner:  ukha_d-owner@xxxxxxx
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>