RE: Ring main question

[Robert Chasmer <robert.chasmer@xxxxxxx>]

Paul Helliwell [mailto:g0kao@xxxxxxx]
wrote:
> 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.

Thanks.  My friend is going to get a qualified electrician in to check
out his fusebox etc.  I pressume it will be someone by recommendation,
but I'll pass on the info about being registered etc.


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

Thats the great thing about this group, everyones got there own ideas,
knowledge and suggestions.  I tend to prefer to find out as much as I
can about things, and only do them myself if I'm 100% sure I know what
I'm doing.  I have *little* trust when it comes to getting people in
to do things, but sometimes thats the best thing to do.  At least if I
have some knowledge I can make sure the contractor does a good job, and
be able to talk to him about the things I'm unsure on.


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

OK.

After ensuring all the mains was off, I would have used my digital
Multi-meter to check the resistance between the lives and then
the neutrals and earth for each of the cables terminating at the
box. Surley there shouldn't be any partial short circuits between
two different rings.  If there was I would have given up.


> 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.

Thanks.  Out of interest how easy is it to ensure all the plugs are
removed from the sockets for this test.  Theres bound to be one plug
you forget.

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> ----- 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
>
> > 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

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