Lighting ring

[musicspark]

I have just been to a tripping RCD in the house that Jack built. First thing that struck me was 14 circuits on one 63A 30mA RCD which was also the Main Switch (TT). This had three computers plus somaudioo gear running so I figured it was probably cumulative leakage.

Anyway while investigating what was what, I discovered what appeared to be four lighting circuits into one breaker, but on further inspection it proved to be

two 1mm rings for first and second floor lighting.Wet Fish

Anybody got anything to say? Is this compliant? Is this dangerous

Should I?????? ?:|

 

[Andy™]

not something i would have expected to be on a ring.... sounds like a DIYer who 'knows' how to wire sockets has had a go at the lighting

 

[musicspark]

you are spot on there Mate! we know who he is.

what if anything should I do?

 

[Lee321]

i can't believe you didn't get 1 fish for that post!

if that was me the fishermens quotas would be nilROTFWL

 

[batty]

New consumer unit with Rcbo's and you could split lighting up into four circuits.

 

[musicspark]

I dont think the lighting is responsible for the leakage , that's more to do with the sockets I think.

 

[Lurch]

You don;t need to do anything, the lighting is fine on a ring, might be unconventional but nothing wrong with it.

 

[spinlondon]

Must agree with Lurch here.

I've only done it the once myself, where some extra lighting in a workshop wasn't kicking in. All the lights were flouries.

Just ran a cable back to the DB, and increased the size of the MCB from 6A to 10A.

 

[musicspark]

thanks Lurch

while i can see that there is a bigger current carrying capacity I thought perhaps there could be problems with isolation, IE someone thinking they had disconnected in the middle of the loop

 

[Lurch]

The only thing that might be a bit on the dodgy side if having the 2 rings in the same MCB. Depends how involved you want to get with it, could split them into 2 circuits, or check the regs on rings. Got a feeling it is allowed to have 2 rings on one CPD, would have to check before committing myself to that though.

I thought perhaps there could be problems with isolation, IE someone thenking they had disconnected in the middle of the loop

Well yes and no, because it is unconventional I can see what you're thinking, but if you're playing with the wiring you should be doing it properly and not just assuming everything is as you might expect and hoping for the best. Anyone with some common sense would work it out.

 

[musicspark]

Thanks again Stewart

I do hope you are right about two circuits though or we shall need a much bigger board (not the only one doubled up)

the consensus on this forum seems to be that its ok though

 

[sellers]

May be a large circuit,installer may have put a return leg on then that sorts out the volt drop and max zs.

 

[Andy™]

The only thing that might be a bit on the dodgy side if having the 2 rings in the same MCB. Depends how involved you want to get with it, could split them into 2 circuits, or check the regs on rings. Got a feeling it is allowed to have 2 rings on one CPD, would have to check before committing myself to that though..

you can have as many outgoing per MCB as you want. its all the same circuit

 

[Evans Electric]

Its unconventional certainly, been in the trade forever and not seen lighting on a ring . However ,Can't see anything wrong with it , in fact it sounds like a good idea.

Only problem is that not many guys would expect it and assume those four cables were all radials. I know someone will say you shouldn't assume but you wouldn't expect it , would you . Vision of removing a leg and getting a p****r from the other one.

Two rings from the same MCB smacks of running out of spare ways at some stage and doubling them up.

Seem to remember doing street lighting at a school on a ring once.

 

[bengie]

as said it sounds fine but unconventional, you could have 100 circuits on a 63A main switch if you want as long as they are small circuits, when i eventually build my own house i will be putting a rather large board and running each rooms lighting and sockets as individual circuits so nothing can affect anything else, uses more cable but makes fault finding and usability much better.