UK Ring Circuits (previously Ring Mains) for Socket Outlets

Ring circuits as used in the UK for socket outlets.

► Support this channel:

► Social Media:

► Contact info, sending stuff in: etc.:

► Website - More on this video and many other subjects

[billpotter]

Hello from the weird year 2020. I just watched Technology Connections explaining the U.S. electrical system. He casually explained that it's not nearly as weird as the U.K. ring mains. So that's why I am here. Great explanation. Yes, I now understand why it should be removed from the current standard.

[virginiahansen]

Technology Connections brought me here!

[peterwilson]

I don't know anything about electrics and to be honest i'm not sure how i ended up here, but i find this guy strangely captivating. I'm now considering installing a new consumer unit and ring main for no reason other than John Ward showed me how.

[Goffic]

By far and away the most lucid explanation I have ever seen. Something I've always thought should be fairly simple has always had an air of complex, don't touch, experts only etc. and John's explanation is so easy to absorb. Your a genius JW.

[slysi]

I was taught the virtues of the ring mains when I left school in the 80's and did my apprenticeship, just before moving into IT, and thought it was a great idea. Now in my 50's and having moved into various old properties (and always checking for signs of heat/loose connections in electrical outlets) this video has explained so much. Well worth 16 minutes of my life to totally change my mind as to the safety of electrical circuits.

[YTDmeyez]

Fantastic Explanation, 6 years later your video was recommended to me. All praise the algorithm.

[olegs]

The Canadian Electrical code still allows ring circuits in 2015. Never used one, never seen one and didn't even know what it was until I watched this video. Great video.

[TheAdwatson]

I am a retired electronics tech who actually did some rewiring in my father's house in the UK. The old, lead-covered cable under the floorboards was beautifully layed out and neatly dressed, but as soon as it was disturbed the old rubber insulation disintegrated. I am guilty of incorporating "a borrowed neutral" into a three-way stair lighting circuit, but I am sure that the house has been completely rewired since my father sold it in the late 1980s. I could not understand the need for a ring circuit, primarily because I understood the risk of overloading in the event of ring discontinuity. This is the first video I have encountered that explains why I was correct about ring circuits.

[paulbristow]

You described how to wire a ring main up perfectly clear, I understood it perfect! Thank you !

[rayhindle]

Thanks JW you brought me back up to speed, having done house wiring back at college as part of my apprenticeship I went into electronics and only ever used household electrics when needing to do my own, I will keep this video as a reminder. Thanks again. Ray.

[ForViewingOnly]

Excellent teacher, excellent channel. Thanks JW. I had a 32A ring circuit in an old outbuilding, and rodents had gotten into the walls, chewed on the wires and the RCD kept tripping. I expected the worst, that the circuit had been destroyed, but the electrician isolated and removed the chewed section and I was delighted to end up with two 16A radial circuits that tested fine and with roughly the same number of sockets on each. Could have been worse.

[trelosenario]

Now that i moved to london i found your videos very helpfull understanting uk domestic instalations. Thank you very very much.

[Twonkadoodle]

Crystal clear and very much appreciated, why can’t all d I Y videos be made like this . Great job

[lohkebeats]

Came for the education, stayed for the shade this man had to throw on ring mains 😂 seriously though, very clear and useful video!

[danielpayne]

Great video. Clear explanation. Currently studying this on my Level 1 Diploma course. Makes so much more sense to install separate radial circuits throughout a domestic dwelling. Cheers!

[RAndrewNeal]

When I first heard about these, I thought they were relics of the past. I was _shocked_ (lol) to find out that they're still in use today, and you've explained very clearly to me how they work. I wouldn't want one in my house; good thing everything here in the States is what you refer to as radial.

[HelloKittyFanMan.]

Who else came here after Technology Connections (06/20) drove you to a search?

[seymourpro]

The ring main was introduced after a long and hard war (WW2) and materials were in short supply, previously houses with electricity had few 15A sockets each wired as a spur from a fuse box. With the advent of 13a fused plugs and ring mains (as then called) with the limited and perhaps rationed cable could be used for more houses than the same amount of copper used as single socket radial circuits.
Whether a ring circuit NOW represents the best practice doesn't matter because there are probably 20 million ring circuits in existance and most electricians will meet them on a daily basis.

[Josh-vphw]

I will never get over how differently you Electricians in the U.K. Do things differently than us Electricians in the States.
Though I know you are professional tradesmen and take great skill in your craft, and know what you are doing, something like that would never be allowed over here.
Always enjoy watching the way things are done over there.
Wasn't intending to be disrespectful if I was, anyways cheers from the States.

[nomadicsoul]

Fairly strong opinions being expressed at the beginning. You certainly aren't shy !