Another question about cables (6.0mm & 2.5)

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OnlQQker

OnlQQker

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Around 25 years ago I went to Spain with my girlfriend and stayed in an apartment, as she was unpacking the suitcase I decided to take the consumer unit face plate off and have a look. I was surprised to find what looked like 6.0mm cooker cable forming a ring, when I removed the faceplate from a socket behind the bed it was one cable which looked like 2.5mm. An access panel to the side of the bed revealed the 6.0mm cable with a spur off to the socket. I never got any further than this as my girlfriend was by then throwing a complete tantrum that we was supposed to be on holiday and this would probably explain why I am still single to this very day. :tearsofjoy:

So I was wondering why in the UK we run ring mains? I mean even if we run a ring (2x2.5mm) and then spurred off to each socket this would save a considerable amount of cable and running 2 cables in the wall, though this might not be viable in kitchens. Again I'm just wondering why and have only once come across an old 6.0mm cooker cable in a kitchen that was redundant and used as a kitchen ring in the UK, a ring main (2 x 2.5mm cables) had been attached to it (and no, I didn't do it, it was existing)


Thanks in advance!
 
OnlQQker said:
Around 25 years ago I went to Spain with my girlfriend and stayed in an apartment, as she was unpacking the suitcase I decided to take the consumer unit face plate off and have a look. I was surprised to find what looked like 6.0mm cooker cable forming a ring, when I removed the faceplate from a socket behind the bed it was one cable which looked like 2.5mm. An access panel to the side of the bed revealed the 6.0mm cable with a spur off to the socket. I never got any further than this as my girlfriend was by then throwing a complete tantrum that we was supposed to be on holiday and this would probably explain why I am still single to this very day. :tearsofjoy:

So I was wondering why in the UK we run ring mains? I mean even if we run a ring (2x2.5mm) and then spurred off to each socket this would save a considerable amount of cable and running 2 cables in the wall, though this might not be viable in kitchens. Again I'm just wondering why and have only once come across an old 6.0mm cooker cable in a kitchen that was redundant and used as a kitchen ring in the UK, a ring main (2 x 2.5mm cables) had been attached to it (and no, I didn't do it, it was existing)


Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Some holiday then? you sound like a friend of mine completely obsessed with electrics, how did you manage to get the tools through customs??
 
You must have missed this thread:
www.electriciansforums.net

Why does the UK use rings for sockets? > on Free Electrical Advice - Electricians Forums

Find Why does the UK use rings for sockets? Advice and Help. How-to Why does the UK use rings for sockets? in the Electrical Wiring, Theories and Regulations advice boards on Electricians Forums. Why does the UK use rings for sockets? on ElectriciansForums.net Electrical Advice Forum.
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Short answer to why the UK is the only one with ring final circuits is we are the only one with fused plugs. That makes the engineering trade off very different!
 
25 years ago a screwdriver and pliers were the first thing I packed in a suitcase, mainly cuz I didn't trust the safes so would dismantle things to hide cash in :tearsofjoy:

Like I said that's why I'm single now... Maybe the admin could attach a dating section somewhere here Lol

Thanks for the answers by the way, just looking at lollipop circuits as never heard of that one before!
 
static zap said:
Also look up lollipop circuits !
Click to expand...
A quick and dirty solution that has the worst of both worlds! LOL!

Seriously, unless the radial-to-ring joint is accessible and documented then you have a testing nightmare...
[automerge]1587760656[/automerge]
Just to emphasise it is not the concept of the lollipop circuit I dislike, as that is not really any different from having a sub-main to an out building's CU and then a ring for the sockets there.

No, it is the very high probability of being undocumented and hidden after it was done.
 
Last edited:
pc1966 said:
Just to emphasise it is not the concept of the lollipop circuit I dislike, as that is not really any different from having a sub-main to an out building's CU and then a ring for the sockets there.

No, it is the very high probability of being undocumented and hidden after it was done.
Click to expand...

The only time I think it is useful is when you need to install an isolator for all sockets in a room, such as a classroom or studio.
You can take a 4 or 6 to the isolator and then a ring from the load side.
 
It's also fairly commonly used in a kitchen where a redundant cooker point supply is used to supply an additional ring circuit. Seen that several times, but in preference with that scenario I'd prefer to extend in 4.0mm and create a 32a radial.
 
Pete999 said:
Some holiday then? you sound like a friend of mine completely obsessed with electrics, how did you manage to get the tools through customs??
Click to expand...
Can imagine you and you're GF relaxing on the beach, Her reading the latest fashion Mag and you with a pile of PE mags, rapture
 
Spoon said:
Once brought the OSG to read on a holiday.... Not sure if that is sad or not.
Click to expand...
Not as sad as this Guy checking the electrics when he is the bedroom with his GF, but still SAD Spoon, shame on you, lol:D
 
I feel the need to clear a couple of things up here... :tearsofjoy:

She was unpacking the suitcase, anybody that has been on holiday with a female will understand this one. Personally I wouldn't bother and just grab what I needed from the case (or tip the lot in the corner) but no, everything had to be either hung on rails, folded and put in a drawer, or examined again for marks and creases that might of happened during transit.
I would always carry at least 1k of Euros in cash, but didn't trust the safes in the room and felt uncomfortable carrying it around. So I would look for storage spaces. ie, Ceiling voids, floor panels, shower access etc etc.

Anyway, that's why I had the front of the consumer unit off at that one time and curiosity set in causing me to start removing the other socket and access panel. Ok my girlfriend might not of spoke to me for the rest of the day but 25 years later I've now learnt what a 'lolipop' circuit is so all has turned out well in the end.

Well nearly ok, women seem to give me a wide berth for some reason.. I went on a date last Summer and was looking around an old historical building, I noticed led bulbs in old style light fittings and happened to mention this to her every room we walked in to. Never saw her again :tearsofjoy:

I think I need to date a lady spark if I can find one!
 
only lady spark i ever met in person was a real Hitler in Knickers. 5 blokes left site due to her unreasoning demands. She expected everything on a plate and would have gone the sexual harrassment route if nobody obliged.
 
telectrix said:
only lady spark i ever met in person was a real Hitler in Knickers. 5 blokes left site due to her unreasoning demands. She expected everything on a plate and would have gone the sexual harrassment route if nobody obliged.
Click to expand...
Good job then Tel?
 
Don't get me wrong, I've got so used to my own company that I rarely ever fall out with myself these days.
Though (because of the lockdown) I've changed paths completely and am now bringing a redundant farm back to life. Lots of trial and error things going on at the moment but last week I have been playing with dung heaps seeing what elements produce the most heat, I have heaps everywhere made up of various animal sh*t and vegetation. As well as growing literally tonnes of veg, gathering livestock and setting Crayfish traps!
My aim is to end up with a compost heater for greenhouses through the winter, add a heat exchanger and some other gadgets and the power produced could be quite interesting, though I could find myself concreted into a motorway bridge if I become to successful :tearsofjoy:

In all honesty I doubt if there is a woman on the planet for me, I hate TV, I hate money and I hate routine. Plus I've been homeless for 20 years now so that's not exactly a dating quality Lol.

I grew up in a rich family, but I spent my life rebelling against it all. I mean I figured out at a very early age everything is all wrong. You're taught to walk and talk, once you've mastered that you're told to sit down and shut up, then rewarded at school for doing good, punished for asking questions and challenging anything. Leave school and same thing applies at work. Then one day you notice your boss with a brand new, top of the range BMW and you say 'nice car', and he replies, 'if you work twice as hard as you have this year and put in a bit more time and effort next year, then I will be able to buy a top of the range Mercedes'

Anyway if this thread has taught me anything, it has taught me about lolipop circuits, and the funny thing is when I went off to Google them, I did a full circle and ended up reading about them back here from a post in 2015. :tearsofjoy:
 
OnlQQker said:
Around 25 years ago I went to Spain with my girlfriend and stayed in an apartment, as she was unpacking the suitcase I decided to take the consumer unit face plate off and have a look. I was surprised to find what looked like 6.0mm cooker cable forming a ring, when I removed the faceplate from a socket behind the bed it was one cable which looked like 2.5mm. An access panel to the side of the bed revealed the 6.0mm cable with a spur off to the socket. I never got any further than this as my girlfriend was by then throwing a complete tantrum that we was supposed to be on holiday and this would probably explain why I am still single to this very day. :tearsofjoy:

So I was wondering why in the UK we run ring mains? I mean even if we run a ring (2x2.5mm) and then spurred off to each socket this would save a considerable amount of cable and running 2 cables in the wall, though this might not be viable in kitchens. Again I'm just wondering why and have only once come across an old 6.0mm cooker cable in a kitchen that was redundant and used as a kitchen ring in the UK, a ring main (2 x 2.5mm cables) had been attached to it (and no, I didn't do it, it was existing)


Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
"have only once come across an old 6.0mm cooker cable in a kitchen that was redundant and used as a kitchen ring in the UK, a ring main (2 x 2.5mm cables) had been attached to it (and no, I didn't do it, it was existing)"

Yes the lolipop circuit a.k.a the lassoo circuit. Not uncommon and if done right then it is ok. Just not a standard circuit as listed in the Big Bumper Book of Fun (BS 7671) or the OSG, but not wrong.
 

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