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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Thumbs up Ring Mains Wiring !

    Hi Guys,

    Having read the threads below, the question does pop into my head, Do you use "ring main" wiring systems in AU ?
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2000
    Location
    Perth
    Posts
    34

    Default

    No not like you do in blighty!
    Also no fuses in our standard 3 pin plugs either.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    1,322

    Default

    As mentioned, we don't, but I do like to talk about running ring mains and using wire nuts when winding up Australian sparkies on forums who are convinced we're all doing illegal DIY wiring.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Thanks Guys,

    It is interesting learning about the different systems and practices in different parts of the world. I didn't know about the lack of fused plugs for instance.

    As far as wiring nuts is concerned, I thought that they were discontinued years ago !

    NOTE: For some reason I can no longer activate any of the "likes, thanks or pictures" at the moment. Sorry !
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Location
    ACT
    Age
    84
    Posts
    268

    Default

    Hi,
    Yes most Australian sparkies get a shocked look when someone who has worked with such things describe it to them.
    The Australian wiring regs specifically ban ring mains and fuses in plug tops.
    Regards
    Hugh

    Enough is enough, more than enough is too much.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Hi Guys,

    Having read the threads below, the question does pop into my head, Do you use "ring main" wiring systems in AU ?
    No they are specifically banned. Testing their correct operation is a bit more complex. Our licence holders can't keep up with the safety record of NZ DIYers so it would probably be unwise to introduce more complexity into their lives.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
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    6,439

    Default

    Hi Guys,

    I'm somewhat surprised by that ! Ring mains have been the standard here for years now. Even so the regs specify the maximum number of 13 amp outlets you can put on a ring of a particular size core.

    As far as I'm aware the ring main was introduced just after the war, because of the shortage of copper, and as time progressed became single copper cores rather than the multiple strand core of the previous domestic wiring. Higher capacity cables still use multiple strands.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    near Rockhampton
    Posts
    6,216

    Default

    Is the main point of the "ring" method that the electrical force has the opportunity to get to the GPO via two different paths?

    what happens if you get a conductor breakage. Then wouldn't it potentially overload the cable as the electrical force can not longer travel both ways to the GPO?
    Gold, the colour of choice for the discerning person.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by .RC. View Post
    Is the main point of the "ring" method that the electrical force has the opportunity to get to the GPO via two different paths?

    what happens if you get a conductor breakage. Then wouldn't it potentially overload the cable as the electrical force can not longer travel both ways to the GPO?
    It has two main points. One is the higher current capacity for a given size of wire (given any allowances for type of enclosure) because you have two paths for the current. The other is that is the earth also is connected twice so a break in the earth affects less of the circuit.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by lamestllama View Post
    it has two main points. One is the higher current capacity for a given size of wire (given any allowances for type of enclosure) because you have two paths for the current. The other is that is the earth also is connected twice so a break in the earth affects less of the circuit.
    Spot on. Right on both counts.

    Not forgetting the additional protection of fuses in the plug. These have a maximum rating of 13 Amps and whilst there are larger capacity fuses, they are also physically much larger and will not fit into the plug top. These fuses are usually sold in packs of five or ten with ratings from 3 Amps, 5 Amps, 10 Amps and 13 Amps.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
    Location
    Adelaide
    Posts
    837

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Spot on. Right on both counts.

    Not forgetting the additional protection of fuses in the plug. These have a maximum rating of 13 Amps and whilst there are larger capacity fuses, they are also physically much larger and will not fit into the plug top. These fuses are usually sold in packs of five or ten with ratings from 3 Amps, 5 Amps, 10 Amps and 13 Amps.
    Not to forget the shutters in the socket operated by the longer earth pin that stop people sticking stuff into the live contacts without really really trying.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2017
    Location
    Geelong, Australia
    Age
    57
    Posts
    2,651

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    Quote Originally Posted by BaronJ View Post
    Thanks Guys,
    <snip>

    NOTE: For some reason I can no longer activate any of the "likes, thanks or pictures" at the moment. Sorry !
    Apparently its a bug since the upgrade on 13th - the admin has it on the todo list.
    //metalworkforums.com/f36/t2028...um-update-post

    Steve

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Location
    York, North Yorkshire UK
    Posts
    6,439

    Default

    Hi Steve,

    Thank you for that information ! I did think it was a Firefox bug following an update to it on my machine. When I click any of the four items the bottom of the page just blanks and I get a "JavaScript" failure message.
    Best Regards:
    Baron J.

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    Mackay North Qld
    Posts
    6,446

    Default

    ADDED BY ADMIN

    DISCLAIMER

    No liability is accepted by The Senior Administrator or the Metal Work Forum's moderators
    for advice offered by members posting replies
    or asking questions regarding electrical work.
    We strongly advise contacting a Licensed Tradesperson for all electrical work.

    WARNING

    Information supplied within posts is not to be considered as detailed formal instructions to complete a task.
    Members following such information do so at their own risk

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Apr 2019
    Location
    Queensland
    Posts
    12

    Default Why

    The ring circuit was introduced in to the UK during the war to save copper. Each outlet is fed via two cables of half the size. The cable is protected but an overload device matched to the two cables in parallel. It's not a good system. One issue is a break in one cable can allow an overload in the other. However, this isn't as bad as it sounds when you understand how cable current ratings are calculated ( as every electrician should!).

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