Hello all
another question:
I have located a cable under my floorboards which I *think* is the ring main, the cable is definately the right size anyway. I want to cut this and insert a junction box and then run a socket from it. I want to be sure that what I'm cutting is the actual ring main before I break into it, any ideas how I can easily do this apart from tracing the cable to see where it goes?
TIA
Cheers
Richard
Get yourself a volt stick, check it bleeps before you turn off the breaker for the ring main, check it doesn't bleep when you have turned off the relevant breaker, then check again that it bleeps when you turn the breaker back on. If you have adjustable sensitivity on it, set it right to the minimum before carrying out these tests.
Alternatively, turn off the breaker for the ring main, get a heavily insulated pair of cutters, place against cable, shut eyes, pray, hope, and cut ;-) (Don't really do this!!!!!)
On 15 Feb 2005 11:12:13 -0800, snipped-for-privacy@btinternet.com (Richard) strung together this:
Buy a volt stick, a decent one, Fluke or MK or similarly branded.
Observe usual testing safety precautions.
Turn off all circuits, except the ring main. If the cable under the floor that you found is still live, it's the ring, if it's dead, it's not.
You will also want to check that it is actually part of the ring, and not a spur from the ring before connecting anything to it. To do this you'll have to cut it and test it.
A cheaper way is to turn of all power at the CU, cut the cable and make it off into a JB, repower the installation and test as above but with a multimeter at the junction box. If it's on the ring, add the new cable to it, if it's not, put the lid on and find the ring.
Repeat as neccesary.
"Lurch" wrote | You will also want to check that it is actually part of the ring, and | not a spur from the ring before connecting anything to it. To do this | you'll have to cut it and test it. | A cheaper way is to turn of all power at the CU, cut the cable and | make it off into a JB, repower the installation and test as above but | with a multimeter at the junction box. If it's on the ring, add the | new cable to it, if it's not, put the lid on and find the ring.
I think a slightly clearer way of putting that is "cut the cable and make it off into a separate junction box for each end (or a 4-terminal with the two lives separated, N and E), turn back on. If both ends are live it's on the ring, if one end is live and one dead that is the supply and load side of a spur"
Owain
yep - especially if you have an RCD - switching off the LIVE isn't enough !
cool, thanks.
Once you have satisfied yourself that you have found the right cable, do not cut it.
Connection boxes for ring mains have just three connections, remove the outside covering from the cable just enough to be able to seperate each wire, being careful not to cut the insulation on each cable, at least not yet.
Lay the cable across the junction box so you can see where the connections will be, carefully strip a small section of the insulation on each wire just where it will be pushed into the connectors.
Strip the ends of your extension and put each wire into the connector with right coloured wire already in, tighten the screws, put the lid back on, job done,
HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.