Altering ring topology

[cpvh]

Hi All,

In our kitchen we have the following.....

Double socket on ring above worktop to left of sink Spur off this socket to below worktop to run dish washer.

Double socket on ring to right of sink. Spur of this socket to below worktop to run washing machine.

I THINK the ring section between the two double sockets is just a continuous length of T&E.

So to my questions......

Would there be any merit in running a piece of T&E between the two spurs?

If so, is this topology allowed in the regs?

If not, is there any merit in running a piece of T&E between the spurs AND removing the existing T&E section between the double sockets, thus diverting the ring?

TIA

Chris

[John Rumm]

In the current setup there would be no advantage in doing this.

If however it was later changed to allow the below counter sockets to be remotely switched, then it would actually be dangerous to do so.

Its considered poor practice to have "loops" in a ring circuit. It confers no benefit, and also makes proper testing of the circuit more difficult.

Yup you could do that, although it would be change for changes sake.

I think my preferred option would be to add a couple of DP switches next to the sockets above the worktop, and feed the below counter sockets from those. That way you have a means of isolating the appliance without needing to pull them out to get at its socket. (depending on where those sockets are obviously)

[cpvh]

Hi John,

Thanks for that, I will avoid loops. There are actually isolating switches (in the ?sink unit? rather than above worktop).

Cheers

Chris

[John Rumm]

Basically you just need to make sure that if you switch something off in one place, it can't be made live by by any other means.

[Paul Welsh]

My Kitchen was designed this way. Above counter switch to below counter socket for fridge, freezer, etc.

I suppose it is slightly useful when defrosting but less useful when the freezer is unintentionally switched off, which has happened on multiple occasions. On balance I would prefer not to have the switches. If they are H&S deemed necessary I would prefer to have them somewhere slightly less accessible.

[John Rumm]

There is no requirement that they are remotely switched switched, but it is handy when your tumble drier catches fire etc. Using switches that have neon indicators and are clearly labelled also helps. (as does spacing them away from adjacent sockets a bit)

[ARW]

They are not H&S necessary. Having switches above the worktop is just one of those thing that amateurs and architects dream up as they are unable to read and understand the regs.

[Steve Walker]

You could fit lift-up safety covers.

SteveW

[Dave Plowman (News)]

True. Never did understand why some do this. If the idea is to be able to switch off an appliance easily in event of say a fire, you might as well just switch off at the CU.

[Jane]

Trouble with doing it in the CU is that it isnt easy to know which one to switch off and not a great idea to switch everything off if you want to do something about the fire before the house burns down, particularly at night.