I have a socket at the top of my stairs which only has one cable into it. How do I find out if this is a spur off a ring main or if its the last socket on a radial main? The house is about 30 years old and a straight forward 3 bed semi on an estate. Is there anyway of finding out without having to lift the boards?
Radial-main, Ring-main or Spur?
Aug 11, 2005
8 Replies
Switch off the ring main at the Consumer Unit and see if the socket still works.
Cheers
Richard
How will that help?
If its a spur off the ring (which is off) it will be off If its the last on the ring it will be off
Check that the mcb has two (or more) wires to it. disconnect the live wires and check for continuity between them. If there is, (between 2 of them) it is most likely a ring.
Good point, sorry misunderstood question! more sleep less DIY............
If it was last on the ring circuit, it would have two cables into it, which it apparently doesn't.
Sorry my typo I mean last on a radial ring
Radial ring - sounds like a contradiction in terms even to a newbie like me!
Phil
OK brain is not quite working at the moment :) Spent too much time workin on getting my kitchen in
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