Ring Circuits

[Northumbrian]

If a lighting circuit is totally interrupted to fit a new ceiling rose, should this interfere with outlets on one side of the circuit?

[Alston]

I must admit to failing to understand your question.

Are you thinking that perhaps a 'Ring Circuit' has two separate sides.

If you completely switch off power to any circuit for undertaking a repair then all outlets on that circuit will be out of action.

Al.

[Northumbrian]

I understand that, but this is the situation that puzzles me. A toilet upstairs virtually in the middle of the house. To the front - 3 bedrooms; to the rear a bathroom and a bedroom. The rose in the toilet has been removed and the wires are loose. When the current was switched on, power returned to the 3 bedrooms at the front but there was no power to the bathroom and rear bedroom lights. Has the total disconnection in the toilet light caused a break in the circuit and will it be remedied when the toilet ceiling rose is replaced ? Thank you.

[Alston]

I can only assume that a whomsoever removed the 'Rose' in the toilet has isolated the circuit on which there is also a bedroom and bathroom and that your other 3 bedrooms are on an entirely different circuit. Hopefully the person concerned knows exactly what they are doing and everything will be back in order when the toilet light is fully repaired.

Al.

[The Builder]

Yes, you've temporarily broken the circuit, Northumbrian
Lighting isn't on a ring circuit. It's a looped radial circuit. Which simply means that power flows from the Consumer Unit to a ceiling rose somewhere. From there, the circuit is "looped on" to the next ceiling rose....... then the next etc etc until it gets to the last rose.

You've simply broken the loop. When the new rose goes on, continuity will be regained.

[Alston]

@The Builder.......Thanks for having explained what I was trying to illustrate with my limited knowledge.

Al.

[The Builder]

Cheers Al :o)

[Northumbrian]

My sincere thanks to you both. That's put my mind at rest. I had a complete rewire 8 years ago but there was no mention of a looped radial circuit, so I'm doubly grateful.