Socket-outlets situated off the main route of the cable do not have to be connected to the actual ring cable. Instead they are usually supplied from spur cables branching off the ring. These spurs are wired in the same size cable as that used for the ring.
Fixed appliances which may be connected to a ring circuit include skirting heaters, wall heaters, small water heaters and any non-portable electrical appliances having individual loadings of not more than 3000 W(13 A approx.). Read the rest of this entry »
A radial power circuit is the name given to a circuit supplying a number of 13 A socket-outlets and fixed appliances using one cable which is not wired in the form of a ring but terminates at the last outlet.
The permitted number of socket-outlets (and fixed appliances) depends on the current rating of the circuit which can be either 20 A, wired in 2.5 mm2 cable, or 30 A wired in 4 mm2 cable. The number of socket-outlets and fixed appliances which can be served by a 20 A radial circuit depends also on the location of the circuit and whether the outlets are confined to one room. Read the rest of this entry »
Electric heating of water can be carried out in a variety of ways. These include small capacity heaters fitted above the sink, instantaneous sink heaters or immersion heaters in the hot water tank.
Small storage water heaters fitted over the sink or washbasin having capacities of up to about 3 gallons and electrical loadings of 1 to 3 kW are usually supplied from the ring circuit by means of a spur. Except in a bathroom, the outlet can be a fused plug and switched socket-outlet, preferably with neon indicator. Read the rest of this entry »
If only one appliance suddenly stops working and there were no flames, sparks or big bangs to indicate that it was a malfunction in the appliance itself, unplug it and try it in a different socket. If it is still not working, check the cord’s connection with the plug, as well as the appliance, If one of the connections seems loose or frail, unplug the appliance and try to repair the connection. You will either have to unscrew the plug, or dissemble the appliance to get to the cord connection. Read the rest of this entry »
Have you ever used an electrical lawn-mower, or seen someone use it? Enough said. Cords on appliances also fray and sometimes a loose connection is the simple result of wear and tear. So somewhere along the line you may have to repair the wiring of an appliance or replace a plug that is no longer working. Read the rest of this entry »
Joint boxes are usually circular and for part of the circuit wiring. They are fix permanently to the house structure are used principally in lighting circuits. Join boxes are available in 4- 5- and 6-terminal versions.
A 3-terminal joint box of 30 A current rating is used for ring circuits to connect spur cables to the ring cable, as shown the illustration. Read the rest of this entry »
A fused clock connector is a small non- switched fused outlet designed expressly for supplying a mains electric clock.
The unit is in two sections: a fixed base which is connected to the fixed circuit wiring, and another section in.the form of a flat pin plug which plugs into sockets in the base. The plug section carries the flex of the clock and contains the fuse. The plug is secured in the base by a retaining screw. This prevents the plug being pulled out accidentally and stopping the clock. Read the rest of this entry »
Always switch off the control before cleaning a cooker even if it is not being mantled.
Do not let metal cooking foil come o contact with spiral type elements. Take care if the cooker is mounted on eels and likely to be interfered with by youngsters.
Never leave fat in a pan unattended on hotplate and take care with the position handles of vessels containing boiling liquid in the presence of children.
Do not attempt to remove pieces of broken toast from a toaster using a knife other metal object. Pull out the plug tore releasing the obstruction. Read the rest of this entry »
Do not fit a high wattage bulb into a shade or fitting designed for bulbs of lower ratings. Some shades give the maximum wattage but if there is no indication, restrict the wattage to 60 W or preferably 40 W. Otherwise overheating may occur and the shade material either melt or ignite. Damage can also be done to the fixed wiring by transference of heat through the lamp- holders; this is particularly the case if it is a close ceiling fitting. Damage can also be done to the flex, if pendant and the flex is not of the heat-resisting type. Read the rest of this entry »
Take particular care in the bathroom where special regulations apply.
Do not install a socket-outlet in the bathroom other than an approved shaver supply unit for a mains voltage shaver.
Do not make provision for using a mains voltage portable appliance. For example do not run a portable electric heater from a socket-outlet situated outside the bathroom i.e. on the landing or in an adjacent bedroom. If the tank cupboard opens into the bathroom and the tank has an immersion heater do not supply it from a socket-outlet (not a good method in any case) which could be used for plugging in a portable appliance. Read the rest of this entry »
