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Radial Circuit for sockets and lights and in general

Former Community Member
Former Community Member
I was interested in gaining a better understanding of what is and isn’t allowed here in the UK under radial circuits. Specifically, if one wanted to add Schuko or Type F (or French variant of Type E) of plugs into the mix.

  I understand that we can have a radial circuit with a 20amp MCB, but most here advise to install a 16amp MCB.

I saw the posts by some advising that you can install European standards in a home as they can be invoking ‘invoke directive HD384’.

While I appreciate, we do things differently I wondered why no one (if it is allowed or not) then installs a small circuit with plugs and lights on the same circuit as opposed to separating each lighting and socket.  Is this at all possible?

Personally, I did install a couple of Type E plugs from Schneider (not the German ones ) as I have some German friends who come and for the same reason the previous posts mention they are better than travel adapters (and they also allow me to use the steam cleaner we obtained from Germany without changing the plug).  They are on a solitary 20amp MCB in a small radial but themselves.  I did use NYM-J 2,5x3 also http://www.batt.co.uk/upload/files/nym-j_1432822108.pdf


https://www.legrandgroup.com/sites/default/files/Documents_PDF_Legrand/Nos_solutions/Guide_International_standards_EN.pdf


Parents
  • 0
    Ah yes, but it's not how we do things here; and we never wanted to be in your club; and now we aren't, so we'll keep doing it the BRITISH way. ?


    Regarding lights and sockets on the same circuit: it's six and two threes. OK something in your sitting room socket trips and you have to fumble your way to the door in the pitch black ('cos even all those little standby LEDs have gone out) but your hall lights are still on; or is it better that all the lights have gone out downstairs including where other people may be.


    I shall never understand some people's mentality. Step-daughter's new house has some sort of pump for aerating the sewage tank. It's German so it came with a Schuko plug. I advised against changing it for fear of invalidating the warranty and offered to fit a Schuko socket in the adjacent potting shed where the CU is situated. This thing is intended to be permanently connected and there are two further 13 A sockets for rechargeable garden tools, so the socket has no other purpose. In order to avoid "nuisance tripping"* it always was going to be on its own circuit (B6 i.a.w. manufacturer's instructions) and there are still spare ways in the CU. But oh no! Hubby just wouldn't have it. He had paid for an adaptor and he was bl**dy well going to have it.


    Sorry to be so anecdotal, but that's the mentality. ?


    P.S. The adapter looks horrid.


    *"nuisance tripping" seems to be a euphemism  for bad design.
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  • 0
    Ah yes, but it's not how we do things here; and we never wanted to be in your club; and now we aren't, so we'll keep doing it the BRITISH way. ?


    Regarding lights and sockets on the same circuit: it's six and two threes. OK something in your sitting room socket trips and you have to fumble your way to the door in the pitch black ('cos even all those little standby LEDs have gone out) but your hall lights are still on; or is it better that all the lights have gone out downstairs including where other people may be.


    I shall never understand some people's mentality. Step-daughter's new house has some sort of pump for aerating the sewage tank. It's German so it came with a Schuko plug. I advised against changing it for fear of invalidating the warranty and offered to fit a Schuko socket in the adjacent potting shed where the CU is situated. This thing is intended to be permanently connected and there are two further 13 A sockets for rechargeable garden tools, so the socket has no other purpose. In order to avoid "nuisance tripping"* it always was going to be on its own circuit (B6 i.a.w. manufacturer's instructions) and there are still spare ways in the CU. But oh no! Hubby just wouldn't have it. He had paid for an adaptor and he was bl**dy well going to have it.


    Sorry to be so anecdotal, but that's the mentality. ?


    P.S. The adapter looks horrid.


    *"nuisance tripping" seems to be a euphemism  for bad design.
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