Radial and Ring circuits

different domestic wiring techniques

Radial circuit wiring

In a radial circuit power is transmitted from point to point by a single length of cable linking each point to the next. It starts at the main fuse
box and terminates at the last connected device. Intermediate junction boxes may connect individual sockets or chains of several sockets,
but there is never a loop wiring structure.
The radial circuit system is shown with old British BS 546 type sockets. However, any other type of socket can be applied. Worldwide,
radial wiring is by far the most commonly used technique.

Ring circuit wiring

A ring circuit provides two independent conductors for live, neutral and protective earth for each connected socket (see scheme above).
If the load is evenly split across the two directions the amperage in each direction is half of the total, allowing the use of wire with half the

current-carrying capacity.
The concept of ring circuit wiring was developed by the Electrical Installations Committee which was convened in 1942 as part of the PostWar Building Studies programme. Ring circuit wiring offered a more efficient and lower cost system which would safely support a greater
number of sockets. The lower costs aspect was related to fact that wires with a smaller diameter could be used, compared to radial wiring.
Shortly after World War II there was a considerable demand for building materials. Among other things, a limited availability of copper was
to be expected. However ring wiring was not driven by copper shortage.
From the late 1940s new houses and buildings were wired according to the ring technique. Gradually circuits in older houses were
rewired. By the end of the 1960s BS 1363 was the prevalent standard, but BS 546 has never fully disappeared.
Ring circuits provide low protection against overcurrents. Ring circuits usually supply a large number of sockets, and have to be
protected with high-rated overcurrent circuit breakers (typically 30 A). To minimize safety risks - ring circuits can deliver more current than
appliance flexible power cords can handle - each plug requires a fuse, rated to protect the flexible cord attached to the plug. Each
individual BS 1363 plug is fused with a BS 1362 25 mm ceramic cartridge fuse. Preferred ratings are 3A and 13A, but other ratings exists.
A detailed report about advantages, disadvantages and history of BS 1363 13A plugs and ring circuits, written by D.W.M. Latimer FIEE
can be downloaded from http://www.theiet.org/resources/wiring-regulations/ringcir.cfm?type=zip
Note that Ireland, which has radial circuit wiring rather than ring circuit, also uses BS 1363 plugs and sockets. Ireland has replaced the
previously existing mixture of Schuko and BS 546 for BS 1363 to eliminate incompatibilities between the Republic of Ireland and Northern
Ireland. Moreover, the change was an effective step in standardization of the system in Ireland. The Irish standards for devices
comparable with BS 1363 are IS 401 (13A plugs), IS 411 (switched and unswitched sockets) and IS 421 (adapters).
In addition to the UK and Ireland, BS 1363 plugs and sockets are used in quite a number of countries that were electrified by the British. It
is likely that most of them still have radial circuits wiring.