The power points in an electrical installation are called socket outlets. These socket outlets commonly called plug points are wired in two ways. These are the ring circuit wiring and the radial circuit wiring.
Ring Circuit Wiring
A ring circuit commences from the consumer unit or distribution board through an MCB or fuse of specific rating usually 30 Amps and loops into each socket outlet and returns to the same MCB or fuse in the consumer unit or distribution board. Looping of the ring circuit wires must be done for the live conductor, neutral conductor and the protective conductor in separate rings. The ring method of connection is done only for the 13 Amps socket outlets, as the individual 13Amps plugs are separately having fuses. A ring circuit may have an unlimited number of socket outlets provided that the floor area served by the ring does not exceed 100 square meters and that the maximum demand of the circuit does not exceed the MCB or fuse rating. A kitchen should usually have a separate ring circuit.
Radial Circuit Wiring
A Radial circuit commences from the consumer unit/distribution board through an MCB/fuse of specific rating e.g. 20Amps, loops into each socket outlet but ends at a socket outlet and does not return to the original fuse/MCB at the consumer unit or distribution board.
