A fused spur is a device used to ensure isolation from your main electricity supply. They directly link an electrical cable to a high-voltage appliance, so they eliminate the need for a plug and socket. You can put either a 3, 5 or 13 amp fuse in the fuse holder depending on the power consumption of the appliance you are protecting.
What is a spur cable?
Spur is a short branch of cable from existing ring main circuit. The branch can stem from an existing electrical device or from a junction box as pictured above. Every unfused spur can only supply one socket or connection unit.
How do I connect a spur to an existing circuit?
The spur must be connected to the existing circuit using the same cable as used in the main circuit. You can see how to wire a spur to an existing socket from the images below.
Can you wire a spur off a spur?
The original problem of spur off a spur is code 2. No question. If it was protected by an fcu at the point of connection into the ring then no problem. You could even wire it in 1.5 and have loads of them if you so wish!
What is a fused spur switch?
They directly link an electrical cable to a high-voltage appliance, so they eliminate the need for a plug and socket. You can put either a 3, 5 or 13 amp fuse in the fuse holder depending on the power consumption of the appliance you are protecting. Fused spurs are also called fused spur switches or, fused connection units.
What is a spur in electrical terms?
Spur - An electrical supply using one feed cable to a socket taken off a ring main usually used to achieve an extra socket without having to do too much work. See also Fused Spur.
How do I know if a socket is a spur?
4:296:23How to Identify a Spur from a Ring Final Socket Circuit | Electrical TestingYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd if you get a series of rising. Values. Then it's possible you've got a spur off a spur off aMoreAnd if you get a series of rising. Values. Then it's possible you've got a spur off a spur off a spur.
How many sockets can you have on a spur?
one spurHow Many Sockets Can Be on a Spur? Only one spur can be connected to a single socket.
How does an electrical spur work?
How Does a Fused Spur Work? A fused spur is used as an alternative to a plug and socket. Due to this, they can allow the higher voltage appliance to operate on a single cable outside of the ring main. Also because they use a fuse, they protect against shocks in the event of an excessive current.
Is it OK to spur off a spur?
The reason for not running two spurs from the same spur "point" is that it can lead to possible overloads in that one leg of the final can become unbalanced and exceed the max.
How do you remove a spur from an electrical socket?
2:317:07Spur from ring circuit How to make a spur socket outlet from RFCYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you link it together with the same wire 2.52 in and out. So how to do it you just need to openMoreSo you link it together with the same wire 2.52 in and out. So how to do it you just need to open the existing socket outlet unscrew obviously all of the wires. And add the third cable to the socket.
Can I run 2 double sockets on a spur?
Yes you can add as many sockets as you want. Its a standard radial circuit. 16A or 20A wired in 2.5mm2 T&E. The confusion arises out of ring circuits and spurs.
Does a spur need to be fused?
As we have stated, you can only wire a single spur socket from an existing socket or junction box, however if you need to add more sockets then you will first need to install a fused connection unit or FCU.
Is it OK to spur off a socket?
The easiest way of connecting into a ring circuit is to run a spur cable from the terminals of an existing socket – but you can't connect it to any socket. The IEE Wiring Regulations are very specific about this. You mustn't run a spur from a socket that's already on a spur, or that already supplies a spur.
How do you install an electrical spur?
1:1910:13How to wire a spur socket to ring circuit. Add a spur socket to ring main.YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe need to locate the existing ring circuit cable which is usually found under the floorboards or inMoreWe need to locate the existing ring circuit cable which is usually found under the floorboards or in the ceiling. We split it in two we then add one single additional length of cable here.
What appliances need a fused spur?
Fused spurs are commonly used as an alternative to a conventional socket, for the installation of powerful electrical appliances that can be installed without a plug, such as ovens, washing machines, electric heaters, dishwashers, fridges, and so on.
Can I replace a fused spur with a socket?
There is no problem removing 13amp fused spurs and replacing with socket outlets. You just need to ensure that those circuits (fuses/mcb's) are backed up by a 30ma RCD as they will now be used to supply mobile equipment rather than fixed.
Can you put a double socket on a spur?
If the circuit is a ring circuit then an unfused spur can supply a maximum of one single or one double socket.
How do I know if I have a radial circuit?
4:0610:13RING and RADIAL CIRCUITS. WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLook at these two examples of a radial circuit. The top one is protected by a 20 amp breaker. AndMoreLook at these two examples of a radial circuit. The top one is protected by a 20 amp breaker. And uses 2.5 millimeter cable the bottom circuit has a 32 amp breaker.
How many Spurs are on a ring main?
Answered by Rupert, Electrical Safety Expert You can have one unfused spur per socket-outlet on a ring main or one fused spur per socket-outlet, you can have as many sockets as you like off of a fused spur.
How can you tell if two sockets are on the same ring main?
Plug the lamp into another outlet to determine whether or not that outlet is on the same circuit. If the lamp lights with the breaker still off, then the outlet is on a different circuit.
What is a Fused Spur?
A fused spur is a device used to ensure isolation from your main electricity supply. They directly link an electrical cable to a high-voltage appli...
How does a Fused Spur work?
A fused spur is used as an alternative to a plug and socket. Due to this, they can allow the higher voltage appliance to operate on a single cable...
What are the Different Types of Fused Spurs?
There are four common types of fused spurs such as; Switch Fused Spur, Non-Switch Fused Spur, Single Pole Fused Spur and a Double Pole Fused Spur.
Can you bury cables in the wall?
If you bury cables in the wall they must only run vertically, not horizontally. Cables may be placed in floor or ceiling voids but not amidst, or wrapped in, insulation where they may become too hot. Please also check the rules very carefully for ring mains and radial circuits.
Can you spur a socket if there are 3 cables?
If there are 3 cables coming out of any socket then it is not ok to spur.
Can a spur be connected to a socket?
A spur can be connected to an existing socket, on either a ring main or a radial circuit , providing that socket does not already have a spur. That is only one spur per socket is allowed and the number of spurs must not exceed the number of sockets. If this is necessary in any part of your home the only way you can do this is by adding another ring ...
Can a 30 amp junction box be used on a ring?
The wiring for a junction box can be seen here. Junction boxes come rated for different uses by the amps they are allowed to carry. A 30amp junction box should be used on a ring or radial circuit feeding sockets only. The junction box must be fixed solidly to a suitable surface and must not just "float around suspended by the cables it joins.
Can you spur a ring main?
A general rule for a ring main is that if you only have two cables in the back of an existing socket then it is ok to spur. However, if you have a radial circuit with two cables coming in and out, this may be the last socket on that circuit and already has a spur.
What is spur cable?
Spur from existing socket outlet. A single cable is added from the new socket, and connects to an existing socket on the ring. A spur can alternatively be connected at the consumer unit, which although might seem incorrect, is actually no different to connecting to an existing socket outlet.
How many cables are in a spur socket?
The spur socket only has a single cable, with the connections to Live, Neutral and Earth. This is exactly the same as connecting at the end of a radial circuit. The other end of the cable connects to a socket on the ring, so there will be three cables in that socket.
Why is it so hard to connect two wires?
Trying to connect two or more is not only very difficult due to the number of wires involved, it can also result in an abnormally high load at that point in the ring. The number of spurs on the ring must not exceed the number of other socket outlets. If for some reason you need a large number of spurs, it is time to replace ...
Is brown wire neutral?
As before, Brown is Live, Blue is Neutral and the Earth wire is bare copper with a green/yellow sleeve. Make sure that all three wires are secured in each terminal, and avoid damaging the wires when replacing the socket.
Can you connect a single outlet to a spur?
Only one socket outlet can be connected to a spur. (This can be a single or double outlet). Connecting a further outlet is NOT permitted, as this could overload the single cable supplying it.
What is a fuse spur?
A fused spur provides protection for a branch wire off a main circuit. This branch is commonly a lower amperage circuit and thus requires its own fuse to protect the lower-gauge wires. This arrangement is commonly used in the United Kingdom and may not meet local building codes in North America.
How to tighten a fused spur?
Wrap the black branch wire around the fused spur's live out (L OUT) terminal and tighten it down.
ploughman
After reading information concerning the above I find the subject rather confusing.
PrenticeBoyofDerry
Most of your circuits will be radial circuits, they have no return legs and the conductors will stop at the extreme point of the circuit.
rjm2k
What's probably happened is that the house has been (at least partially) rewired by a numpty who thought that lighting circuits had to be rings, and you should start to question what other numptyisms he's bequeathed to you.
ban-all-sheds
Given that the whole point of a ring was to be cheaper by saving on copper, what is the actual harm in using a ring for lighting?
EFLImpudence
Assuming it's the physical layout, rings would have spurs and radials have branches, but it's different terms for the same arrangement isn't it?
ban-all-sheds
So radials never branch off, they just consist of the radial, and then at some point begins a whole load of spurs?
EFLImpudence
but as the recent discussion showed, it's felt that spur ought to refer to something subordinate.
Where do UK home wiring circuits begin?
This is an overview of a typical UK home wiring. All circuits begin from the consumer unit.
What is the colour of the UK electrical wiring?
The colour coding for current wiring standard is highlighted above. Brown for Live, Blue for Neutral and Green/Yellow for Earth. This colour coding is implemented in 2006 Amendment 2 of 17th Edition BS7671 to harmonise the UK & Europe wiring colours to maintain consistency & avoid confusion.
Why are circuit breaker labels important?
Every circuit breaker is then labelled carefully so that the circuits can be identified and isolated when work needs to be done on them.
What is a radial circuit?
Radial Circuit. Radial circuit is a single cable run from a consumer unit circuit breaker to a number of electrical devices and terminates at the last device. The current rating of a radial circuit limits the area the circuit can supply.
How does a ring main circuit work?
Ring main circuit starts from the consumer unit, connects to a number of electrical devices (typically sockets) and then returns to the consumer unit. Electrical current can flow from either end of the ring. This increases the current carrying capacity without increasing the wiring size.
What is bonding in electrical?
Bonding is a connection of all metal components to the earth circuit. Taking the image above as an example, if you were to touch the faulty cooker and then touch a metal tap in your kitchen, you would be the earth path and could receive a potentially life threatening electric shock.
How long does a wiring last?
To ensure safety, it is important to make sure the wiring is in good condition. The average lifespan for wiring is around 30-40 years and the condition deteriorates over time. Some properties in UK are currently still using wiring with old colour coding.
