A fuse for the downstairs plugs blew 2 days ago;replaced it and everything worked ok.
today the fuses for upstairs and downstairs plugs blew.Is 30A the proper size in the UK?

david, March 2008

Whilst I pretty much agree with Mike w says ......I too would say J is wrong. The question heading plainly says Ring Main so the answer is 30Amp (or 32amp)

A Radial ciicuit is indeed 20 Amp but they are the exception not the rule.

Steve

Steve, March 2008

Actually J is not wrong, its 20 amp for a radial power circuit (a single cable feed to a point), and 30 amp for a ring circuit (a loop from the consumer unit to the points, returning to the consumer unit). If you’re having fuses blow for no apparent reason you should defiantly call in a qualified and NICEIC approved electrician. The fact that you have fuses at all suggests that your electrical system is rather dated and could probably do with upgrading. Fuses in new installations have now been replaced by miniature circuit breakers (MCB's) and have a slightly higher current rating than their equivalent fuse type. A ring circuit MCB would be rated at 32 amp.

Regards
MikeW

MikeW, March 2008

J is wrong. (Not sure why people post if they don't know the correct answer.) The correct fuse for British Ring Main is 30A.

Having said that, what you have had happen is really odd. It takes a lot to take out a 30A fuse (a lot more than 30 amps). I suggest that you get an electrician in ASAP.

t, March 2008

20A for sockets.

J, March 2008