What's a 'ring circuit'?

[archerj]

And how do I tell whether a double socket is on one? I've been advised that I can plug the cooker into the same double socket as the washing machine (without needing to install a cooker point) IF they are on a ring circuit. Yes well...that's helpful. Give me a clue what I'm looking for!

 

[AnonymousImport]

OK - a ring circuit, or ring main, is where several sockets are connected in a ring as follows: the ring starts at the consumer unit - then goes to socket 1, socket 2, etc and finally goes back to the consumer unit again.

You can usually tell if a socket is on a ring by disconnecting it, separating both live wires (brown or red) and checking if they are both live when the circuit breaker is on. Use a good meter as a phase tester is not reliable. If they are then it's a ring main. If there is only one set of cables it is not a ring. However, only do this if you are very comfortable working with a live supply, and be careful.

Anyway, whoever told you you can plug a cooker into a 13A socket? Any standard cooker will draw much more than this.

If in any doubt about this get professional advice from a registered electrician.