If cooker and plug points have their own switches on electricity box, does that indicate they have their own ring main?

Cooker circuits are normally wired as a "Radial" circuit and not a ring. It is normal to have the cooker circuit on its own fuse or circuit breaker, so its very likely that its separate from the sockets. The only way to confirm it really is to carry out a test on each circuit to see what it supplies.

Hi, Quick answer is no, the MCB's (switches) in the consumer unit (electricity box) do not let you know how the circuits have been wired. To answer the main reason for asking..... you do not need a new ring main when installing a new kitchen, the electrician can break into the existing ring....that is of course if you have a ring main already in the kitchen. There may be other reasons why a new ring circuit is needed.... your house wiring may be so bad that the electrician will only vouch for the new circuit, if he uses an existing circuit he has to make sure that the entire circuit is fit for purpose and safe....sometimes it is easier and cheaper just to add a new circuit.

It indicates that there is a circuit provided within the kitchen area for the cooker and sockets - it doesn't indicate if they are wired correctly or the socket circuit is a complete ring circuit. What has the kitchen fitting company recommended?

Good Evening. Firstly may I suggest you get an electrician round to inspect and issue advice. This should be free of charge. If the cooker has its own switch (MCB) back at the consumer unit, it would imply it has its own circuit. This is what we call a radial circuit and not a ring main. If the sockets in the kitchen have their own switch (MCB) back at the consumer unit, it would imply it has its own circuit which is likely to be a ring main. If the switch for the sockets is rated at either 30 or 32 amps, it would suggest they are on a ring main. I hope this makes sense. If in doubt I suggest you ask for a local electrician to attend and offer some advice. Many Thanks Phillip Hague (Hague Electrix Ltd)

You should find that a cooker point should always have its own circuit. And that your kitchen sockets will be on the circuit with the ring main. If you are having a new kitchen fitted, the kitchen sockets must have its own circuit. So.....in your consumer unit you would have for example: Cooker, ring main, kitchen ring main. Hope this helps Mark Watson Watson Electrical