light terminations

cprfenom · Dec 15, 2015

Evening.

Has it ever been permitted to use choc block wrapped in insulation tape as an means of termination?

If not why is it so damn common!

Regards

telectrix · Dec 15, 2015

any connections in a void should be enclosed in a suitable enclosure with cables secured for strain relief, and outer sheath inside the enclosure. sticky tape is not, IMO, a suitable enclosure. it's commonly found though where diy dave or sparks on a horse has struck.

cprfenom · Dec 15, 2015

telectrix said:
any connections in a void should be enclosed in a suitable enclosure with cables secured for strain relief, and outer sheath inside the enclosure. sticky tape is not, IMO, a suitable enclosure. it's commonly found though where diy dave or sparks on a horse has struck.

Thanks. I've have seen so many of late I was beginning to think that perhaps it was permitted in the past!

Enjoy your night Tel

Risteard · Dec 15, 2015

cprfenom said:
Has it ever been permitted to use choc block wrapped in insulation tape as an means of termination?

If it's properly enclosed then it's fine. If it's not enclosed then it isn't acceptable.

amlu · Dec 15, 2015

cprfenom said:
If not why is it so damn common!

Regards

is common because there used to be no better way of doing it, especially with modern lights. No way to terminate 3 cables into them. Now we have neutrals in the switches and wago style connections, no need for connector block and tape anymore.

happysteve · Dec 15, 2015

Prior to Amd 3, 134.1.1 said, "Electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment." Often, the manufacturer states a connector block wrapped in insulation tape as the method of termination, e.g.:

[ElectriciansForums.net] light terminations

Since Amd 3, this has changed to: "The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers' instructions." This gives the installer more leeway: if a method described by BS7671 offers greater protection for safety than the manufacturer's instructions, then the installer may be minded to use a different method, using their experience and professional judgement.

I have myself wrapped insulation tape around a connector block for a light fitting. It was for an outside light, it was within the structure of the outside light, in a part that was meant to be sealed to IP44. I didn't rate the quality of the seal, so in this case I did wrap the connectors with a couple of layers of insulation tape, hopefully to inhibit corrosion. I also attached a printed label to the cable that simply said, "134.1.1"

Dave OCD · Dec 15, 2015

Can everyone say with 100% honesty that they've NEVER popped a terminal block up through a small hole in the ceiling within the base area of a light fitting when it's a floor above and it's impossible to terminate all the cables at the fitting ? I'm admitting to nothing. :wings:

happysteve · Dec 15, 2015

Dave OCD said:
Can everyone say with 100% honesty that they've NEVER popped a terminal block up through a small hole in the ceiling within the base area of a light fitting when it's a floor above and it's impossible to terminate all the cables at the fitting ? I'm admitting to nothing. :wings:

Perhaps on a lath and plaster ceiling, which already has existing cracks in the plaster? :lipsrsealed2:

Marvo · Dec 15, 2015

happysteve said:
Prior to Amd 3, 134.1.1 said, "Electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment." Often, the manufacturer states a connector block wrapped in insulation tape as the method of termination, e.g.:

View attachment 30948

Since Amd 3, this has changed to: "The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers' instructions." This gives the installer more leeway: if a method described by BS7671 offers greater protection for safety than the manufacturer's instructions, then the installer may be minded to use a different method, using their experience and professional judgement.

I have myself wrapped insulation tape around a connector block for a light fitting. It was for an outside light, it was within the structure of the outside light, in a part that was meant to be sealed to IP44. I didn't rate the quality of the seal, so in this case I did wrap the connectors with a couple of layers of insulation tape, hopefully to inhibit corrosion. I also attached a printed label to the cable that simply said, "134.1.1"

I can't believe they even give specific instructions how the tape should be applied........impressive

Blademan_98 · Dec 16, 2015

Terminal blocks and electrical tape

buy in bulk and save a few quid lol:2guns:

DPG · Dec 17, 2015

Risteard said:
If it's properly enclosed then it's fine. If it's not enclosed then it isn't acceptable.

????? Daz

Alex Ramage · Dec 17, 2015

Wago lite box and connectors. TVM

Risteard · Dec 17, 2015

DPG said:
????? Daz

I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with using block connectors (taped if you like) within an enclosure.

You can't use them outside of an enclosure, e.g. in the roof space unenclosed.

DPG · Dec 17, 2015

Risteard said:
I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with using block connectors (taped if you like) within an enclosure.

You can't use them outside of an enclosure, e.g. in the roof space unenclosed.

Must admit I did think you were saying it was OK if they were in the space above, ie. counting that as being 'enclosed'. Sorry. Daz

7029 dave · Dec 17, 2015

If the choc block is within the light fitting, not pushed up into the ceiling void, I don't see any problems, after all they used to be supplied with all the fittings I used to put up.