Why Bother

Craigie · Apr 28, 2011

Went to a house today that had a CU change, occupier said their landlord had done the CU change to get registered with NICEIC on inspection the cables obviously didn't reach the new CU so they were extended with connectors wrapped in tape. I called LABC they said not our problem contact NIC did that they said installation met their requirements no further action unless occupier makes a formal complaint. What is it all about?

telectrix · Apr 28, 2011

just goes to show, all niceic want is your money.

topquark · Apr 28, 2011

Take a resistance reading across the join (at a known length) and see if it's a "sound" connection. Tables for resistance per lenth of csa in OSG. Not a good place for dodgy joints!

nikmet · Apr 28, 2011

telectrix said:
just goes to show, all niceic want is your money.

I agree, its a pity they don't seem interested to investigate complaints / tip offs, after all the whole system/schemes are supposed to be about ensuring better practice and safety !!

morph · Apr 28, 2011

may or may not be a problem....if caables are too short they need joining somehow, i would nt get excited by this if the joins are good , the tape may look a bodge but if crimped for example then taped and all in the c/u what is the issue

Marvo · Apr 28, 2011

Craigie said:
....they were extended with connectors wrapped in tape.

What type of connectors did they use?

Where I am it's considered okay to extend wiring using ferrules and heat shrink. Using tape would be a bit rough though unless it was self amalgamating.

morph · Apr 28, 2011

insulated crimps with a bit of teddy bear tape is fine ( teddy bear tape = insulation tape put on to make you feel better)

the tape is not needed but some people put a bit on, it looks a bodge you take it off and the join is fine .

Farmelectrics · Apr 29, 2011

i agree it looks a bit rough id use through crimps myself but as one of my old --- hole foreman wonce said if you couldnt use them they wouldnt make them

Hawk81 · Apr 29, 2011

I take it these connectors and joints are not within an enclosure. So therefore the cables are not double insulated at the point of the joint. There has been alot of talk of what is bad practice and this has to be classed as bad practice. for me I would make sure all joints are in a suitable enclosure/joint box. Typical NICIEC not to care seen this too many times.

Bradzz · Apr 29, 2011

Hi did he use these

or these

as the first ones are a no no as they can work loose, or you can over tighten screws and brake cable or weaken the holding and the second are a yes yes as they are mechanically sound once crimped.

mogga · Apr 29, 2011

they arent a NONO bradz but not prefered option due to working loose and possibilty of breaking cables but used correctly they are fine

Bradzz · Apr 29, 2011

I thought you could not use them to extend wires in a DB, as the rating is say for a 6 amp braker the blocks are rated at 5 amp under rated, same with 16 amp brakers and 15 amp strips and the other things i pointed out, maybe ive was given incorrect infomation, always happy to be put right.

RWJ · Apr 29, 2011

farmelectrics said:
if you couldnt use them they wouldnt make them

Good theory... Until you start talking about wire nuts and the like

Mr Mike · Apr 29, 2011

Bradzz said:
I thought you could not use them to extend wires in a DB, as the rating is say for a 6 amp braker the blocks are rated at 5 amp under rated, same with 16 amp brakers and 15 amp strips and the other things i pointed out, maybe ive was given incorrect infomation, always happy to be put right.

Personnally I would not like to see a choc bloc in a db, a through crimp is the job if the cable needs extending.

IQ Electrical · Apr 29, 2011

Mr Mike said:
Personnally I would not like to see a choc bloc in a db, a through crimp is the job if the cable needs extending.

I agree, not my method of choice but if these connections are inside the consumer unit and are mechanically sound and of the appropriate rating then what is the problem?

If the lid is only removable by a key or tool then you could technically even omit the tape!

Why Bother

Craigie

telectrix

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topquark

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nikmet

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morph

Marvo

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morph

Farmelectrics

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Hawk81

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Bradzz

mogga

Bradzz

RWJ

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Mr Mike

IQ Electrical

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