Argument need settling regarding CU Swop

[axel132132]

So been working for a mate of mine for a while now and just had a query today..

I changing a consumer unit, and I told him I need an Adaptable box, some din rail and some din rail connectors to joint out the cables as they will be too small. He said just crimp them inside consumer unit.

Is this acceptable? Can you just put the cables into the consumer unit, then CRIMP them INSIDE! The new consumer unit and into the breakers? OR do you HAVE! to do it the way i suggested by taking them into a separate box, din rail connecting them and then taking them into new CU?

Bearing in mind he is using this job for NICEIC inspection!

 

[londonlec]

Perfectly fine either way. I use your mates method, cos its cheaper ;-)
(tinhat)

 

[beaver74]

crimps int the board are fine.you will find it hard to put an adaptible box above a consumer unit below the ceiling

 

[Octopus]

If you were moving the CU a distance, then clearly your "suggestion" is ideal. If however you have a few cables, a few inches short, then crimps are fine, as long as they are within the CU, IMHO

 

[Guest55]

crimps in CU is fine.
oops , looks like your mate won the arguement lol.
:-D

 

[old dog]

Crimps for me cheaper and needs less space .

 

[vaughant]

Do it right and solder/heat shrink them in.
I reckon the inspector would be well impressed although I think I've probably just opened a huge can of worms!!!

 

[axel132132]

God damn him! HA yeah i thought it was Ok in CU as there enclosed just didnt know if NIC would be happy with that lol

 

[ackbarthestar]

Just to reiterate what Beaver74 inferred. If you can get an adaptable box above the CU, then why not move the CU upwards ? That should give you the cable length required. Although, i suspect, There is a perfectly valid reason why it cannot be moved....

 

[Rampage]

Out of interest why didn't you think crimping would be acceptable?

 

[Jonny66]

I prefer the adaptable box method rather than crimping (unless of course its only 1 or 2 cables), as loads of crimps inside a CU gets a bit messy IMO. The adaptable box also comes in handy for the million or so different stickers/labels that have to adorn CUs these days - more space to stick the carp.

It shouldn't really matter whether it's for an NICEIC inspection or not, as long as its done correctly. Having said that though, the NICEIC will probably want you to use special NICEIC logo'd crimps that have a picture of Tony Cable in a gimps outfit on them, and when they have the correct pressure applied they let out an "OOOOH, thats nice" sort of noise. They probably sell these for £5 each and call them "Tony Cable Gimp Crimps":smilielol5:

 

[wade88]

Brilliant Jonny

 

[SPARTYKUS]

I squeezed his hand once, it never made that noise

 

[wade88]

its not his hand you squeeze mate

 

[axel132132]

Out of interest why didn't you think crimping would be acceptable?

Just because some of the crimps you can get are crappy and come loose didn't know if they were good for inside CU