Argument need settling regarding CU Swop

[Geordie Spark]

Not sure how many electricians these day's, would even have the inclination for solder jointing. But Yes, this type of CU joint would be even neater than a crimped joint as well as being classified as permanent joint!!

Well it's the way me Dad taught me. He wasn't a spark as such - he was a Time Served Fitter & Turner, but was called-up during the war & joined REME, so maybe that's where he learned it. He didn't use heat shrink though, just that cloth tape that was soaked in tarry stuff that sparkies used to use.

 

[telectrix]

problem with soldering in a plastic CU is that the blowlamp will probably melt the plastic.

 

[Geordie Spark]

problem with soldering in a plastic CU is that the blowlamp will probably melt the plastic.

Aye ... and if it's Durhamspark on the other end of the blowlamp the whole hoose gans up in flames.

But me, I'm very delicate - I kid you not; I can solder a fitting onto a 15mm pipe right next to a skirting board & not scorch the paint.

 

[ruston]

problem with soldering in a plastic CU is that the blowlamp will probably melt the plastic.

yes but that sorts the colour harmonization out, saves on sleeving.

 

[ruston]

Aye ... and if it's Durhamspark on the other end of the blowlamp the whole hoose gans up in flames.

But me, I'm very delicate - I kid you not; I can solder a fitting onto a 15mm pipe right next to a skirting board & not scorch the paint.

About that carpet Geordie , when are you...............................................

 

[tidyboiler]

But me, I'm very delicate -

And he makes all his own blouses. :laugh:

 

[Geordie Spark]

And he makes all his own blouses. :laugh:

Yes pet ...... thanks pet :32:

 

[jase]

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....

Or a length of maxi trunking say 100X50,above the board and the same width as the board, and do all the thro crimping in there

 

[jase]

Whilst on the subject of what is and isnt allowed in a distribution board, can anyone tell me why "they" dont allow you to use cable ties in boards anymore??? apparently so im told, i always used to tie my cables into bunchs when making off 3ph boards but apparently this is unaccetable now, anyone know why???

View attachment 14424

 

[telectrix]

maybe it's because you are bunching the cables tightly together and thus reducing the CCC. also, if 1 cable were to overheat due to a fault, then the heat will be detrimental to other cables in the loom.

 

[snowhead]

Whilst on the subject of what is and isnt allowed in a distribution board, can anyone tell me why "they" dont allow you to use cable ties in boards anymore??? apparently so im told, i always used to tie my cables into bunchs when making off 3ph boards but apparently this is unaccetable now, anyone know why???

View attachment 14424

Who are "They".

It may just be a Customer spec you have to comply with.

As above it must alter the CCC, but there are Billions of tie wrapped cables around.

 

[baldelectrician]

I also use push fit wagos to extend cables inside consumer units - I prefer them as you can see the cable is correctly seated inside the wago- you can't see inside a normal crimp

 

[Engineer54]

I also use push fit wagos to extend cables inside consumer units - I prefer them as you can see the cable is correctly seated inside the wago- you can't see inside a normal crimp

Nothing against wago's being used as connectors in a CU, just that it doesn't look very professional to see a load of connectors in the CU enclosure when the cover is removed.... I dont really like to see the PVC insulated in-line crimps either, i prefer the heat shrink insulated crimps, (or the plain in-line crimps with colour mached heat shrink tube) where the heat shrink insulation moulds around the joint much more uniformally....

 

[Rockingit]

Talking about soldering earlier..... isn't there a danger that for those less experienced who were never taught to solder properly that you end up with a dry jointed connection, or, if they don't understand about the different methods then you can get issues with low-temperature solder joints melting under fault conditions?

My preference is crimping, and I've often done exactly as per Jase's picture, although the odd Wago buried in a corner of a domestic box isn't that big a deal. I'm finding it harder and harder to make domestic boxes neat and tidy these days just due to the amount of circuits, especially on new builds.

 

[Engineer54]

Talking about soldering earlier..... isn't there a danger that for those less experienced who were never taught to solder properly that you end up with a dry jointed connection, or, if they don't understand about the different methods then you can get issues with low-temperature solder joints melting under fault conditions?

My preference is crimping, and I've often done exactly as per Jase's picture, although the odd Wago buried in a corner of a domestic box isn't that big a deal. I'm finding it harder and harder to make domestic boxes neat and tidy these days just due to the amount of circuits, especially on new builds.

Another reason why you wont find many of the newer electricians using solder joints, ...They have never been taught to solder, ...properly or otherwise!! Even those that have, would consider it too much of a hassle these days!! ...lol!!