Cable Junction Under Floor Without Box

ej3108 · Apr 20, 2023

Hi,

Looking for more advice please. My electrician has spurred off a cable under flooring using what seem to be wago type connectors (push in, no screws). They are not enclosed in a box and the flooring is boarded and will be tiled over when refurbished. Is this acceptable by current regs or not? The floor is in a bathroom but not within any zone, in case that makes a difference.

Thanks

timhoward · Apr 20, 2023

No, that isn't ok. The connections need to be enclosed in a box that meets the criteria for maintenance free connections.
Wago sell an easy to use cheap box for that very purpose.

mainline · Apr 20, 2023

ej3108 said:
Hi,

Looking for more advice please. My electrician has spurred off a cable under flooring using what seem to be wago type connectors (push in, no screws). They are not enclosed in a box and the flooring is boarded and will be tiled over when refurbished. Is this acceptable by current regs or not? The floor is in a bathroom but not within any zone, in case that makes a difference.

Thanks

I would question the competency of anyone who would do such a thing.
Have you a picture?

DPG · Apr 20, 2023

Very shoddy. As above, send a photo. The connections need an enclosure to keep them safe and to provide support for the cables.

Lucien Nunes · Apr 20, 2023

Regardless of the location or type of terminals used, leaving them unenclosed has not been correct practice at any time in the last 100 years. As mentioned above, the cables need mechanical support so that no tension can be put on the connectors, and the basic insulation on the individual cores needs to be enclosed to protect it from damage or being touched. Those requirements have always been there and can be achieved will most kinds of junction box. Today, in addition, if the junction is not accessible for maintenance after the floor is laid, the completed assembly must meet the 'Maintenance Free' requirements of BS5733 which help to ensure that it will last the lifetime of the installation.

littlespark · Apr 20, 2023

If it’s wago connectors, it’s easy to add the wago box around it. Just clips around it.

If the cables and joint are laid out perfectly…. This job will take about 1.59 seconds to complete.

Dustydazzler · Apr 20, 2023

littlespark said:
If it’s wago connectors, it’s easy to add the wago box around it. Just clips around it.

If the cables and joint are laid out perfectly…. This job will take about 1.59 seconds to complete.

Very wishful thinking , I bet its a right old rats nest of connectors that needs trimming back properly before you can get it all into a wago box

IAmSparkytus! · Apr 20, 2023

littlespark said:
If it’s wago connectors, it’s easy to add the wago box around it. Just clips around it.

If the cables and joint are laid out perfectly…. This job will take about 1.59 seconds to complete.

Plus a few seconds for the cable tie! Plus an extra 10 seconds when you realise you’ve had the cable tie upside down and they don’t work like that so you’ve got to take it back out and put it in again…

ej3108 · Apr 20, 2023

So in summary I should ask for this to be rectified? There is no kind of connector that acceptably joins the wires outside of any box? Makes me wonder what else has been done wrong tbh.

timhoward · Apr 20, 2023

ej3108 said:
So in summary I should ask for this to be rectified?

Yes, but I fear anyone who'd be at peace doing that in the first place probably isn't the person you'd want to be rectifying it.

ipf · Apr 20, 2023

Whilst it may seem as if you're dictating to a qualified person, it's a pretty basic bit of shoddy work contravening BS 7671 Regulations and it needs rectification. You should also insist on a completion certificate, even if it is only a minor works one.

It's OK saying that it wont take much to put it right.......but it shouldn't need to be corrected. It could take a lot more time and money to sort out if it causes a problem in the future.

If he questions you're obtaining advice from others...... it was yourself who had the initial worries, so you're obviously not behind the door and had the common sense to doubt his work.

I really can't grasp why someone working as 'qualified' in our trade could be 'innocent' in the matter.
Mistakes are made in innocence not done intentionally. For a qualified electrician, this should not be regarded as a mistake.

ipf · Apr 20, 2023

Just be careful if the spark goes by the name 'littlespark'.........looking at his latest avatar

mainline · Apr 21, 2023

ej3108 said:
So in summary I should ask for this to be rectified? There is no kind of connector that acceptably joins the wires outside of any box? Makes me wonder what else has been done wrong tbh.

They could be crimped, but Mf junction box is easier.

littlespark · Apr 21, 2023

ipf said:
Just be careful if the spark goes by the name 'littlespark'.........looking at his latest avatar

That’s my new toolbox sticker…..

Wholly inappropriate for this situation.

My comments about “an easy fix” was more to imply to the OP that it’s not going to be a massive upheaval to sort this.
Not defending the spark in any way, but it might be the case of, he’s ran out of wago boxes, and he’ll sort it next visit….next visit didn’t come quick enough

Do we know if job finished?, circuit energised?
Joiner laid boards before spark returned?

Dustydazzler · Apr 21, 2023

Bet a Fiver it looks something like this...

timhoward · Apr 21, 2023

Dustydazzler said:
Bet a Fiver it looks something like this...

I was waiting for someone to refer to Delroy and the infamous line “There’s NO WAY a qualified electrician did that. NO WAY”

littlespark · Apr 21, 2023

Any excuse to post a Del video.

I swear they’re one in the same

Dusty dazzler and his superhero alter ego

ej3108 · Apr 21, 2023

littlespark said:
That’s my new toolbox sticker…..

Wholly inappropriate for this situation.

My comments about “an easy fix” was more to imply to the OP that it’s not going to be a massive upheaval to sort this.
Not defending the spark in any way, but it might be the case of, he’s ran out of wago boxes, and he’ll sort it next visit….next visit didn’t come quick enough

Do we know if job finished?, circuit energised?
Joiner laid boards before spark returned?

Yes the job is finished. The 'joiner' is me as it's a DIY project and I thought I was doing the sensible thing getting an electrician in for the electrics.

ipf · Apr 21, 2023

littlespark said:
That’s my new toolbox sticker…..

Wholly inappropriate for this situation.

My comments about “an easy fix” was more to imply to the OP that it’s not going to be a massive upheaval to sort this.
Not defending the spark in any way, but it might be the case of, he’s ran out of wago boxes, and he’ll sort it next visit….next visit didn’t come quick enough

Do we know if job finished?, circuit energised?
Joiner laid boards before spark returned?

What's up?
It was such an obvious effin joke pal.

Oh, I see the job was complete, by the way.

littlespark · Apr 21, 2023

ipf said:
What's up?
It was such an obvious effin joke pal.

Oh, I see the job was complete, by the way.

Crossed wires I think.

I knew it was a joke… my “inappropriate” remark was more what my sign says, rather than you bringing it up.

I really wish the smilie menu still worked… I sometimes forget to add them