Do all stranded cables now have to be crimped ??

[ianphilip007]

hi there

been reading that all stranded cable terminations have to be crimped and that this is a reg, not sure as i cant find it. Is this just for fine stranded flex or does it apply to any cable that is stranded ?

at present when using single stranded cable i twist the strands of the single cable and terminate to switch/socket/light or MCB, should i be fitting bootlace crimps instead ?

 

[Adam W]

Yes, IMO ferrules should be used where you're otherwise relying on just a screw on the stranded wires; where there's a 'clamp-type' terminal there's no need because it constitutes a 'suitable terminal'.

In the real world not many people use them, maybe down to cost, laziness, (is 'ignorance' too harsh a word?); I've come accross 600x600 fittings where the manufacturers instructions have actually stipulated that terminations should be ferruled but still nobody seems to bother.

 

[truckster]

Seems unneccesary on 1.5 or 2.5 stranded, just give it a twist to tighten the strands and bend over itself, won't splay and fills the hole better.

 

[Marvo]

I’ve experienced problems in control panels where multiple bootlaces have been used in one clamp terminal

That's a good point, I agree that multiple bootlace ferrules in the same termination are a nightmare. The screw or clamp never grips both ferrules equally tight because of their rigid nature. With control wiring where there a few milliamps flowing it can be a problem but it would be a damn site worse with a load of 10 or 20 amps.