Ideal twist connectors

[stan794]

Any of you guys using the Twist connectors from Ideal?
On a recent Kitchen refurb/extension my spark used them on the lighting circuit and LABC are moaning saying they are prone to causing electrical fires. I must admit I prefer wagos myself but these twisters are to BS7671 so why are they moaning... ****ers

 

[7029 dave]

The only twist connectors I know of, were the old dog cocks. (porcelain type affair) lol.

 

[worzol99]

They sell them in neweys

 

[ChrisElectrical88]

Watched the link, my thoughts: crap!

 

[markc123]

Same here.

I'd rather use a chock-block than them lol. Wago's all the way!

 

[Aindowsimon]

You mention chock block . the ones that are brass within , and I'm not saying all of them I'm experiencing a lot of them splitting recently a nuisance somthing I notice on a few existing installations to we're they have broken anyone else experiencing this . I'm now getting connectors with the innerds made of steel takes a few more cores to double thumbs up

 

[stan794]

Below is the reply from Ideal that I received after asking their tech department..


It is unfortunate that you have had issues with your local inspector because we worked closely with bodies such as the Electrical Safety Council and NICEIC well before putting these connectors onto the UK market. Both organisations fully evaluated these products and I can categorically state that the NICEIC (if that is who you are referring to) from a head office perspective have no issues with IDEAL's twist-on wire connectors. However, individual inspectors may harbour their own prejudices and these can usually be overcome by demonstrating the product to them and proving compliance to BS 7671. Loosening of the connector is unlikely to happen (assuming the connector is applied to the wires correctly in the first place) due to the conical shaped spring inside that grips the wires tightly.

I have attached a Q&A sheet that was produced to specifically address any questions an electrician or inspector may have, so it may be worth showing this to the person concerned.
Failing that, if you provide the name of the individual and the name of the registered body that they work for, we can take this matter up with them directly.

Rest assured that there are many electricians using IDEAL Twist-On wire connectors in the UK without any problems, but in this case it looks like we have a local inspector that is making up his own rules.

 

[overskilled]

Yess electrical have them as do neweys, edmunsons I think also.
UL stamped (US approval), look crap and don't trust them at all....though looks like the profit margin is nice and fat on them so of course stores stock them......I'm guessing its to capitalise on the whole US TV thing.....
Used them when living in canada...not too bad, but impossible to split cores for testing...
Converted another spark from chocblocks to wagos the other day, landlord got him in to check the house wiring to convince the DNO the issues were on their side (having 2 separate sparks sign off the house wiring convinced them finally), he hadn't seem them before, bit dubious to start with but after using them...he was sold on them and was going to ask his boss to order some as a time saver...
Wire nuts...yuck!

 

[paul wild]

Wago for me

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Converted a spark off choc blocks.... So will he never use another CU?

thats all they are. A giant choc block!

 

[overskilled]

Spartykus: Very droll mate.
To clarify: In terms of using within enclosures, looped in back boxes etc...

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Fair point... Sorry beers talking....

 

[overskilled]

Its alright mate, I was in the military so I'm used to "witty" comments ;-)
I'm drinking rum at the moment...trying to kill the pain in my shoulder...

 

[HandySparks]

You mention chock block . the ones that are brass within , and I'm not saying all of them I'm experiencing a lot of them splitting recently a nuisance somthing I notice on a few existing installations to we're they have broken anyone else experiencing this . I'm now getting connectors with the innerds made of steel takes a few more cores to double thumbs up

Yes, come across several incorporated in downlights. Do them up snugly and they either split or strip the thread. I guess they're making them thin to save pennies on brass.

 

[SPARTYKUS]

Its alright mate, I was in the military so I'm used to "witty" comments ;-)
I'm drinking rum at the moment...trying to kill the pain in my shoulder...

rum? So you were in the Navy.....

whats with the shoulder

- - - Updated - - -

Yes, come across several incorporated in downlights. Do them up snugly and they either split or strip the thread. I guess they're making them thin to save pennies on brass.

Yes noticed this too.

 

[overskilled]

rum? So you were in the Navy.....

whats with the shoulder

Actually I was...Weapons Engineering Officer...
I stretched, it made a loud cracking/popping sound, couple of hours later started to really hurt and been hurting like mad since.