Junction Boxes

[ITRIM]

I'm extending my kitchen which requires me to cut into the downstairs ringmain for further extension for more sockets. Is it safe and legal to use a 30AMP junction box (it's not possible for me to continue from an existing socket) to start the ringmain extension and loop back into using a junction box - or should I use crimps? The joins will be hidden in the ceiling void. Thanks Rich.

 

[telectrix]

nick, i hope you are celebrating, mate. did you watch the match?

 

[telectrix]

Well my view is that anything fitted on top of the floorboards to make them inaccessible would in turn make the JB inaccessible. But if the floorboards are bare or only loosly carpeted over then that would make them perfectly accessible.

not disagreeing mate. was always acceptable to fit JBs under floors. but the IET somehow have to justify bringing out new regs. books for us to buy every few years.

 

[sjm]

That was my point. If the carpet is loose, I would argue that would make JB under the screwed square of floorboard accessible but if it was fitted, or if laminate was layed, in my opinion, that would make it inaccessible.

Isn't the definition of a loose carpet a RUG.
However the fact that the floorboards may very well be covered with a different covering at any point in the future, making JB inaccessible, must surely mean that all connections within ceiling voids must be of a permanent and maintainance free variety.

 

[Adam W]

So all JB's in ceiling voids are accessible if ONLY the people living in the house hadn't wanted that nasty floor covering stuff, lino, fitted carpet, laminate etc. Honestly inconsiderate buggers these customers/general public, lol.

The problem being that you have no control over what trendy floor covering the customer will opt for in the future - you could tell them the floor needs to be 'accessible' but the chances are your words will be forgotten after everything's been 'working fine for years' or the house has been sold.

 

[D Skelton]

not disagreeing mate. was always acceptable to fit JBs under floors. but the IET somehow have to justify bringing out new regs. books for us to buy every few years.

I know mate

The problem being that you have no control over what trendy floor covering the customer will opt for in the future - you could tell them the floor needs to be 'accessible' but the chances are your words will be forgotten after everything's been 'working fine for years' or the house has been sold.

Isn't the definition of a loose carpet a RUG.
However the fact that the floorboards may very well be covered with a different covering at any point in the future, making JB inaccessible, must surely mean that all connections within ceiling voids must be of a permanent and maintainance free variety.

Good points, hadn't really thought about that. Mind you, you can't make everything future proof can ya? As long as my work complies with regs at the time of install, I'm happy! Happy as a cowboy

 

[ipf]

I know it's not the point really, but there will be correctly fitted, 'unacceptable' jb's under floors and above ceilings for donkeys years to come. I wonder how many 'incidents' will occur as a result ? On the other hand, how many joints exist without any sort of jb. Regulations are there to be adhered to, yes, but once again mountains and molehills come to mind

 

[Guitarist]

Don't assume that all crimp connectors are suitable for solid-core cable, even with a proper ratchet tool. Most crimps are made to splay and crimp multistrand cable only. Always check the techspec before using them as a maintenance-free joint.

 

[telectrix]

Don't assume that all crimp connectors are suitable for solid-core cable, even with a proper ratchet tool. Most crimps are made to splay and crimp multistrand cable only. Always check the techspec before using them as a maintenance-free joint.

adamn good reason to ban the solid crap and go back to the old 7/029 = proper cable, that was.

 

[Dave 85]

Thanks for your emphatic replies. I am a diy'er however let me explain further. My extension has had to go through planning permission and consequently the BCO. I'm aware that a kitchen is considered a 'special location' and requires 'Notification'; so by the virtue of these control measures i will only get a qualified electrician to test, inspect and issue a certificate of compliance in accordance with current legal requirements. A friend, who is a time served, qualified electrician will issue the neccessary certificates, i am doing the chaising in and cable running and other associated labour intensive and cost increasing jobs, but i am not doing anything on a live circuit.

I asked the origional question out of general interest because firstly my mate is out the country at the minute and unavaiable and secondly because i know there is some widely opposing views on crimps and JBs and what is considered 'an accessable site for JBs. Cheers Rich.

It makes me laugh how a guy comes on here to ask a simple question, about work he's doing in his OWN house and the first four or five post are people just having a go at him and telling him he's going to kill everybody. As soon as he elaborates a bit you all suddenly see the error in your ways and start giving answers.
Talking of killing everybody, how many people die in accidents in the home each year? about 4000, and how many are killed by the fixed wiring in their home? about 15. Bit bloody dramatic no? A DIYer changing the brake pads on his car is more likely to cause a fatality.

Rant over.

 

[trev]

Talking of killing everybody, how many people die in accidents in the home each year? about 4000, and how many are killed by the fixed wiring in their home? about 15. Bit bloody dramatic no. A DIYer changing the brake pads on his car is more likely to cause a fatality.

Rant over.

I agree Dave but how many of those DIYers would be willing to not have their car serviced by a qualified mechanic on a regular basis or how many would service their own central heating system?
Electrics... Piece of cake
Discuss

 

[jase]

That was my point. If the carpet is loose, I would argue that would make JB under the screwed square of floorboard accessible but if it was fitted, or if laminate was layed, in my opinion, that would make it inaccessible.

Anything above the ceiling in my opinion is accesible- with the use of a padsaw, thats where the definitian becomes blurry, in what circumstances does it need to be accesible? even a floorboard with no covering ie carpet could be inaccesible with a built in wardrobe built over it!!

 

[Guitarist]

adamn good reason to ban the solid crap and go back to the old 7/029 = proper cable, that was.

Indeed telectrix. The modern solid-core isn't even in the same league. Give me a multistrand any day.

 

[jase]

Anyway, if the JB is inaccesible, then who is going to know its there??? so use what you bloody well want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Guitarist]

Accessible for maintenance has to be a common-sense thing. If you have to cut a hole in something to get to a connection then it's not accessible imo.

 

[jase]

The only junction boxes i have ever had to do "maintence" on were when the old lighting ciruits never had a cpc, and the were plenty of chases that needed to be done then o a few holes in the ceiling werent gonna make much difference