light terminations

[cprfenom]

Evening.

Has it ever been permitted to use choc block wrapped in insulation tape as an means of termination?

If not why is it so damn common!

Regards

 

[telectrix]

any connections in a void should be enclosed in a suitable enclosure with cables secured for strain relief, and outer sheath inside the enclosure. sticky tape is not, IMO, a suitable enclosure. it's commonly found though where diy dave or sparks on a horse has struck.

 

[cprfenom]

any connections in a void should be enclosed in a suitable enclosure with cables secured for strain relief, and outer sheath inside the enclosure. sticky tape is not, IMO, a suitable enclosure. it's commonly found though where diy dave or sparks on a horse has struck.

Thanks. I've have seen so many of late I was beginning to think that perhaps it was permitted in the past!

Enjoy your night Tel

 

[Risteard]

Has it ever been permitted to use choc block wrapped in insulation tape as an means of termination?

If it's properly enclosed then it's fine. If it's not enclosed then it isn't acceptable.

 

[amlu]

If not why is it so damn common!

Regards

is common because there used to be no better way of doing it, especially with modern lights. No way to terminate 3 cables into them. Now we have neutrals in the switches and wago style connections, no need for connector block and tape anymore.

 

[happysteve]

Prior to Amd 3, 134.1.1 said, "Electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment." Often, the manufacturer states a connector block wrapped in insulation tape as the method of termination, e.g.:



Since Amd 3, this has changed to: "The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers' instructions." This gives the installer more leeway: if a method described by BS7671 offers greater protection for safety than the manufacturer's instructions, then the installer may be minded to use a different method, using their experience and professional judgement.

I have myself wrapped insulation tape around a connector block for a light fitting. It was for an outside light, it was within the structure of the outside light, in a part that was meant to be sealed to IP44. I didn't rate the quality of the seal, so in this case I did wrap the connectors with a couple of layers of insulation tape, hopefully to inhibit corrosion. I also attached a printed label to the cable that simply said, "134.1.1"

 

[Dave OCD]

Can everyone say with 100% honesty that they've NEVER popped a terminal block up through a small hole in the ceiling within the base area of a light fitting when it's a floor above and it's impossible to terminate all the cables at the fitting ? I'm admitting to nothing. :wings:

 

[happysteve]

Can everyone say with 100% honesty that they've NEVER popped a terminal block up through a small hole in the ceiling within the base area of a light fitting when it's a floor above and it's impossible to terminate all the cables at the fitting ? I'm admitting to nothing. :wings:

Perhaps on a lath and plaster ceiling, which already has existing cracks in the plaster? :lipsrsealed2:

 

[Marvo]

Prior to Amd 3, 134.1.1 said, "Electrical equipment shall be installed in accordance with the instructions provided by the manufacturer of the equipment." Often, the manufacturer states a connector block wrapped in insulation tape as the method of termination, e.g.:

View attachment 30948

Since Amd 3, this has changed to: "The installation of electrical equipment shall take account of manufacturers' instructions." This gives the installer more leeway: if a method described by BS7671 offers greater protection for safety than the manufacturer's instructions, then the installer may be minded to use a different method, using their experience and professional judgement.

I have myself wrapped insulation tape around a connector block for a light fitting. It was for an outside light, it was within the structure of the outside light, in a part that was meant to be sealed to IP44. I didn't rate the quality of the seal, so in this case I did wrap the connectors with a couple of layers of insulation tape, hopefully to inhibit corrosion. I also attached a printed label to the cable that simply said, "134.1.1"

I can't believe they even give specific instructions how the tape should be applied........impressive

 

[Blademan_98]

Terminal blocks and electrical tape buy in bulk and save a few quid lol:2guns:

 

[DPG]

If it's properly enclosed then it's fine. If it's not enclosed then it isn't acceptable.

????? Daz

 

[Alex Ramage]

Wago lite box and connectors. TVM

 

[Risteard]

????? Daz

I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with using block connectors (taped if you like) within an enclosure.

You can't use them outside of an enclosure, e.g. in the roof space unenclosed.

 

[DPG]

I'm saying that there is nothing wrong with using block connectors (taped if you like) within an enclosure.

You can't use them outside of an enclosure, e.g. in the roof space unenclosed.

Must admit I did think you were saying it was OK if they were in the space above, ie. counting that as being 'enclosed'. Sorry. Daz

 

[7029 dave]

If the choc block is within the light fitting, not pushed up into the ceiling void, I don't see any problems, after all they used to be supplied with all the fittings I used to put up.