Loop in with junction boxes

[Gra426]

Hi,

Just a quick question regarding lighting circuits. I believe some people are wiring loop in circuits with junction boxes in the void rather than terminating at the lamp fitting. Seems a pretty good idea with regards to less connections at the light fitting. However my understanding of the current regs is that all screwed terminations should be available for inspection which strictly speaking they would not be if in the void. Can anybody please clear this up for me?

Thanks in advance.
Gra.

 

[Octopus]

Surely they would be accessible if the JB was under a floor board. Inaccessible would mean somewhere it can not be got at. It depends whether there is a way to get to the JB. Always always loops to lamp or switches for me. JB wiring is donkeys years old and very unpractical.

Accessible does not, IMHO, mean under floorboards. Accessible means you can get to it easily without use of tools, so it should be on "show" or behind a freely opening door.

 

[Gra426]

Fair point Davey if all is neatly terminated.

 

[Engineer54]

Can look busy yes but neat if terminated logically. Just did a 4G 2 way with strappers, lights and loop - in one box.

I read this as crammed full, but neatly dressed!! Busy, would be somewhat of an understatement is this configuration!!! lol!!

 

[RISElectrical]

I still use the 20a Ashley type biscuit JBs for downlights etc, loop the T&E to each JB, bit of HR flex to fitting. Leave the JB long enough to pull through the downlight hole and jobs a good un.

Maybe it takes a little longer but my background is in commercial where restaurants would have 100 downlights and when 1 needs changing its a right pain when they have been wired direct to the fitting and looped in and out. 1 JB per fitting all the way for me.

 

[highspark]

Accessible does not, IMHO, mean under floorboards. Accessible means you can get to it easily without use of tools, so it should be on "show" or behind a freely opening door.

Personally I'd beg to differ. Should the writers of the regulations have meant behind a freely opening door or easy to get to without use of tools they would have wrote that. Although what you say sounds how it should be. Under a floor board is still accessible. So you haven't deviated away from the regs at all because it is readily available and accessible. So although I think your principle is right I think in regards to the actual reg in question and its interpretation youa re wrong. My opinion but would stand a good argument in a court of law.

 

[telectrix]

good point, highspark. it can be argued that by lifting a section of floor, the JB is accessible, not like if it's plastered in a wall. problem arises if customer then fits laminated flooring or even ceramic tiles, maybe UFH. not accessible then, IMO.

 

[sedgy34]

Personally I'd beg to differ. Should the writers of the regulations have meant behind a freely opening door or easy to get to without use of tools they would have wrote that. Although what you say sounds how it should be. Under a floor board is still accessible. So you haven't deviated away from the regs at all because it is readily available and accessible. So although I think your principle is right I think in regards to the actual reg in question and its interpretation youa re wrong. My opinion but would stand a good argument in a court of law.

interpretation is the magic word no one wanting to take responsibility

 

[highspark]

Can't argue with that telectrix. But still a good argument if there was no laminate or ceramics fitted at the time of installtion. You therefore haven't deviated away from the regs.

 

[DaveyD]

I read this as crammed full, but neatly dressed!! Busy, would be somewhat of an understatement is this configuration!!! lol!!

2G 47mm box and Crabtree plate. Using wago's for the neutrals and cpc's. They take so much less room than screw terminals and tuck nicely out of the way; easy - more room than my 16th edition CU at home

 

[LineProducts]

I agree with the principal but what about cable restraints?

I still use the 20a Ashley type biscuit JBs for downlights etc, loop the T&E to each JB, bit of HR flex to fitting. Leave the JB long enough to pull through the downlight hole and jobs a good un.

Maybe it takes a little longer but my background is in commercial where restaurants would have 100 downlights and when 1 needs changing its a right pain when they have been wired direct to the fitting and looped in and out. 1 JB per fitting all the way for me.

 

[Octopus]

Personally I'd beg to differ. Should the writers of the regulations have meant behind a freely opening door or easy to get to without use of tools they would have wrote that. Although what you say sounds how it should be. Under a floor board is still accessible. So you haven't deviated away from the regs at all because it is readily available and accessible. So although I think your principle is right I think in regards to the actual reg in question and its interpretation youa re wrong. My opinion but would stand a good argument in a court of law.

Personally I'd like to see the next update of the regs reviewed, and rewritten by the Plain English Society - that would help remove loads of the ambiguity