MICC Terminating

[Pete999]

Firstly it's been a while since I learnt all my MICC Terminating skills, and whilst loads of training establishments show trainees how to terminate MICC in a sterile location, i,e, at a vice on a work bench.

I was taught how to measure when and how to fit the gland and pot assembly by a very experienced ex Coal mine Electrician, when you have lots of ends to make off, with no room for getting, or hiding excess cable, when for example you are terminating lots of MICC cables of differing sizes into, say a distribution board, where the finished installation need to be clipped and dressed for ascetic reasons.

Is this still taught in trade schools? ( I do realise MICC is not used much these days) but the training Schools stiil seem to plug the terminating quite a lot, judging from the videos I have seen, is the dressing and termination a lost art? it's all well and good showing students how to terminate MICC in a sterile classroom but in the real world, many young and new Electricians and DIs will still struggle to make it look good and proffesional, if this is all they are trained on. discuss if you feel inclined.

 

[ferg]

I have terminated one end in the past 26 years.

I did a quite few before that.

IIRC it's not rocket science just something that is not done much any more.

I would think the training centres do it more for novelty value and to tick a box than anything else as like most things it has to be done repeatedly over time to get it to stick.

 

[pc1966]

I think the skill needed to terminate MICC is a factor in its decline. A shame really as when done properly it is practically immortal in use!

 

[R-fur]

I was taught how to dress it in when I was an apprentice in the 70s, only touched it a couple of times since then. The main time was in a bonded warehouse, dozens of bulkhead fittings wired in it, I sent a couple of days fault finding, loads of damp terminations.

 

[freddo]

I think the skill needed to terminate MICC is a factor in its decline. A shame really as when done properly it is practically immortal in use!

I know, it's infinite lifespan means it must work out to be an economical wiring system in the long run. Many miles of imperial MI installed working perfectly.

 

[pc1966]

I know, it's infinite lifespan means it must work out to be an economical wiring system in the long run. Many miles of imperial MI installed working perfectly.

Unfortunately those making the cost decisions are usually only looking at the next 3 months, not 30 years!

Or 300 years, as the Victorians seemed to...

 

[buzzlightyear]

Did one just before the lock down, lucky I had the tools the only thing was getting hold of the gear,rang round a few wholesalers have you got pots, is this for a kitchen. when the builders damage the micc. Most trainees don't even know how to do it never mind the shoe laces.

 

[davesparks]

I was taught as part of my apprenticeship how to terminate MICC and the basics of dressing it in.
It's a skill I still use regularly as a lot of the installations I work on have a lot of MICC in them.
However I've never terminated large numbers into a DB as Pete999 desribes, and I doubt I ever will get the opportunity to.

As a lot of my work with MICC is repairs or alterations to existing circuits I have developed my own methods of 'getting over it' when problems arise.

 

[Pauls0212]

got one to do and havn't got the tools, not going to get done as the tools are too expensive.
I love micc as its so reliable.

 

[KennyKen]

The last MICC I made off was about 10 years ago. It’s like riding a bike you’ll never forget the processes involved.

 

[littlespark]

I saw one of my old MICC tools rooting around in my dads garage last week... (socially distant, he was still in the house)
Maybe the other ones are there too... must have a hunt next time I’m ove

 

[buzzlightyear]

The last MICC I made off was about 10 years ago. It’s like riding a bike you’ll never forget the processes involved.

Untill the chain falls off, bloody hell my hands will be full of oil. Lol.

 

[ipf]

Tested this a while back. Not many cables and I wouldn't call the example perfect, by any means. Not my way, as a rule, but it's a simple 'aesthetic' method of multi terminating. Each gland via a 20mm coupling and bush.
I still carry my pyro tools in the van...not used for about 12 months, though. Some cable and plenty terms still in store.
Edit. Still a problem with the photos, I see.

 

[freddo]

Nice. (Except that white flex)

 

[cliffed]

I made 10 ends of the other week,specificed on job,cabling to socket outlets.
Takes about 20 minutes each end,& you can still cock it up.
One end tested a dead short between L & N ,you usually worry about L & E,found I put the cable splitter on wrong,the earth tail was not precisely in the middle when made off.
Still makes you shake,just like when you were a Apprentice.