Outdoor junction box for armoured cable

L

Lolopopo

-
Hello all,

Got a bit of a situation with my new garage, I've got a 2.5mm cable coming out of the house consumer unit for supplying mains to the garage, there is an armoured cable inside a conduit that goes underground and comes out in the garage. Inside the garage, it goes into its own consumer unit and the rest is good.

The problem I have is the junction outside the house where the 2.5mm meets the armoured cable, I can't find any glands or outdoor rated junction boxes to suit an armoured cable and 2.5mm.

This is how it looks at the moment, not ideal but stays dry with the lid on and I keep the supply off when not in use. It's a random metal box, not suited for this purpose, it has holes in it and doesn't have any ingress ratings.

IMG_20170620_203122.jpg

Please can someone recommend a junction box to suit both the armoured cable and 2.5mm or similar solution? Thanks!
 
Lolopopo said:
Hello all,

Got a bit of a situation with my new garage, I've got a 2.5mm cable coming out of the house consumer unit for supplying mains to the garage, there is an armoured cable inside a conduit that goes underground and comes out in the garage. Inside the garage, it goes into its own consumer unit and the rest is good.

The problem I have is the junction outside the house where the 2.5mm meets the armoured cable, I can't find any glands or outdoor rated junction boxes to suit an armoured cable and 2.5mm.

This is how it looks at the moment, not ideal but stays dry with the lid on and I keep the supply off when not in use. It's a random metal box, not suited for this purpose, it has holes in it and doesn't have any ingress ratings.

View attachment 36922

Please can someone recommend a junction box to suit both the armoured cable and 2.5mm or similar solution? Thanks!
Click to expand...
Just use a normal IP65 plastic adapt box and drill your 20mm holes to suit and fasten gland or copex with nut !!!!!!!
 
Definitely follow the advice above and get a suitable box mounted to the wall and sort those glads out, or failing that, get someone in who is competent to fix it.

Have you issued the spiders an eviction notice yet?
 
telectrix said:
IP65 adaptable box screwed to wall. any wholesaler will have them. if plastic you'll need banjos or pirhanna nuts and a fly lead to maintain the cpc.
Click to expand...
Indeed, the first thing I look for is a lack of earthing on the armour. The box itself doesnt even seem to be earthed:eek:
 
Thanks for all the replies. It's quite funny and I appreciate the concern and advice.

It was meant to be a temporary solution put in by myself but then I didn't find a suitable box in Wickes or Screwfix that would accept the armoured cable.

It is some kind of old box that housed a switch, definitely not water tight.

I will try to find an IP65 box that can be drilled out to size.

I am not an electrician but I am doing a masters in Electronic Engineering, admittedly specialising in embedded software. I also have a copy of the 17th edition BSI Wiring Standards somewhere but I haven't really read it. I don't need an electrician, I just can't find a box. The wiring in the garage is much better! I have emergency stop buttons for the sockets, LED lighting, and a PIR for the lights.
 
Lolopopo said:
Thanks for all the replies. It's quite funny and I appreciate the concern and advice.

It was meant to be a temporary solution put in by myself but then I didn't find a suitable box in Wickes or Screwfix that would accept the armoured cable.

It is some kind of old box that housed a switch, definitely not water tight.

I will try to find an IP65 box that can be drilled out to size.

I am not an electrician but I am doing a masters in Electronic Engineering, admittedly specialising in embedded software. I also have a copy of the 17th edition BSI Wiring Standards somewhere but I haven't really read it. I don't need an electrician, I just can't find a box. The wiring in the garage is much better! I have emergency stop buttons for the sockets, LED lighting, and a PIR for the lights.
Click to expand...

You do need an electrician, what you have done so far is dangerous and not acceptable even as a temporary measure. You haven't even managed to follow the accepted convention on core colours.
You won't find a box to accept the armoured cable, you have to match the correct glands up with a standard box of suitable IP rating. What type of glands are they at the moment? They look like they could be armoured cable glands but then one of the has T&E in it which makes no sense.

A masters in electronic engineering is pretty much irrelevant, it won't save your life if you were to receive an electric shock.
 
Lolopopo said:
Thanks for all the replies. It's quite funny and I appreciate the concern and advice.

It was meant to be a temporary solution put in by myself but then I didn't find a suitable box in Wickes or Screwfix that would accept the armoured cable.

It is some kind of old box that housed a switch, definitely not water tight.

I will try to find an IP65 box that can be drilled out to size.

I am not an electrician but I am doing a masters in Electronic Engineering, admittedly specialising in embedded software. I also have a copy of the 17th edition BSI Wiring Standards somewhere but I haven't really read it. I don't need an electrician, I just can't find a box. The wiring in the garage is much better! I have emergency stop buttons for the sockets, LED lighting, and a PIR for the lights.
Click to expand...

Thanks for that mate. It's made my day. Couldn't stop laughing.... :tearsofjoy::tearsofjoy:
 
choice is between phoning an electrician and phoning the Coo-op Funeral service. no brainer. electrician is far less cost. them gravediggers charge £500 for a wooden box that gets toasted.
 
OP - you obviously know this is not up to standard, hence why you posted looking for advice in the first place.

You've been advised by some very knowledgeable people that in its current situation the Junction box and associated wiring needs to be corrected by a competent person.

that isn't you.

Its not a cold water feed your working with. you wont get wet if (when) it goes wrong.

do the right thing and get it corrected.

You can sleep easy at night knowing its installed correctly and safely
 
Gaining an electronics degree is as much help as studying Cosmology when it concerns competence of the practical skill of an electrician

My opinion,even though you state "you don't need an electrician just a box"
Best get an electrician to clear up the mess, use the spare time for learning best practice before future electrical attempts
 
Lolopopo said:
The problem I have is the junction outside the house where the 2.5mm meets the armoured cable, I can't find any glands or outdoor rated junction boxes to suit an armoured cable and 2.5mm.
Click to expand...

I think your Problem is you've broken the Law.!

While BS7671 The electrical wiring regulations is a non statutory document, Part P of the building Regulation is a statutory requirement ! have you made notification to the local building control ?

Also were you planning on taking this dangerous installation out when you eventually sell the house or would you just leave it in for the next unsuspecting home owner?

Its is not safe and it could quite possibly be lethal, I really hope you don't have any small children running around the house.... no worth thinking about really.

Please get an electrician in to make it safe.
 
Come on people.... This has to be a wind up.....
I hope it is...
 
Upton Sparks said:
I think your Problem is you've broken the Law.!

While BS7671 The electrical wiring regulations is a non statutory document, Part P of the building Regulation is a statutory requirement ! have you made notification to the local building control ?

Also were you planning on taking this dangerous installation out when you eventually sell the house or would you just leave it in for the next unsuspecting home owner?

Its is not safe and it could quite possibly be lethal, I really hope you don't have any small children running around the house.... no worth thinking about really.

Please get an electrician in to make it safe.
Click to expand...

How do you know it needs to be notified?
 
Wow... Calm down guys, yes I sleep well at night because the box isn't live, I kill the supply when it's not in use as mentioned above. It was a temporary measure that I've only just got round to addressing.

I know my degree isn't wholly relevant, I was just giving some background, I'm not a DIYer who's gone too far, I've designed, tested, and had approved circuitry for safety systems and modules used in building management systems for a multi national company... With your recommendation I will find an appropriate box with glands and rectify the problem! I will take photos when I'm done.

As far as I know the council doesn't need to be notified because there was an existing garage with power, (you guys would've freaked out if you saw the wiring for that, but no photos sadly!).

Once the box is fitted it will be a massive improvement on what was already in place.
 
I like that High tower!... your right I don't know if it needs Notification as I've not done the a site survey, but its should be one of the first question you think off when working on outside electrics..... And there is the difference there, in your own home you can pretty much do what you like with impunity, but Part P is a Law and you can be prosecuted for non complying..... not that you would think that with the number of prosecution ...

Lolopopo.... if its temporary why don't you just run an extension lead out ?

http://www.screwfix.com/p/ip65-adap...gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIyB7aafz9QCFQoS0wodje8HxQ

you could use that box from screw a 20mm hole for the SWA and use a stuffing gland for the Twin and earth.... or buy an extension lead with an RCD plug.
 
Lolopopo said:
I know my degree isn't wholly relevant, I was just giving some background, I'm not a DIYer who's gone too far, I've designed, tested, and had approved circuitry for safety systems and modules used in building management systems for a multi national company...
Click to expand...

Lovely, but how does that apply to carrying out electrical installation work. As far as I am aware designing and approving safety systems is a very different set of rules and regulations to be working under.
 
Lolopopo said:
Wow... Calm down guys, yes I sleep well at night because the box isn't live, I kill the supply when it's not in use as mentioned above. It was a temporary measure that I've only just got round to addressing.

I know my degree isn't wholly relevant, I was just giving some background, I'm not a DIYer who's gone too far, I've designed, tested, and had approved circuitry for safety systems and modules used in building management systems for a multi national company... With your recommendation I will find an appropriate box with glands and rectify the problem! I will take photos when I'm done.

As far as I know the council doesn't need to be notified because there was an existing garage with power, (you guys would've freaked out if you saw the wiring for that, but no photos sadly!).

Once the box is fitted it will be a massive improvement on what was already in place.
Click to expand...

Actually in this instance a DIY'er that's gone too far, is exactly what you are.
You say you've designed safety systems, yet in the work you've shown us you seem to have shown total disregard for safety. You say it's isolated when not in use, but by the same token when in use it must be live & therefore Dangerous.

As for not needing to call an Electrician, I beg to differ. Going on what you've shown then you most certainly do.
 
Can I have your Big yellow book if you are obviously not using it - I'm still working from the green book as I'd rather buy tools than books.
Joking aside - I agree with all the above responses, you only live once so get an electrician to tidy and test. He/she may even pat you on the back for the garage installed accessories.
 
Upton Sparks said:
I like that High tower!... your right I don't know if it needs Notification as I've not done the a site survey, but its should be one of the first question you think off when working on outside electrics..... And there is the difference there, in your own home you can pretty much do what you like with impunity, but Part P is a Law and you can be prosecuted for non complying..... not that you would think that with the number of prosecution ...

Lolopopo.... if its temporary why don't you just run an extension lead out ?

IP65 Adaptable Box 80 x 80 x 52mm - http://www.screwfix.com/p/ip65-adaptable-box-80-x-80-x-52mm/14556?kpid=14556&gclid=COib36afz9QCFQi-7QodCI4GIA&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CIyB7aafz9QCFQoS0wodje8HxQ

you could use that box from screw a 20mm hole for the SWA and use a stuffing gland for the Twin and earth.... or buy an extension lead with an RCD plug.
Click to expand...

Outside doesn't require notification unless other factors come in to play.

@Rpa07 drop me a pm might have something lying about
 
Rpa07 said:
Can I have your Big yellow book if you are obviously not using it - I'm still working from the green book as I'd rather buy tools than books.
Joking aside - I agree with all the above responses, you only live once so get an electrician to tidy and test. He/she may even pat you on the back for the garage installed accessories.
Click to expand...
green book.i'm still on the red one. ( have a pdf of the green though)
 
Lolopopo said:
By temporary I don't mean an extension, there are hard wired lights and RCD box in the garage.

I'm looking at this
Gland Kit CW Exterior 20mm Standard - Toolstation - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p18776?table=no
And
MK IP66 Masterseal Junction Box Junction Box - Toolstation - https://www.toolstation.com/shop/p54742?table=no

Just need to check the diameter of the armoured cable.
Click to expand...

Why do you need to check the diameter of the cable for simple SWA? Just ask your wholesaler for the gland for whatever cable you have.
 
Lolopopo said:
Thanks for all the replies. It's quite funny and I appreciate the concern and advice.

It was meant to be a temporary solution put in by myself but then I didn't find a suitable box in Wickes or Screwfix that would accept the armoured cable.

It is some kind of old box that housed a switch, definitely not water tight.

I will try to find an IP65 box that can be drilled out to size.

I am not an electrician but I am doing a masters in Electronic Engineering, admittedly specialising in embedded software. I also have a copy of the 17th edition BSI Wiring Standards somewhere but I haven't really read it. I don't need an electrician, I just can't find a box. The wiring in the garage is much better! I have emergency stop buttons for the sockets, LED lighting, and a PIR for the lights.
Click to expand...
It would seem that you know the answers to your problem so not really sure why the question was asked. Go into any electrical wholesaler, or Screwfix or Toolstation, the boxes you want are not expensive. Be sure to fix the cables outside the box, at present it seems any random jerk on them would pull it all apart. With respect having a copy of the regulations and reading them is only the first step to understanding the requirements, interpretation and experience is very necessary. I could read a book on embedded software but it obviously wouldn't make me an expert. Good luck.
 

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Lolopopo

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Outdoor junction box for armoured cable
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