Strip connectors in DBs

[sparx northeast]

Is there regulation that says connector blocks can not be used to join cables inside a DB?

 

[Darkwood]

storm in a tea cup to be honest.
and i've never had any connection problems with the thousands of solid core wires ive crimped , so in absence of any noticable evidence to the contrary , i'll continue.
saying that though , i use indent crimpers rather than compression crimpers which i find to make a better connection.
just because nasa wont do it building a space shuttle doesnt mean its not acceptable for the average joe to extend some t&e in a box..........

Indent crimpers are designed for solid cores these are the correct ones to use i was relating to the ratchet crimpers used on the red/blue/yellow insulated crimps which are designed for fine stranded and stranded cables.

@DPG ... a good point you'll find the crimps we are discussing are not suitable for solid core if you seek manufacturers of either the crimping tool or the crimps unless you are using an indent style crimper.. i dragged this up before with links to the appropriate manufacturers site. Yes agree maybe a storm in a teacup considering the sector of industry most members are in but it does boil down to whether using the available popular insulated crimps is good practice.. i see them fail a lot because i see them on heavily loaded cables which are loaded for long durations (all within design criteria) - a situation rarely seen in domestic hence lack of evidence and issues, but does it mean the practice should be continued because its less likely to give concerns in the domestic sector... again you may never see any issues in this sector but in testing for durability, reliability and functionality the manufacturers of both crimps and crimper under discussion do say not suitable for solid core cables... just because you don't get a instruction sheet or guide when you buy them its often a big reason why its overlooked.

Do remember any joint has to cope with the full S/C current as well and this is something the user will not be able to check without referring to manufacturers guidelines.

 

[shanky887614]

Indent crimpers are designed for solid cores these are the correct ones to use i was relating to the ratchet crimpers used on the red/blue/yellow insulated crimps which are designed for fine stranded and stranded cables.

@DPG ... a good point you'll find the crimps we are discussing are not suitable for solid core if you seek manufacturers of either the crimping tool or the crimps unless you are using an indent style crimper.. i dragged this up before with links to the appropriate manufacturers site. Yes agree maybe a storm in a teacup considering the sector of industry most members are in but it does boil down to whether using the available popular insulated crimps is good practice.. i see them fail a lot because i see them on heavily loaded cables which are loaded for long durations (all within design criteria) - a situation rarely seen in domestic hence lack of evidence and issues, but does it mean the practice should be continued because its less likely to give concerns in the domestic sector... again you may never see any issues in this sector but in testing for durability, reliability and functionality the manufacturers of both crimps and crimper under discussion do say not suitable for solid core cables... just because you don't get a instruction sheet or guide when you buy them its often a big reason why its overlooked.

Do remember any joint has to cope with the full S/C current as well and this is something the user will not be able to check without referring to manufacturers guidelines.

Crimp and solder.

Keeps everyone happy.

Do you use a gas soldering iron and lead solder or what kind?

 

[Darkwood]

I don't solder when joining 2 pieces of cable and rely on the appropriate crimp and tool for the job with heat shrink after.. soldering has more negatives as apposed to just crimping and not only takes up more time but can leave a stiff joint that if flexed can easily fail..

I only solder when the plug assembly kits only make the solder kind but always prefer the crimp pin sets ... i have several crimpers all for their different purposes and avoids heat damage too other than the odd solder i need in my control gear i rarely need to resort to it.

 

[sparks1234]

Like most on here we have used various connectors and crimps, crimps obviously look much better, not very useful obviously if you have 3 cores to connect. What I would say in the defence of connector blocks though (although they are ugly and do not look as professional) is that with the way a cable is clamped within them i.e. the twisting action of a screw, it's difficult for a screw to undo. many sockets and dis board connections are screw terminal rather than being crushed.
I do always make sure all cores are settled in whatever screw terminal I use especially when on larger loads as I have seen heat build up on cables through loose connections, but I don't see there is any problem using either if they are correctly installed.

 

[Engineer54]

I'd have to be bloody desperate or in dire straits to connect and leave cables connected to stip connectors in a CU enclosure. The next electrician to open that CU, will be of the opinion that a cowboy had been at work!! lol!!