The helacons I use require some serious twisting and a lot of pulling to get out.... I can't see them coming out of anything unless you want them to.
 
My 2 cents worth...


the Inspector from Elecsa/ECA talked to me about wago connectors and he was all for them!

I'd agree

i asked the question about plastering them into a wall and his advice was YES they are designed for that and as long as they are protected in an enclosure like a chocbox or similar they can be treated in same way as crimped connections as the effect of moisture from the plaster and also the aggressive nature of the plater may cause damage to the connections!

A crimper can be considered as a compression tool, resulting in a maintenance free joint. As mentioned in 526.3
A wago cannot really be considered maintenance free as the cable can be pulled out and so are vulnerable to vibration. Proper anchoring could maybe fix this issue, but then there is the problem that can arise from excessive overload. Granted these wago's are designed to an operating temperature, but if cables do get overloaded it will be at there weak point where they will likely char and/or snap, which is most likely in the wago. I have seen this before twice already.
I think it's early days with these connections for us to be happy filling them into walls never to be seen again without an understanding of their longevity.

he also said that due to the design nature of the wago they need not be enclosed in an enclosure if say placed in a loft area or a partion wall providing they have been terminated correctly and pushed fully home with no copper on show as per manufactures instructions!

That seems like nonsense as wago say they should be in an enclosure, and more importantly, there will be no fault protection at the connections?
 
My 2 cents worth...




I'd agree



A crimper can be considered as a compression tool, resulting in a maintenance free joint. As mentioned in 526.3
A wago cannot really be considered maintenance free as the cable can be pulled out and so are vulnerable to vibration. Proper anchoring could maybe fix this issue, but then there is the problem that can arise from excessive overload. Granted these wago's are designed to an operating temperature, but if cables do get overloaded it will be at there weak point where they will likely char and/or snap, which is most likely in the wago. I have seen this before twice already.
I think it's early days with these connections for us to be happy filling them into walls never to be seen again without an understanding of their longevity.



That seems like nonsense as wago say they should be in an enclosure, and more importantly, there will be no fault protection at the connections?


I've been using Wago's for years and have never had a problem
Thry don't pull out, cause hot spots,or break the cables, compered to some of the crip joints if seen over the years there a lot more reliable
 
I've been using Wago's for years and have never had a problem
Thry don't pull out, cause hot spots,or break the cables, compered to some of the crip joints if seen over the years there a lot more reliable


They do pull out, and they do heat up. I have done, and seen this happen.

What's a crip joint?
 
Got 100 wago's (1.0mm-2.5) off ebay for 12 quid.I also pay around 60p each for choc box in bulk. Had the invoice off City of Electrcial for some choc boxes i bought there, 4pound each - 50% discount= 2pound= robbing gits.
 
Got 100 wago's (1.0mm-2.5) off ebay for 12 quid.I also pay around 60p each for choc box in bulk. Had the invoice off City of Electrcial for some choc boxes i bought there, 4pound each - 50% discount= 2pound= robbing gits.

Thats why the Mackie's live in Switzerland !!
 
I asked to see some at City's this morning, they said they were £10 per box 100.
I think they look good as well but anyone who is using them in lofts or floorboards etc etc without an enclosure should park their horse outside.
 
Well yesterday I used the triple pole ones in a metal back box to extend a cooker circuit so I could move the switch along.
First time I've used them and I like them. The old socket hole will be covered by a metal splash plate.
I also used it on another 'old socket' to replace a stuffed chockblock. Again metal back box enclosure so I will be using them again.
Do we think maybe over time the regs will reflect these as permanent joints?
 
NO WAY!! (about no enclosure required) states that the connection and cables need to be protected. So connector doesnt comply in its own right and the bits of cable where the sleeving is stripped of requires protection........thats the reason for a JB!!
 
Never ever came across these....whats the difference between a normal connector block and these???
 
NO WAY!! (about no enclosure required) states that the connection and cables need to be protected. So connector doesnt comply in its own right and the bits of cable where the sleeving is stripped of requires protection........thats the reason for a JB!!

Now I'm in no way saying this is right or wrong but having used these wago's I see where everyone is coming from.

Lets play devils advocate:

JB - What is it? not asking for a description but lets break it down, there are terminals, and a plastic mould to hide the terminals. gererally speaking thats what it is.

Right

Wago's - what is it? Same again, terminals covered in plastic to protect the terminals?

Can you pull a cable from a JB -mmmm I'd have to say yes as the cables are not secured within the housing of the JB.

Can you pull a cable from a Wago - mmmm debatable but doubtful, however if the cables are within a wago box and its been put together properly, you ain't got a chance.

Will they ever be classified as a permanent joint I doubt it very much! IMO.

To be honest in the technical sense of the word there not a permanent joint as they can be taken apart. But there the nuts and a great time saver used correctly and in the right place (as in an enclosure)

@ eletricalserv - there just like a connector block only better and quicker and safer! IMO.

Only thing wrong with them I think has been said before - they need a bigger portal built in so you can test to GS38
 
Sorry if I've come in a bit late on this thread but I think that Wagos and their like are the 'missing link' (pun intended). After 30 odd years of worrying about where to install JBs and make them accessible these little darlings seem to be the the solution to a lot of problems. That said, I'd still use discretion as to where to put joints and ALWAYS put connections in enclosures (EU harmonisation is not all progress!).
I got a selection box of all sizes from CEF last year for about £80 and top it up as necessary. I've also used Ashley maintenance free JBs which are the same push fit concept built into an enclosure. I also use Wagos for 3 plate connections in switch boxes as they are faster and look more professional than strip conns.
 
I got told from an NIC inspector that it was ok to terminate my downlighters in the lever clamp wago's with no need to add a choc box or wagobox. For months I have been using both but he has told me it is no longer required as the wago's, if terminated correctly have no exposed live part. However I believe in belt and braces and for the sake of a few extra minutes and perhaps £30 on a quote, still put them inside an enclosure.

Off topic but he also told me I no longer had to have my meter calibrated every year so long as I have a known test rig or circuit(s) and keep a record of test results. Not sure if both are true or whether he had been on the Lambrini!!!!
 
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I got told from an NIC inspector that it was ok to terminate my downlighters in the lever clamp wago's with no need to add a choc box or wagobox. For months I have been using both but he has told me it is no longer required as the wago's, if terminated correctly have no exposed live part. However I believe in belt and braces and for the sake of a few extra minutes and perhaps £30 on a quote, still put them inside an enclosure.

Off topic but he also told me I no longer had to have my meter calibrated every year so long as I have a known test rig or circuit(s) and keep a record of test results. Not sure if both are true or whether he had been on the Lambrini!!!!

thats what im lead to believe,you only have to recalibrate every 3 years as long as you do monthly checks and record results,as long as the tolerances do not change much than you would think that the test meter does not require a recal,but if it starts spitting out funny readings then recal it,i got a thing called a calcard from fleabay for £20,comes in handy
 
As far as I'm concerned with WAGO's etc they may be maintenance free according to the manufacterer, but as far as regulation 526.3 is concerend they still need to be accessible for inspection and testing as they do not, as yet conform as part of the exceptions.

I know a lot is said about regulation 120.4 and new inventions, but it will be interesting to see if the new BS 7671-2011 will recognise them as being regarded as non accessible ................
 
had the same sort of responce from my assesor but i did point out to him that they will need to be in an enclosure due to the fact that you have impaired the integrety of the insulation you are required to have double insulation on cables he was elecsa to nice guy and agreed with what i had said
 

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Words from the Inspectors Mouth about Wago!
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