Two way lighting

[ekmdgrf]

Trying to do some two-way switching. Looks like it might be a bit of a pita to pull more than a 3c&e in to each switch, so was wondering. What's the best way to wire it? Looks like it's a five terminal JB job? Is there a JB that can accommodate that? Will the terminals all fit in a Wago? I seem to recall the previous owner did something similar with a four-terminal, with the CPCs twisted together and tucked behind the JB. Obviously one can't do such a thing these days, with it not being accessible for inspection of the twists.

 

[EFLImpudence]

You only need a 4 terminal box - Ashley/ Hager J804.

 

[Taylortwocities]

I seem to recall the previous owner did something similar with a four-terminal, with the CPCs twisted together and tucked behind the JB. Obviously one can't do such a thing these days, with it not being accessible for inspection of the twists.

The issue is not one of access. All conductors must be inside the enclosure. The outer sheath of the cables must be enclosed by the terminal box itself.

Also, remember these boxes do not have any cable strain relief clamps, so the box must be screwed to backgrounds, and the cables clipped to prevent them being yanked out.

or follow EFLI's advice.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Untitled

• EFLImpudence
• 12 Apr 2014
• 1

 

[JohnW2]

I seem to recall the previous owner did something similar with a four-terminal, with the CPCs twisted together and tucked behind the JB. Obviously one can't do such a thing these days, with it not being accessible for inspection of the twists.

The issue is not one of access. All conductors must be inside the enclosure. The outer sheath of the cables must be enclosed by the terminal box itself. ... Also, remember these boxes do not have any cable strain relief clamps, so the box must be screwed to backgrounds, and the cables clipped to prevent them being yanked out.

The electrical installation I inherited, many moons ago (mainly of early/mid 80s vintage), made extensive use of 'external connection' of the CPCs. However, the JBs were (mainly!) screwed down, the cables clipped, the outer sheaths of cables entirely contained within the JB and the CPCs sleeved in G/Y (or was it green?!). Those (sleeved) CPCs then did a 'U-turn' within the JB, exited the JB through the same hole as their cable, and were all joined with some sort of connector block screwed down (usually) close to the JB.

I got rid of all (I hope - certainly most!) of that a long time ago - but, whilst it was not particularly beautiful, I'm not sure that I can see any reason why such an arrangement would (if accessible) not be compliant even today - can you?

Kind Regards, John

 

[ekmdgrf]

I seem to recall the previous owner did something similar with a four-terminal, with the CPCs twisted together and tucked behind the JB. Obviously one can't do such a thing these days, with it not being accessible for inspection of the twists.

The issue is not one of access. All conductors must be inside the enclosure. The outer sheath of the cables must be enclosed by the terminal box itself.

Also, remember these boxes do not have any cable strain relief clamps, so the box must be screwed to backgrounds, and the cables clipped to prevent them being yanked out.

or follow EFLI's advice.

So assuming strain relief is in place and the conductors are enclosed within the enclosure, one can just wrap then around each other and rely on Newton's first law to maintain continuity?

 

[JohnW2]

So assuming strain relief is in place and the conductors are enclosed within the enclosure, one can just wrap then around each other and rely on Newton's first law to maintain continuity?

Certainly not that, no - but if you did it in the manner I described above (as I found in my house), as I said, I can't yet think why that would not be compliant today. You would certainly need to join the CPCs with a connector block or suchlike, and not rely on twisting and Mr Newton!

Kind Regards, John

 

[AndyPRK]

The fixing holes were also a way to bring out the cpcs for external twist.

 

[JohnW2]

The fixing holes were also a way to bring out the cpcs for external twist.

With the 'dangling' ones, yes - I've seen plenty of that - but the fixing holes cease to become available for that purpose if there are screws in them

Kind Regards, John

 

[ekmdgrf]

The fixing holes were also a way to bring out the cpcs for external twist.

With the 'dangling' ones, yes - I've seen plenty of that - but the fixing holes cease to become available for that purpose if there are screws in them

Kind Regards, John

You could screw it in lightly, and wrap a piece of wire around all four screw, then each CPC could be spot welded to the head of one of the screws.