Terminating SWA

[roxburd]

Hi,

I'm wiring up my garage and there's one bit I'm undecided on - how best to terminate the SWA.

10 years ago I wired up another garage and I brought the SWA right through both walls. That was fine but the new property is newer and the entry points much more in-your-face. So I'm considering terminating the SWA in an external junction box to make it a bit neater.

Am I just asking for trouble? What are the best boxes to use if I do go that way? And how do you ensure 100% that there's no danger of problems from water ingress?

Cheers,
Dave

 

[EFLImpudence]

Having studied Electrical and Electronic Engineering at degree level I know about potential difference, resistance, impedance, insulation, the relationship between resistance and conductor cross-section and temperature, semi-conductor theory, blah de blah de blah.

Having done a bit of reading, I know about Part P, completion certificates, voltage drops by distance, split-load CUs, sub-mains, TT-S, etc, etc.

You must have missed a day

//www.diynot.com/wiki/electrics:installation_techniques:swa_gland

 

[mfarrow]

I use Wiska boxes ouside and install a gland plate to screw the glad into.

They come in black, which is a bonus, and are good quality.

 

[roxburd]

Thanks EFLImpudence, cool guide, handy reminder.

I've terminated SWA indoors before though - no problem there. I was really after product recommendations for outdoor, weatherproof boxes and tips on how to ensure they continue to keep the water out.

Or is it best to avoid terminating outside altogether - I've seen posts saying it's just asking for trouble.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Sorry, misunderstood.

As mfarrow.

 

[xr4x4]

Resin fill the box.

 

[roxburd]

I use Wiska boxes ouside and install a gland plate to screw the glad into.

They come in black, which is a bonus, and are good quality.

Magic, I've been looking at them. Thanks.

 

[securespark]

Don't make the external enclosure an unneccesary worry concerning water ingress:

Make off the SWA with as long a length of internal insulation & conductor as you need to reach the consumer unit terminals.

Then terminate the SWA into the enclosure, take the conductors through the wall, along the skirting, whatever then into the CU.

No external joints, no problem.

 

[roxburd]

Don't make the external enclosure an unneccesary worry concerning water ingress:

Make off the SWA with as long a length of internal insulation & conductor as you need to reach the consumer unit terminals.

Then terminate the SWA into the enclosure, take the conductors through the wall, along the skirting, whatever then into the CU.

No external joints, no problem.

Brilliant. That option occured to me late last night. But the bit I'm not so sure about is how to earth the armour - I'd have to bring a separate earth along with the SWA inner to earth the box/armour in some way. I guess it would be OK to just feed a single 4mm core earth out...

Is this a Part P acceptable solution? (Just in case I did wanna try to get the job signed off one day)

 

[xr4x4]

I use Wiska boxes ouside and install a gland plate to screw the glad into.

They come in black, which is a bonus, and are good quality.

i found a load of these under decking full of water, this was the worst.

ip66 my arse.

Untitled

• xr4x4
• 20 Sep 2011
• 1

 

[ban-all-sheds]

Resin fill the box.

Wouldn't gel or compound be better in case access to the connections was ever needed?

 

[xr4x4]

Resin fill the box.

Wouldn't gel or compound be better in case access to the connections was ever needed?

Could do, crimp them then shouldn't need to gain access.

 

[Alarm]

Could do, crimp them then shouldn't need to gain access.

Or do as securespark said,

Make off the SWA with as long a length of internal insulation & conductor as you need to reach the consumer unit terminals.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

And then, as roxburd asked, how do you earth the armour?

We don't even know that it isn't 2-core SWA, and that the problem isn't one of maintaining cpc continuity rather than mere earthing of the armour.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

ip66 my a**e.

I'm sure the box is, but if someone fits glands which are not then that is their fault, not the maker's.