Best three way joiner for SWA

DIYTom · 17 Nov 2014

I'm needing to put three three way joints into an armoured cable I'm running for outdoor lights. The joints will be above ground and the SWA is 1.5mm. I'm wondering what people here would recommend as the best joiner.

I've seen this in the Screwfix catalogue.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/teetube-ip68-3-pole-t-splitter/52526?_requestid=55443
It looks though like it doesn't have anyway to join the armour together and ensure continuity though the cable.

I've also seen these on TLC:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/PRABX03.html
I think this can ensure continuity. Looks like the glands at the side have a way to terminate the armour.

Anyway what would people recommend?

ban-all-sheds · 17 Nov 2014

DIYTom said:
I've seen this in the Screwfix catalogue.
http://www.screwfix.com/p/teetube-ip68-3-pole-t-splitter/52526?_requestid=55443
It looks though like it doesn't have anyway to join the armour together and ensure continuity though the cable.

Indeed not, because it's not meant to be used for SWA.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/PRABX03.html
I think this can ensure continuity. Looks like the glands at the side have a way to terminate the armour.

That will do the job, but it isn't cheap - do you need the mechanical protection it offers?

These will also do the job:

as long as it's not going to get bashed into. Probably look better too, unless you're a fan of the industrial look.

Taylortwocities · 17 Nov 2014

I agree, the WISKA box is good for above ground connections.

If you are terminating 3 SWA cables, you'll need two of the EARTH CLAMP BARS to interconnect the armours.

re

DIYTom said:
I've also seen these on TLC:

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/PRABX03.html
I think this can ensure continuity. Looks like the glands at the side have a way to terminate the armour.

On the Pratley box, you unscrew the supplied gland and then fit your SWA gland instead. The box is metal so armour continuity is provided.

bernardgreen · 17 Nov 2014

A galvanised Y box ( also known as a trouser leg box ) may be the most convenient format.

http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/CO20BXYG.html

There are other sources

ban-all-sheds · 17 Nov 2014

I thought about those, but there's no way to fix them to anything without compromising the IP rating. And talking of which there is no IP rating for them. Yes, you can use a gasket, and fill the thing with compound, but you can't be sure. Also there's no way to get a locknut on the gland, so it could work loose.

Wiskas/Pratleys a much better bet.

Spark123 · 17 Nov 2014

Points taken re the ip ratings but I'm mot sure why you'd want to use a locknut with a round conduit box?

ban-all-sheds · 17 Nov 2014

For the same reason you'd want to use a locknut on anything threaded.

Spark123 · 17 Nov 2014

I've never bothered before, they tighten up just fine. You can get them tighter into a besa box than you can when you just use a locknut in a normal metal enclosure.

flyingsparks · 17 Nov 2014

ban-all-sheds said:
I thought about those, but there's no way to fix them to anything without compromising the IP rating. And talking of which there is no IP rating for them. Yes, you can use a gasket, and fill the thing with compound, but you can't be sure. Also there's no way to get a locknut on the gland, so it could work loose.

Wiskas/Pratleys a much better bet.

If you insist on having a lock but (bit ott in that instance I think) then you could put a lock but on first and then lock it off afterwards

Lectrician · 17 Nov 2014

Conduit boxes are fine without locknuts, no probs at all, but I would not use them outside. I've too many fail.

I would use gewiss 4x4x2 with perhana nuts, or even a 6x4x2 so all three glands can be in the bottom (much better).

DIYTom · 18 Nov 2014

Thanks guys. I'll use the plastic boxes, should look neater. They're going to be mounted on a wall next to my drive so only real risk is a car tyre scraping them, but that's very unlikely.
Do you think it's worth getting some of the gel stuff to fill the boxes up with, to stop any moisture ingress?

Taylortwocities · 18 Nov 2014

You do not need gel for the WISKA boxes.They are IP66 rated which is more than enough if they are just going to be surface mounted, outside.

ban-all-sheds · 19 Nov 2014

DIYTom said:
They're going to be mounted on a wall next to my drive so only real risk is a car tyre scraping them, but that's very unlikely.

If a car tyre can scrape them, why can't a car body?

DIYTom · 19 Nov 2014

ban-all-sheds said:
DIYTom said:

They're going to be mounted on a wall next to my drive so only real risk is a car tyre scraping them, but that's very unlikely.

Click to expand...

If a car tyre can scrape them, why can't a car body?

Because they're going to be mounted very low, it's a very small wall. It's very unlikely though, I try not to make a habit of scrapping my car's tyres along walls.

Taylortwocities · 19 Nov 2014

The wing mirrors are an excellent width warning!

diynot

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Best three way joiner for SWA

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