joining cables

[solo510]

hi there this is my first posting so please be gentle with me

I want to have a new consumer unit fitted but space is tight the guy come to look and said he would need to extend all the cables he would do this with block connecters is this ok to do, what is the best solution to this many thanks

 

[mattylad]

What blocks is he on about?

I hope not choc blocks, or connector strip....

A pro electrician will be along to advise, I think crimping may be advised.

 

[RF Lighting]

Providing that the joint will remain accessible for inspection / testing / fault finding etc, then connector strips are acceptable.

BUT

It is not exactly a very elegant way of doing things, and not the way I would do it my self.

 

[flameport]

Choc block or connectors inside the CU - probably ok for one or two wires. Would be an untidy shambles if used for all of the wires.

Others options:
1. Move the CU slightly so more length of cable inside the CU. Cupboard in the way? - that can easily be shifted with a heavy duty wrecking bar.
2. Several junction boxes outside of the CU. Not very pretty but would do the job.
3. One large enclosure with rail mounted terminals (although if wires reach to that, they would probably reach into the new CU as well)
4. Crimps - neater but requires the proper crimps and tooling. (not a press and hope car repair type)
5. Solder and heatshrink. Neat but requires care and skill, particularly as an electric soldering iron is out of the question.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

the guy come to look and said he would need to extend all the cables he would do this with block connecters

Get a different guy.

 

[chapeau]

What's the deal on extending 25mm meter tails? Had an electrician round who said they can be crimped, another said need a whole new sub main. Difference in quotes very significant.

 

[Adam_151]

Solo...Whats the situation with the tails? are they forming a long submain through building builds... if so they are a poor choice, SWA or split con would have been better (but they are not none compliant)

I'm assuming they just need an extra few inches to reach a replacement DB, if so then if they reach into the enclosure they can be crimped and a bit of 25mm singles joined on, if not then they can be crimped to some more DI tails inside a suitable adaptable box, or if the box is to remain accessable a henly block could be used inside it.

 

[ericmark]

What's the deal on extending 25mm meter tails? Had an electrician round who said they can be crimped, another said need a whole new sub main. Difference in quotes very significant.

The only reason not to crimp would be lack of room. In order to retain the double insulation requirements likely the crimps would need to be in an enclosure of some type i.e. You should not be able to touch the cable where crimped maybe two layers of shrink will do should be resin type.
But without more details of why one guy says they can't be crimped hard to say which is correct. May be he does not have crimp pliers for 25mm?
You should really have made a new post.
As to original question I agree with BAS find someone else. Is he registered? I was always taught a loose choc block was a no in an enclosure if used they should be fixed any short wires would be crimped or renewed.

 

[Steve]

mount the new CU sideways.





<runs and hides>

 

[chapeau]

You should really have made a new post

My question was a logical follow on from the op's question

said he would need to extend all the cables he would do this with block connecters is this ok to do

but thanks for your answer, very interesting.

But without more details of why one guy says they can't be crimped hard to say which is correct. May be he does not have crimp pliers for 25mm?

Well, for the extra £800 he wanted over the other guy I think he could have gone and bought one All sorted now though.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

I'm assuming they just need an extra few inches to reach a replacement DB, if so then if they reach into the enclosure they can be crimped and a bit of 25mm singles joined on, if not then they can be crimped to some more DI tails inside a suitable adaptable box, or if the box is to remain accessable a henly block could be used inside it.

If you only need to extend the typical meter tail by a few inches why on earth would you not simply replace them with longer ones?

 

[securespark]

mount the new CU sideways.





<runs and hides>

I had to quote for a new board in a very tight situation. I rang Legrand Tech to ask if there were any solutions I had not thought of; they suggested mounting their boards vertically...

 

[Adam_151]

If you only need to extend the typical meter tail by a few inches why on earth would you not simply replace them with longer ones?

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but I was working on the assumption we weren't talking of the typical installation with 1m tails to the meter here...

What's the deal on extending 25mm meter tails? Had an electrician round who said they can be crimped, another said need a whole new sub main. Difference in quotes very significant.

Whats the situation with the tails? are they forming a long submain through building builds... if so they are a poor choice, SWA or split con would have been better (but they are not none compliant)

 

[Steve]

they suggested mounting their boards vertically...

Did you?

 

[chapeau]

If you only need to extend the typical meter tail by a few inches why on earth would you not simply replace them with longer ones?

What if the tails are not 'typical' (by which I suspect you mean short)?