Ashley maintenance free junction box puzzle

[RogerHamilton]

Bought one of these to be all proper about joining cables in places which will subsequently be inaccessible. Can't see what actually holds the wires in place. Can't believe you just push them into the holes, otherwise that would mean no way of getting them out if you change your mind about the circuit before the job is finished.

Has anyone bought one and can help me, please?

 

[Taylortwocities]

You don't just push the conductor into the holes.

On the top of the termination there is a spring loaded pad. You push that down and insert the conductor. To release the conductor, press the pad and pull the conductor out.

Simples!

 

[RF Lighting]

Oh and they are not suitable for use as an inaccessible joint according to BS7671.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Oh and they are not suitable for use as an inaccessible joint according to BS7671.

I thought they was

 

[rebuke]

There have been a number of discussions as to whether these comply or not - it all comes down to what you interpret the bit in the regs about complying with an appropriate product standard means...

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I have not got the red book at hand, but I'm sure where the diagrams of the ring final and radial circuits are, the pages they cut and pasted the wrong info on.
Suggested these type of boxes could be used to connect spurs etc...

Page 362 & 363
quote junction box blah..........or alternatively use maintenance-free terminals/connections.

 

[sparkyspike]

No, the regs say that screw type JBs must be accessible, or alternatively use maintenance free terminals.

526.3 implies that maintenance free JBs can only remain inaccessible if they employ compression terminals.

 

[ColJack]

526.3 makes no such implication.. it says "A joint made by soldering, brazing or appropriate compression TOOL"... which means crimp connections..
it does not mean spring compression terminals..

it most certainly does not mean spring compression terminals that have not had long term testing.. for all we know, after 3-5 years the heating / cooling of the spring material will "relax" them and cause loose connections.. same way that brass screws can work loose..

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

I might be wrong please do hesitate to inform me if I am
When the 17th eds where going through publication, this type of box was quite new.
But since publication of BS7671:2008 I was of the understand the Ashley Box could be used.
526.3 (v) mentions appropriate product standards
could this not apply (if the standard is approved and appropriate)
and Chapter 12 gives leeway to departures for new materials and inventions.

 

[sparkyspike]

526.3 makes no such implication

Yes, it does. Use of a compression tool implies the use of compression terminals. I was not aware that the Ashley box terminals were known as 'spring compression' terminals, so sorry for the confusion there.

On the other hand, both Ashley and Wago boxes seem to be acceptable, despite no tool being required. I think the reasoning is that they actually do not require maintenance.

 

[ColJack]

it's not known as a spring compression terminal.. that's just what I call them because that's what they are..

as I said.. a TOOL is not a terminal..
the terminals are not permanent.. but crimping, brazing or soldering is..

they may indeed qualify under section (v) but that's what the debate rages on about..

 

[sparkyspike]

The use of a compression tool implies the use of compression terminals. Otherwise you wouldn't be using the compression tool. N'est-ce pas?

 

[ColJack]

we may be getting out wires crossed here...
what do you classify as "compression terminals"?
red, yellow and blue crimps?

 

[bernardgreen]

A compression joint should ( in my opinion ) create a cold weld between the conductor and the connector as a result of the pressure exerted by the tool onto the material.

A spring can only press the conductor onto the connector with the force in the spring and is therefore very unlikely to create a cold weld.

 

[sparkyspike]

we may be getting out wires crossed here...
what do you classify as "compression terminals"?
red, yellow and blue crimps?

Yes, I think we have been.

Still, it shows that the regs can be interpreted in different ways due to semantics.