Extending backbox wires

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shabbaranks

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Hi all,

To cut a long story short (excuse the pun :)) Im looking to extend the ring main wires in order to connect to the socket plate. Am I ok to solder an additional length onto the existing wires (using the relevant coloured heatshrink)?

I realise I could just try and find a socket fascia to which I could connect the wires to, but the cowboy who installed the cables (and has now plasterd over the chases) has now ridden off into the sunset and I am left to fix this mess.

Any info is appreciated - thanks as always :)
 
Usually 30 amp connector blocks and some 2.5 mm cable is the way to go.

Or if you competent, blue crimps AND red crimps and a CORRECT crimping tool. The blue crimps for the live and neutrals, red crimps for the earths.

Extend each wire individually. Do NOT try bunching them up, as this is altering the design of the circuit.

Have you gently pulled the cables for some slack?
 
Thanks for the reply, yeah Ive tried to see if there is any slack - the problem is the cables feed are coming from right 90 degee ish angles so its not that easy.

I dont think I can get away with 30 amp blocks - the metal cases are a reasonable depth but I dont think enough to hold a block. How would you enclose thise blocks? Im guessing its not a questoin of wrapping insulation tape around them?
 
See my above extended post.

An experienced electrician can usually arrange the wires neatly in the box to allow the faceplate to fit nicely.

Crimps may be the answer.

Or, as you mentioned, choosing sockets that have the terminals in the right place. Why are you changing the faceplate? Presumably one has been fitted if the wires are too short.

What make is the existing faceplate?
 
This is within a conservatory so there are no face plates fitted, I had some spares when I was rennovating the house and was going to use these but the earth connection is on the far side with about 2-3 inches of cable coming up through the back box which isnt nearly enough.

If I was to use a 30 amp block - would I need to wrap the block in insulation tape? Or should the block be enclosed in something (like one of those chockblock enclousers?)
 
Why are the wires stripped to length when the faceplates aren't fitted?

Are you saying only the earth wires need extending? That would give you more room.

As the earth wires are thinner, you may need to double or triple the ends over to get a nice secure connection in the quite big 30 amp connector blocks. No real reason why you couldn't use a 15 amp block for the earths.

No need to tape the blocks, it's in an enclosure (metal box?), but you can tape them with insulation tape if you wish.
 
They arent stripped - well the feed is but it was only to see how much wire I have available. This is a new circuit so the wires just go to the loft and arent connected to the CU (seperate ring for conservatory) so its not "live".

Unfortunatly all 3 wires of both the feed and return (6 in total) need extending, Im sure I can get some crimpers so I'll probably go down that route.

So is there a reason why I couldnt solder the connections? Just out of curiousity?
 
sparkwright said:
Extend each wire individually. Do NOT try bunching them up, as this is altering the design of the circuit.
Click to expand...

Also just a quickie... Im curious how people would bunch these wires up? Have you seen it done before? Its just that obviously you would connect live to live in one connector, neutral to neutral and earth to earth - all in thier own block. I dont see how you could bunch these connetions and get a working circuit? Or are you just telling me the obvious (which I appreciate but I am semi savvy :))
 
shabbaranks said:
So is there a reason why I couldnt solder the connections? Just out of curiousity?
Click to expand...

(I'm not an electrician and this is just my opinion)
There is nothing forbidden, or wrong soldering and heat-shrinking, I have done it myself in the past but I realized it just isn't done in the home. Crimping is the usual way to go. You do need the proper tool and a bit of practice to figure out how to get it right.

shabbaranks said:
sparkwright said:
Extend each wire individually. Do NOT try bunching them up, as this is altering the design of the circuit.
Click to expand...

Also just a quickie... Im curious how people would bunch these wires up?
Click to expand...

I'm not 100% sure what sparkwright is saying either. Maybe advising not to create a 'mini-spur' to the socket, ie: extend each cable individually. I might be wrong though, it has been known.
 
mikeyd said:
shabbaranks said:
So is there a reason why I couldnt solder the connections? Just out of curiousity?
Click to expand...
(I'm not an electrician and this is just my opinion)
There is nothing forbidden, or wrong soldering and heat-shrinking, I have done it myself in the past but I realized it just isn't done in the home.
Click to expand...
Soldering is one of the methods allowed for inaccessible joints although, as with everything, it must be done properly.

Crimping is the usual way to go. You do need the proper tool and a bit of practice to figure out how to get it right.
Click to expand...
Solid conductors should not be crimped.

Maybe advising not to create a 'mini-spur' to the socket,
Click to expand...
I would agree with that as a permanent joint will not allow separation for testing but if connector blocks can be used I don't see a problem.
 

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