Terminating 1mm Twin & Earth Cable

[CAWORK]

Afternoon all,

When terminating the above size cable in fittings (light switches, ceiling roses, junction boxes etc) how would you normally terminate it into the terminal screws?

Do you double it over (which I would imagine would give better contact) or would you just shove it straight in? (which with such a small diameter of cable, both a very good chance of the cable end moving to one side, missing the terminal screw and resulting in a poor connection or the cable end getting crushed by the terminal screw and snapping)

1.5 cable I have found 'sits' better in terminal screws with no need to double over.

NB: I am fully aware different people have different opinions on what size cable to use on lighting but I suppose it's just a matter of personal preference.

Regards

 

[EFLImpudence]

I would double over the ends of one or more conductors to fill the terminal as much as possible - whatever the size.

I suppose it is personal preference if you want to use larger cables than necessary.
There seems to be a fashion for using larger than necessary cable.

Do you have a reason for the personal preference?

 

[CAWORK]

Do you have a reason for the personal preference?

HI

I don't as such have a personal preference myself, what I meant was I know that some people (electricians included) have a preference for 1.0mm and some for 1.5mm. , but for those who do use 1mm cable how they would terminate it.

Regards.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I don't as such have a personal preference myself, what I meant was I know that some people (electricians included) have a preference for 1.0mm and some for 1.5mm.

Some say 1mm² breaks more easily but, while that is presumably the case because it is smaller, I have never found that to be a problem.
I suppose 1.5mm² breaks more easily than 2.5mm² - or 10mm².
I suppose it depends how it is treated.

but for those who do use 1mm cable how they would terminate it.

As I have said, whatever size is being used and how many, I would try to fill the terminal hole as much as possible.

 

[flameport]

Whether the ends are folded over or not depends on the size of the wire relative to the terminal it is going into.

 

[crystal ball]

I connected a switch only yesterday, doubled over the ends, powered up and light not working, terminal screw had snapped the conductor

 

[JohnW2]

Some say 1mm² breaks more easily but, while that is presumably the case because it is smaller...

I'm not at all sure about that logic. With the sort of materials we're talking about, 'smaller' might well mean 'more likely to bend than snap', mightn't it?

Kind Regards, John

 

[333rocky333]

Sometimes I think its more where they score it when stripping, then it snaps, snapping stripped copper is not always that easy

 

[crystal ball]

I have found terminal screws with sharp burrs on the end before now, cheap brass I reckon

 

[John D v2.0]

Even if you use 1.5, the cpc is 1mm.
I don't bother doubling over, but what i do is use pointy noise pliers to give each conductor a yank after i tighten the terminal. Quickly shows up any issue which is not infrequent.

 

[SUNRAY]

Even if you use 1.5, the cpc is 1mm.
I don't bother doubling over, but what i do is use pointy noise pliers to give each conductor a yank after i tighten the terminal. Quickly shows up any issue which is not infrequent.

You have not infrequent problems with terminating wires?

 

[John D v2.0]

You have not infrequent problems with terminating wires?

No because i test them as mentioned above as part of the process.

 

[crystal ball]

I wonder when push fit terminals will become commonplace on switches? seem to be every where else JBs, fittings

 

[John D v2.0]

I wonder when push fit terminals will become commonplace on switches? seem to be every where else JBs, fittings

Not sure, since the advantage of screw terminals is you can cram whatever you like in, even 4mm2 plus would go in or 4x2.5mm if you're having a couple of spurs.
You would need 3 holes for each of l,n,e on the sockets and probably 2 for each terminal on the light switches which would probably stop triple two way switches being a thing. At least not that would go on a 16mm backbox.

 

[crystal ball]

I realise but a row of push fits would be feasible on most accessories or use wagos