Alarm cable terminal/junction blocks?

mgx · 11 Oct 2009

Hi,

I'm doing an alarm install as part of a whole flat refurb, using 8 core shielded wire (with a texecom 24).

I have a couple of places where I need to join alarm cables (either because I can't put cable all the way through, or I have to cable and stop before something is finished).

What's the best type of terminal/junction block to use? 8 crimp terminals or 8 electrical (say 3amp) blocks are annoying.

Thanks

djrock · 11 Oct 2009

The best way is to solder the wires. Or you could use a 8-Way Junction Box.

Atilla · 11 Oct 2009

mgx said:
Hi,

I'm doing an alarm install as part of a whole flat refurb, using 8 core shielded wire (with a texecom 24).

I have a couple of places where I need to join alarm cables (either because I can't put cable all the way through, or I have to cable and stop before something is finished).

What's the best type of terminal/junction block to use? 8 crimp terminals or 8 electrical (say 3amp) blocks are annoying.

Thanks

why shielded? waste of money with joints but you never need a joint - you should be able to and we always do plan well enough in front that its just not required.

mgx · 11 Oct 2009

Atilla said:
why shielded? waste of money with joints but you never need a joint - you should be able to and we always do plan well enough in front that its just not required.

Shielded isn't all that more expensive for me, and I'm happy to pay a bit more for the potential benefit (even if in reality, there is no actual benefit). I'm not a professional, so I err towards caution.

Soldering sounds great. The joint is not visible, but is accessible.

I agree to avoid joints. I only have one possible one so far due to location of a fire detector and part of kitchen ceiling not yet built. I could only run a single cable and needed to tee it off the rest of the circuit. So I need a joint at the tee.

Atilla · 11 Oct 2009

mgx said:
Atilla said:

why shielded? waste of money with joints but you never need a joint - you should be able to and we always do plan well enough in front that its just not required.

Click to expand...

Shielded isn't all that more expensive for me, and I'm happy to pay a bit more for the potential benefit (even if in reality, there is no actual benefit). I'm not a professional, so I err towards caution.

Soldering sounds great. The joint is not visible, but is accessible.

I agree to avoid joints. I only have one possible one so far due to location of a fire detector and part of kitchen ceiling not yet built. I could only run a single cable and needed to tee it off the rest of the circuit. So I need a joint at the tee.

solder is always best.

RF Lighting · 11 Oct 2009

Why not run in one cable to each point and avoid the tee altogether?

mgx · 11 Oct 2009

RF Lighting said:
Why not run in one cable to each point and avoid the tee altogether?

You saw my other thread. Runs across a 30-50cm section of concrete ceiling within 5mm of plaster. Already not ideal to run the cable in the plaster this way, so thought it better to do one run of cable and a tee, rather than two runs of cable and no tee.

I know what the ideal solutions are for these things (no junctions), but then there are the practical realities of a situation that require a trade off, and a tee appears the best. If it ever becomes a problem, I can put an extra cable in without much effort.

Atilla · 11 Oct 2009

mgx said:
If it ever becomes a problem, I can put an extra cable in without much effort.

then do it now - and what are you planning to do with the screen on that cable?

mgx · 11 Oct 2009

Atilla said:
mgx said:

If it ever becomes a problem, I can put an extra cable in without much effort.

Click to expand...

then do it now - and what are you planning to do with the screen on that cable?

It's unscreened for this part, does that cause a problem?. My mistake, it's 6 core not 8 core cable. It does have a common (unsheathed) earth in it.

Atilla · 11 Oct 2009

mgx said:
Atilla said:

mgx said:

If it ever becomes a problem, I can put an extra cable in without much effort.

Click to expand...

then do it now - and what are you planning to do with the screen on that cable?

Click to expand...

It's unscreened for this part, does that cause a problem?. My mistake, it's 6 core not 8 core cable. It does have a common (unsheathed) earth in it.

to be fair, screened cable causes more problems than it cures - certainly dont go connecting it to earth at the control panel end like someone is going to suggest later

mgx · 11 Oct 2009

heh. Thanks. What are some specific problems that I should watch out for re. screened cable? I have only just started wiring, so if there are any hints and tips they would be most appreciated. Alarm systems are outside of my experience, but I am an engineer by training (years since I did hands on work though) so generally not too stupid.

Atilla · 11 Oct 2009

mgx said:
heh. Thanks. What are some specific problems that I should watch out for re. screened cable? I have only just started wiring, so if there are any hints and tips they would be most appreciated. Alarm systems are outside of my experience, but I am an engineer by training (years since I did hands on work though) so generally not too stupid.

what to know

keep it away from all other cables

keep bends nice and wide

dont force it or pull it too hard

test it regularly

if you manage to get a cut or nick in it - scrap it and start again

keep it away from other cables

make sure you have enough at each end - really its soooo simple to get wrong

clean cuts

tape round the end of the screened to make sure nothing accidently touches anything - the earth is very, very fine.

when its run stand back and check you`ve done it all - again its soooo simple to forget a detector

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Alarm cable terminal/junction blocks?

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