How to correctly terminate/junction wiring if removing wall?

jayc · 2 Sep 2011

Hi guys,

I want to pull down a downstairs dividing wall which has ring mains and lighting wiring chased into it. I've had a builder look and it's not a supporting wall so can come down easy enough.

Now I though I'd junction box the wiring in the gap between the ceiling and floor however I understand that all junction boxes need to be accessible. Is this correct?

If so what options have I got? Technically it would be accessible from upstairs but is pulling a carpet and floor board considered accessible?

Thanks in advance.

rebuke · 2 Sep 2011

Your best bet is to use crimps, as they can be left under floorboards / above ceilings without any problems. If you do, make sure you use a proper ratcheting crimp tool, not a cheapo flimsy thing from e.g. Halfords...

rebuke · 2 Sep 2011

Just to elaborate on that a bit further - crimps for the ring main (i.e. crimp the two cables together to maintain ring continuity), and for the lighting circuit presumably it is going to a switch so I guess you need to just relocate that switch...

jayc · 2 Sep 2011

Ahh crimps are acceptable then? I've got a very nice crimp tool and plently of quality heat shrinkable crimps.

The switch will be left out as the room had 2 switches, now it'll just have one.

Cheers!

rebuke · 2 Sep 2011

Crimps are acceptable for permanent connections of two conductors, not for terminating one.

Not sure what you mean by heat shrinkable crimps - the ones that I know of and are compliant with the regs are compression ones (you can then put heatshrink over them if required)?

With regards lighting if possible you want to remove the wiring to the switch entirely - if it's a 2-way do you know how it's wired, as if it's done in the 'normal' way then you're either going to have one cable that goes between switches to remove, or if the one you're removing also has the drop from the fitting you'll have to reroute that to the other switch...

jayc · 2 Sep 2011

The crimps I have are used in the marine industry. They are like the regular compression type expect they have a heat shrink covering which has adheisive inside. Once crimped they are heated and it makes the joint totally waterproof and secure. Overkill in this instance but unless there's a specific regulation that prohibits them I'll go with the belt and braces approach.

It is 2 way and while i hope it's done in the regular way nothing surprises me in this house anymore! The ceiling is coming down anyhow so any changes to the circuit can be made then.

Thanks again.

davelx · 2 Sep 2011

rebuke said:
Crimps are acceptable for permanent connections of two conductors, not for terminating one.

Not sure what you mean by heat shrinkable crimps - the ones that I know of and are compliant with the regs are compression ones (you can then put heatshrink over them if required)?

http://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/produ...2267573743D3435382D303731382677633D4E4F4E4526

Crimp & Shrink each joint, then overall heat-shrink.

JohnW2 · 2 Sep 2011

rebuke said:
Not sure what you mean by heat shrinkable crimps ...

Like this .... a regular compression crimp with a heat-shrink sleeve around it.

Kind Regards, John.

jayc · 2 Sep 2011

Indeed and Rapids are just down the road from me too!

Taylortwocities · 2 Sep 2011

JohnW2 said:
rebuke said:

Not sure what you mean by heat shrinkable crimps ...

Click to expand...

Like this .... a regular compression crimp with a heat-shrink sleeve around it.

Kind Regards, John.

They are probably OK as crimps, but the whole junction must also be oversleeved. The conductors must be double insulated.

Usually this is done with heat shrink sleeving over the whole joint, or by using self-amalgamating tape.

JohnW2 · 2 Sep 2011

Taylortwocities said:
They are probably OK as crimps, but the whole junction must also be oversleeved. The conductors must be double insulated. Usually this is done with heat shrink sleeving over the whole joint, or by using self-amalgamating tape.

Indeed - I was was merely the messenger, answering the question about 'what is a heat-shrink crimp', and I wasn't in any way recomemnding them (or any other crimp) - I think you know my views about crimping in general

Kind Regards, John.

Taylortwocities · 2 Sep 2011

Sure. I was just completing the picture for the OP.

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How to correctly terminate/junction wiring if removing wall?

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