Cannot get wires to fit into back box.. What's the solution

[Mr Sparkle]

My boiler wiring looks like this

https://imgur.com/a/NIraf5V

There is a shallow metal back box and I cannot bundle all of the wires in the back box in order to screw the switch shut

Does anyone have any solutions apart from chasing a bigger hole?

 

[sparkwright]

How deep is the back box?

16mm? 25mm?

It's one of those things a skilled electrician has to overcome, usually by very carefully dressing each wire as he connects it.

A slow business, but very rewarding once the cover screws are in place.

A spacer is available which can be inserted between the wall and the accessory if you get really stuck.

Whatever you do, don't catch any wires with the two faceplate screws, as you will not like what happens.

 

[sparkwright]

You could do with an earth connection to the accessory too, as this will earth the metalwork on the accessory, and in turn the faceplate screws and the backbox.

 

[sparkwright]

Why not do away with the connector block with the earth wires?

If you are short of earth terminals, some earth wires can go to the backbox earth terminal; run a new short earth wire from here to the accessory earth terminal, along with the remaining earth wires.

 

[Mr Sparkle]

How deep is the back box?

16mm? 25mm?

I am not in front of it, however I believe that it is 16mm as it so shallow

It's one of those things a skilled electrician has to overcome, usually by very carefully dressing each wire as he connects it.

I definitely have a healthy amount of respect for electricians, cause this is a nightmare..

I am tempted to shorten the wire, but something tells me that I may come to regret this in the furture

A spacer is available which can be inserted between the wall and the accessory if you get really stuck.

I'm definitely going to give this a shot as it is impossible at the moment

Any other advice, if this does not work?

Whatever you do, don't catch any wires with the two faceplate screws, as you will not like what happens.

I bet... Thanks for the tip.

 

[JohnD]

that lot shouldn't be in a backbox.

The plumbers use this kind of thing (surface mounted). Made for the job.

https://www.plumbase.co.uk/search?w=wiring+centre

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/Plumbing/3191/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=wiring+centre

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Why not do away with the connector block with the earth wires?

If you are short of earth terminals, some earth wires can go to the backbox earth terminal; run a new short earth wire from here to the accessory earth terminal, along with the remaining earth wires.

Apologies, this pic is a day old.. Currently, I have removed the connector blocks from the earth terminals

Three earth wires (ie on the right hand side of the connector block) have gone into the first earth terminal on the switch

The remaining two earth terminals (ie on the left hand side of the connector block), have gone into the second earth terminal on the switch

The neutral cables (2x) have been connected too

 

[Tigercubrider]

How visible will the finished box be?
I am not an electrician but work with a lot of cables.

I might be tempted to make the box area bigger or employ a junction box that could be fitted alongside

Edit- like above

 

[Mr Sparkle]

How visible will the finished box be?
I am not an electrician but work with a lot of cables.

I might be tempted to make the box area bigger or employ a junction box that could be fitted alongside

Edit- like above

quite visible, so not sure i will be going down this route

 

[JohnD]

then dig out a hole big enough for a double or dual box.

btw you can C&P photos

 

[Mr Sparkle]

Why not do away with the connector block with the earth wires?

If you are short of earth terminals, some earth wires can go to the backbox earth terminal; run a new short earth wire from here to the accessory earth terminal, along with the remaining earth wires.

So is it okay to put any earth cable into the backbox? If so, I will put two cables in the back box

In total, I have five earth (possible six) cables and these are definitely a major reason why I cannot screw the switch shut

 

[sparkwright]

So is it okay to put any earth cable into the backbox? If so, I will put two cables in the back box

In total, I have five earth (possible six) cables and these are definitely a major reason why I cannot screw the switch shut

Just be sure that all earth wires are in some way all connected, and don't forget a new piece of earth wire can link the backbox earth terminal and the accessory earth terminals.

 

[sparkwright]

You can also seperate the two connector blocks where the red and yellow wires are - with two individual connector blocks you can arrange them more in a space saving way.

 

[sparkwright]

Is the cable at the bottom flex?

I assume that goes to the boiler, and needs to be flex.

Also, does your switch have a flex outlet for the flex? Complete with cord grip?

 

[Mr Sparkle]

You can also seperate the two connector blocks where the red and yellow wires are - with two individual connector blocks you can arrange them more in a space saving way.

Even more space saving.. Brilliant! Thank you

Is the cable at the bottom flex?

I assume that goes to the boiler, and needs to be flex.

Also, does your switch have a flex outlet for the flex? Complete with cord grip?

Yes, the cable is flex and it does go to the boiler

I have to be honest, I had no idea about flex outlets.. You are an absolute star and I have learnt a lot in this thread

What do you mean by cord grip?