crimpimg

[thespook]

Hi
After reading on here if I had to join a couple of wires anything from 1mm to 4mm I assume its best to crimp them using a ratchet crimper and the correct size crimps, but what crimps are best to use, for example, just a straight connector or the male and female bullet type.
I ask this because when I put my swa cable over to the garage (4mm) I had to join it to a short piece of 4mm T&E to reach the cu, I used a 30amp connector block but as I said after reading on here should I have used crimps.
Thanks

 

[Belle427]

 

[thespook]

Thanks for the helpful reply. I take it I have done something very wrong for you to be so shocked, maybe if you explained a bit better I could rectify the problem.

 

[RobFurn]

Yeah just a bit, sounds like a bodge job, I bet you havnt earthed the armour?

If you needed to extend the swa you should have terminated using an appropriate SWA gland to an adaptable box making sure you have earthed the armouring via the banjo then connect from the adaptable box to your CU using your T+E.

 

[thespook]

I did terminate with the correct gland into a ip rated box and yes i did earth the Armour, but as I said I had to extend the cable to reach the cu so I used a 30amp connector block, but would I have been better crimping them together, or is there a special box I should have terminated the cable into that already has the connectors in it

 

[RobFurn]

4mm SWA can take 38A clipped direct. If its XLPE it can take 49A clipped direct. 4mm T+E can take 36A clipped direct. I would have used 60A conector block in case you put it on a 32A breaker. If you have put the conector block inside the adaptable box then thats fine.

Most of these adaptable boxes especially the IP rated ones have teminals inside them


BTW crimping is used when your cable joint is not accessible as junciton boxes or connector block (screw teminals) will loosen over time. If your box is accesible i.e. not buried or under the floor then your ok.

 

[thespook]

Thanks for the info, I will look for a 60 amp terminal block to replace the 30 amp one

 

[chrisb271]

If your cable is out the way bud then it would have been better to put a resin joint over it.

they give you the full works to make sure its a proper job.

 

[Taylortwocities]

60A term block available at TLC

Only use thru crimps. bullet and and socket crimps are not allowed on main voltage!

 

[thespook]

Thanks Taylortwocities you answered my question on the crimps.
I must admit I thought the first reply I had was pointless, I came on here to get some info to make sure I had done a safe job, and what was the first reply, a smilie, even the second reply seemed very flippant to me. If I had not expressed myself correctly then I apologize, but the reason people like me come on this site is to learn from you experts, and make sure we do not do anything dangerous to others as well as ourselves. I do not wish to offend anyone, but we do not all understand "sparky talk" I thought I had phrased my question well, but obversely I did not, as one person said "it sounds like a bodge job" and "he bet I had not earthed the armour" although I cannot figure out how he could tell that from my question.
Once again I apologize
Thanks for the help

 

[RobFurn]

Thanks Taylortwocities you answered my question on the crimps.
I must admit I thought the first reply I had was pointless, I came on here to get some info to make sure I had done a safe job, and what was the first reply, a smilie, even the second reply seemed very flippant to me. If I had not expressed myself correctly then I apologize, but the reason people like me come on this site is to learn from you experts, and make sure we do not do anything dangerous to others as well as ourselves. I do not wish to offend anyone, but we do not all understand "sparky talk" I thought I had phrased my question well, but obversely I did not, as one person said "it sounds like a bodge job" and "he bet I had not earthed the armour" although I cannot figure out how he could tell that from my question.
Once again I apologize
Thanks for the help

Its just friendly banter spook don't be to alarmed, BTW it was me who said it looks like a bodge job but I did reconcile that by giving you all the current ratings and guidance on connector block ratings and when to crimp and when not to crimp so their you go, You got the thumbs down initially as you didn't fully explain what you had done, you simply said you had connected SWA to T&E with a connector block no mention of adaptable box or using a gland etc. Best to give the full details or you will get moaned at but like I say its part of the forum banter. Please feel free to have a moan back

 

[plugwash]

]
Only use thru crimps. bullet and and socket crimps are not allowed on main voltage!

Hmm the parts catalogs i have certainly list them as rated for mains and blade recepticles are used for mains stuff inside equipment quite a lot.

Do you know of any reg prohibiting use of them in mains wiring?

 

[Taylortwocities]

IF they are appropriately rated then no problem but the point of my comment, in the context of the post, was that if you use crimps you do not need to make the joint accessible as the connection is considered permanent.

I would contend that a bullet & socket crimp set is not permanent and, if you use that, then you would have to leave the joint available for inspection.

 

[bernardgreen]

]
Only use thru crimps. bullet and and socket crimps are not allowed on main voltage!

Hmm the parts catalogs i have certainly list them as rated for mains and blade recepticles are used for mains stuff inside equipment quite a lot.

Do you know of any reg prohibiting use of them in mains wiring?

The joint between bullet and socket is not "gas tight" so corrosion can occur and reduce the contact area until a high resistance heat generating joint is created.

Crimped joints when properly crimped have a cold welded ( friction / compression weld ) area which is gas tight and therefore corrosion into the area is unlikely. The rest of the metal can be corroded but the welded area maintains a good connection.

 

[equitum]

]
Only use thru crimps. bullet and and socket crimps are not allowed on main voltage!

Hmm the parts catalogs i have certainly list them as rated for mains and blade recepticles are used for mains stuff inside equipment quite a lot.

Do you know of any reg prohibiting use of them in mains wiring?

Reg 526-04-01: Except for the following every connection or joint shall be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance:

(iii) a joint made by welding, soldering, brazing or compression tool

Since a bullet and socket crimp connection is not made by a compression tool (the crimped male and female parts are, the joint is not) it would have to therefore be accessible - Taylortwocities point.