Earth-less Sockets!!!

[PBC_1966]

Probably, cable was multi stranded cable with the CPC made up of 3 strands.

That would be 7/.029 then - It was the only standard size T&E with a 3-strand earth.

 

[Iggifer]

Untitled

• Iggifer
• 3 Nov 2012
• 2

Untitled

• Iggifer
• 3 Nov 2012
• 2

Thats what proper ally T+E looks like

 

[PBC_1966]

And diving into my U.K. photo archive, here's 7/.029 with tinned copper strands:

 

[eveares]

Just had a thought, why are most modern t&e cables not tinned any more?

 

[JohnW2]

Just had a thought, why are most modern t&e cables not tinned any more?

What purpose would it serve? It might be more appropriate to ask why they were ever tinned. If they had been steel, I could have understood.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Iggifer]

AIUI tinning is mostly to prevent oxidation, so makes sense in harsh environments, but if you need to tin copper to protect it in your house, you've got bigger issues to deal with

 

[JohnW2]

AIUI tinning is mostly to prevent oxidation, so makes sense in harsh environments, but if you need to tin copper to protect it in your house, you've got bigger issues to deal with

That was my point.

Kind Regards, John

 

[stillp]

In the days when houses were heated by coal fires there were sufficient sulfur compounds in the air to tarnish copper quite rapidly.

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Also tried to get fit a 20mm open grommet where the cables enter the back box as it was missing, but the knock out where the cables enter was some size less than 20mm and the cables feeding it after all are buried in a solid stone wall so are unlikely to move.

If they are buried and the cables are not going to move a great deal, I would squirt some silicone around the cable entry.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

The cables aren't going to move about at all.

I would consider how long they had been there already, examine how much damage has already occurred to them, and use those to inform my decision on whether I needed to retrofit protection to them.

 

[stillp]

The cables aren't going to move about at all.

The cables are likely to move if the socket to which they are connected is removed and replaced.

 

[eveares]

The cables are likely to move if the socket to which they are connected is removed and replaced.

True, but it's a tight fit - not sure what's best, to cut the grommet down or to use silicon? There are two 7/.029 cables coming into the back box through a hole less than 20mm in diameter.

 

[stillp]

Personally I'd cut the grommet down, thus avoiding any problems of incompatibility between the silicone and the cable sheath. Some silicones give off acetic acid as they cure, which, trapped in a backbox, might cause tarnishing of the contacts in the socket.

 

[eveares]

Ok, I will try next time I open the socket up. Would I glue the grommet back together before fitting it?? It was a tight fit as it was getting the two cables through the grommet in the first place. FYI, the hole size where the cables enter is about 1/2" inch with the cables only just fitting through.

 

[JohnW2]

Ok, I will try next time I open the socket up. Would I glue the grommet back together before fitting it?? It was a tight fit as it was getting the two cables through the grommet in the first place. FYI, the hole size where the cables enter is about 1/2" inch with the cables only just fitting through.

As you are implying, from what you have described, I think you will probably struggle to get the grommet in. If you are going to try, I think my personal inclination would probably be not to attempt to glue it back together.

If you feel you must do something, how about some of that flexible/cuttable 'grommet strip'?

There are some grades of silicone, designed for electrical use, that do not give off acetic acid vapour during curing. Although it wouldn't matter for what you're doing, as I have discovered to my cost, most 'ordinary' silicone sealant (that which does give off acetic acid vapour) can remain quite (electrically) conductive for several days until it is fully cured!

Kind Regards, John