Extending 2 port valve wires

[robbie77]

Hello,

I am looking at extending the wires on my Honeywell 2 port valves. I have three so have to extend two of them.

A quick search found that I could use two twin and earth cables to make up the six wires but I would rather just use one cable if possible.

I vaguely remember someone saying that perhaps I only need 5 of the wires so can I get a five wire four or five core and earth cable?? and what sort of size?

Lastly what shall I extend them with? Shall I buy some crimps and terminals or use some sort of junction connecting?
Thanks

 

[sparkwright]

You need 5 core flex.

0.75 or 1.0 mm.

Ideally you need a 6 terminal 20 amp junction box, or an enclosure in which you can fit 6 amp terminal blocks.

Either way, the cables need to be securely fixed so they can't be pulled out of the box.

 

[robbie77]

Thanks

I wasn't keen on screwing junction boxes on the wall If I could help it but if needs must I shall. Its only a utility room I suppose!

 

[robbie77]

So it's true that I only need the five wires out of the six on the 2 port valves?

Thanks

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Not exactly, Robbie. But you can get a 7-core flex for the job, if you really want use just one cable (using a joint box at both ends).


Youl'll need: one common neutral, one common earth, one common live to each micro switch, two switched lives to the motors and two live returns from the micro switches. 1+1+1+2+2 = 7.



Lucia.

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Sparkwright: could you explain to me the reason that you've said that only 5-core would be needed?

These are two independent valves. They can share a common neutral and a common earth connection, but the signal to each motor has to be independent as does the return from each micro-switch. So it's 7-core.



Lucia.

 

[robbie77]

Thanks P.O.D

Not sure on the joint box? So do the 2 port valves actually have seven wires?
I was just wanting to extend the wires by just using one wire per valve back to the central terminals. Is that what you were thinking to?

 

[robbie77]

Whoops! Bit hung over! You said common neutral and earth didn't you!

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

No Robbie, a 2-port valve doesn't have 7 wires. But you're on about extending the connections for two valves from one position to another using just one cable, aren't you?

Therefore, you'll need, a common neutral, a common earth, a common permanent live, a switched live to each motor and a live return from each micro-switch.

Five core won't do this.......



Lucia.

 

[sparkwright]

Sparkwright: could you explain to me the reason that you've said that only 5-core would be needed?

These are two independent valves. They can share a common neutral and a common earth connection, but the signal to each motor has to be independent as does the return from each micro-switch. So it's 7-core.



Lucia.

Yes.

I made a mistake.

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Uncommon decent of you Sparkwright. Thank you.


Lucia.

 

[nozspark]

Couldn't you get away with 6 core???

Common Perm live
Common Neutral
Common Earth
Switched live to valve 1
Switched live to valve 2
Common switched out (demand) - these are commoned in the wiring centre anyway!

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

Yes Noz, you could use 6-core - if you could source it for a reasonable price. 6-core is very rare and generally comes in sizes from 4mm upwards. Whereas, 7-core is a 'stock item' in 0.75mm size.

My advice to the O/P is to use two lengths of 3 core&E, if he's a DIYer.



Lucia.

 

[nozspark]

Wasn't thinking of that Lucia

 

[PrinceofDarkness]

You did at least have the correct theory on the number of cores, Noz.....



Lucia.