Junction box challenge solved - almost

[RobinClay]

I thought this little tip might be useful.

I have been installing two-way switching to the upstairs passage lights.

I needed a junction box that would accommodate these eight cables:-

Earth

Live in
Neutral in

Live out to next light
Neutral out to next light

Switched live out to passage light 1
Neutral out to passage light 1

Switched live out to passage light 2
Neutral out to passage light 2

Brown to intermediate switch
Blue to intermediate switch

Brown from intermediate switch
Blue from intermediate switch

Red to two way switch 1
Yellow from two way switch 1
Blue from two way switch 1

Red from two way switch 2
Yellow to two way switch 22
Blue to two way switch 2

i.e. seven different terminals.


So I rummaged around and found an old plastic surface-mounting box, and into this I put a 7-bar "chocolate block" connector. The knock-outs were easy enough to do, and then a new blank cover plate finished the job off neatly.

The only extra cost was the cover plate. Sorted!



And I did the same when I wanted to extend a ring main. I cut the ring main, and then installed a 5-way connector into another (deeper) old plastic surface-mounting box :-

1 Earth

2 Existing Live In
New Live Out

3 Existing Neutral In
New Neutral Out

4 New Live In
Existing Live Out

5 New Neutral In
Existing Neutral Out


Just one point, though - is it acceptable to have just the one earth connector? Or should there be two, to maintain the "ring effect"?

 

[EFLImpudence]

Maintain the ring for the CPC(earth).

 

[PrenticeBoyofDerry]

Just one point, though - is it acceptable to have just the one earth connector? Or should there be two, to maintain the "ring effect"?

You need to maintain the ring, or it is impossible do get correct results on the end to end of the CPC and r1+r2.

Did you leave this joints/junctions accessible and were the connectors rated correctly?

 

[RobinClay]

Maintain the ring for the CPC(earth).

Hi, Neighbour !

I guess we move in different circles. To me, a CPC is a "Certificate of Professional Competence"
https://www.gov.uk/driver-certificate-of-professional-competence-cpc/overview

I always thought of it as an ECC - Earth Continuity Conductor - but I guess things have moved on...


So I went to Wikipedia, where all(?) is explained
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earthing_system
But you might care to visit that - it needs some input !

Thanks for your advice - I'll add another connector.

 

[Scoby_Beasley]

I thought ECC was European Cash Cow.

 

[RobinClay]

Did you leave this joints/junctions accessible and were the connectors rated correctly?

Yes; and Yes.

Or rather, "of course"; and "of course".

But you were right to ask.

Thank you for your comments.

 

[RobinClay]

I thought ECC was European Cash Cow.

English China Clays, actually...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_China_Clays

 

[EFLImpudence]

To me, a CPC is a "Certificate of Professional Competence"

No, nothing like that here.