My Wylex Board - Checking Tightness of Connections.

[kai]

201601-MY-WYLEX-FUSEBOX

• kai
• 12 Jan 2016
• 1

This is my Wylex Board, it appears to be a very well installed job, with neatly terminated cores.

I went and checked the connections after several years of use, and noticed that many connections could be tightened up further (using an insulated screwdriver of course) - it may be a goof idea for people to check their consumer units for tightness every year (if they feel confident of course).

 

[Iggifer]

That may or may not be a good idea. If they've been done up with a torque screwdriver to the recommended torque for that breaker, then you may well be able to tighten them up more. That leads on to the possibility of damaging the copper in the cable (particularly if single strand solid cable) leading on to the possibility of it snapping off.

Obviously we've coped fine for years without torque screwdrivers, but over tightening can be as bad as under tightening.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Well, he did say it may be a goof idea!

 

[Iggifer]

Well, he did say it may be a goof idea!

So he did! Trick post!

 

[securespark]

But are the extension connectors done up tightly in the adaptable box above?

Beware the tails (if there are any) which will be live unless they are isolatable from the supply.

Somehow managed to add this as a comment to your photo, dunno how!!!!

 

[JohnW2]

That may or may not be a good idea. If they've been done up with a torque screwdriver to the recommended torque for that breaker, then you may well be able to tighten them up more. That leads on to the possibility of damaging the copper in the cable (particularly if single strand solid cable) leading on to the possibility of it snapping off.

I suppose the way of avoiding that is to re-tighten then with a torque screwdriver.

Obviously we've coped fine for years without torque screwdrivers, but over tightening can be as bad as under tightening.

It can. However, even if I may be a bit out on a limb, I have mentioned in the past my concerns about how apparently 'loose' connections to MCBs/RCBOs/RCDs etc. can be when tightened to 'just' the recommended torque.

I may be wrong, but I suspect that not all that many electricians routinely use torque screwdrivers.

Kind Regards, John

 

[ban-all-sheds]

This is my Wylex Board, it appears to be a very well installed job

It appears to be plastic. You're gonna die.