RCBO Neutral lead - to cut down or not cut down?

[Click-Sure]

Most RCBO's come with very long neutral leads, which is good, I'd be the first to complain if they were too short, however, I generally cut them down to size for the sake of a tidy CU.

And how about the white (functional earth) lead, I often cut them down as well.

Your thoughts / critisisms please.

 

[Spark123]

Why not?

 

[Click-Sure]

Just because some frown on it, given that then termination has been made into a nice little pre-formed squared off point ideal for termination, some wuld interpret this as something that should not be interfeared with, I personally, dont.

 

[kevindgas]

Why not?

touche!!

 

[333rocky333]

If you cut the ferrule off you have stranded wire then.
Most neutral and earth bars do not have suitable terminals for stranded wire.
So afaik a new ferrule should really be fitted to conform with 17th regs.

 

[Spark123]

Ferrule or pin crimp would be fine.

 

[Click-Sure]

In most cases it not even a ferrule, just the effect I could acheive using a vice, propane lane and a little solder.

And also, given the csa of the stranded conductor, is that really a consideration relative to the current rating of the RCBO?

 

[Spark123]

Don't tin wires and then put them in a screw terminal!
After a while the solder can flow creating a high resistance join.

The size of the conductor is governed by the rating of the device, cutting it back a bit isn't going to reduce it's current carrying capacity.

 

[Click-Sure]

Its been a long time since i've tinned a conductor!

The size of neutral conductor fly-leads on RCBO's has always been the same as far as I have seen, regardless of the rating, generally at least 10mm2.

 

[Spark123]

I think some of them differ according to size now.

 

[ban-all-sheds]

It's a functional earth - i.e. a signal cable.

That said, if it comes with a bootlace ferrule then you should replace same after shortening.

 

[333rocky333]

check out section 526.8 page 107 regarding multiwire and fine wire

 

[Spark123]

Think that means we either have to use a suitable intermediate connection such as a ferrule of crimp, and as I said above don't tin them!

 

[sparkydude]

I always shorten them both and replace the ends with a bootlace ferrule of the appropriate size,and do nogt forget to mark the white core with some earth sleeve as it is a fuctional earth should be identified as such.

Nick

 

[electronicsuk]

I always shorten them both and replace the ends with a bootlace ferrule of the appropriate size,and do nogt forget to mark the white core with some earth sleeve as it is a fuctional earth should be identified as such.

But white/cream is the colour for functional earth...