What amp choc block / terminal strip is this?

[DIYNotIan]

Hi

I've got some choc block I want to use but it doesn't say what amps it is rated for... It does say 450V, and 2.5 square. It's white. And a strip of 12 measures 94mm X 17mm. Any ideas?

Cheers

 

[rsgaz]

That pretty much matches these ones...

https://docs-emea.rs-online.com/webdocs/1584/0900766b81584e4f.pdf

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thanks rsgaz. So would make mine good up to 24 amps if I'm reading that right???

In case it helps, here some pics of what I've got.

Cheers

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

The amp rating, is more a guide not of current rating, but of the cable sizes you can get into them.

Best current rating is achieved by having the wires overlap, rather than rely on the connector to pass the current. If joining two cable poked into the same end, ensure both push in for the full connector and both screws tighten onto both wires. Likewise, if used inline, push cable in so they fully over lap and both screws tighten onto both wires. That minimises the resistance of the connection and prevents in becoming the weak link.

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thanks for that. Very helpful.

The reason I asked about the rating is because it needs to be used to connect a wall light. And there's not much space behind the light so I need to use as small a connector as I can. So do you think this is ok to use for a wall light?

Cheers

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Thanks for that. Very helpful.

The reason I asked about the rating is because it needs to be used to connect a wall light. And there's not much space behind the light so I need to use as small a connector as I can. So do you think this is ok to use for a wall light?

Cheers

Yes!

But I would use one much smaller.

 

[rsgaz]

connect a wall light.

That won't even be an Amp. Let's say it's 40 watts. 40/230=0.17 amps.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

That won't even be an Amp. Let's say it's 40 watts. 40/230=0.17 amps.

It still would still need to be rated for the circuit protection device, in this case probably a 6amp MCB.

 

[winston1]

It still would still need to be rated for the circuit protection device, in this case probably a 6amp MCB.

Contradicting yourself? The amp rating, is more a guide not of current rating, but of the cable sizes you can get into them.

 

[EFLImpudence]

Plus - overload protection is probably not needed for ONE light.

 

[DIYNotIan]

Thanks for all the replies. So the bottom line is I'm fine using this for the wall light?

Cheers

 

[JohnW2]

Thanks for all the replies. So the bottom line is I'm fine using this for the wall light?

Sure - but, as has been said, a smaller one might be easier to use, particularly if space is limited.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Contradicting yourself? The amp rating, is more a guide not of current rating, but of the cable sizes you can get into them.

Actually, no..

..and overload protection is essential for all components on a circuit, even one wall light..

 

[JohnW2]

Actually, no.. ..and overload protection is essential for all components on a circuit, even one wall light..

I think it is more-or-less a semantic issue ...

... no type of lamp/bulb (and incandescent are obviously the 'worst' in this respect) is really capable of creating an "overload" in the normal sense (a moderate increase in current beyond the In of the OPD) - and therefore, per regs, probably do not need 'overload protection'.

When bulbs/lmps (primarily incandescent) die, they can result in very brief and extremely high currents - in practical terms approaching a 'fault of negligible impedance', and therefore really requiring 'fault protection', not overload protection. I'm sure that we have all experienced MCBs tripping 'instantly' (almost certainly magnetically) when an incandescent bulb has died, thereby indicating that the fault protection (as required by regs) is adequate.

Kind Regards, John

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

I think it is more-or-less a semantic issue ...

... no type of lamp/bulb (and incandescent are obviously the 'worst' in this respect) is really capable of creating an "overload" in the normal sense (a moderate increase in current beyond the In of the OPD) - and therefore, per regs, probably do not need 'overload protection'.

When bulbs/lmps (primarily incandescent) die, they can result in very brief and extremely high currents - in practical terms approaching a 'fault of negligible impedance', and therefore really requiring 'fault protection', not overload protection. I'm sure that we have all experienced MCBs tripping 'instantly' (almost certainly magnetically) when an incandescent bulb has died, thereby indicating that the fault protection (as required by regs) is adequate.

Kind Regards, John

I was taking issue with the 'protection probably not needed' at all.