LINE launch the BS5733 maintenance free (MF) kit for Junction Boxes

[Dan]

Dear Forum Member,



LINE is pleased to announce the launch the BS5733 maintenance free (MF) kit for our junction box.

The kit is available in a 3 pole (12 port) 32A or 4 pole (16 port) 20A option. The kit will include a MF connector, a specially labeled cable tie and instructions to be used with the standard LINE K97 enclosure. We hope to be adding additional connectors to the MF range in the near future.

I am sure that you will agree that the LINE MF is the easiest to use most versatile MF Junction box available!

The kits are now available exclusively to forum members through our forum shop. For access to the shop please click on the picture, FORUMSHOP or enter through our banners on the forum.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who offered suggestions during the development phase. If you have suggestions for new products or improvements to other products please get in touch.

Thanks for your ongoing support.

Regards

Farrel
aka "LineProducts"

Click HERE to visit the forum profile of LineProducts, and add them as your friend!

 

[Guest 004]

what is it?

 

[Dan]

I'm not 100% certain as I'm not a sparky, but it seems to work along side the Junction Boxes: LINE JB Kits : for electricians by electricians

 

[Guest 004]

seems like an elaborate through crimp

 

[Dan]

A maintenance free one though?

 

[Ponty Massive]

It's an approved maintenance free JB. You can now use wago's and this enclosure without the worry of having to place a JB in an accessable place!!


Happy days!

 

[LineProducts]

seems like an elaborate through crimp

It's a push in/push button connector. Solid can be pushed in and for stranded press the button down first.

Can accommodate 4 cables of each polarity.

 

[Dan]

That's what I said :frown2:

 

[brman]

It's an approved maintenance free JB. You can now use wago's and this enclosure without the worry of having to place a JB in an accessable place!!


Happy days!

Note quite. what is advertised is the connector unit (and tie wrap/label) to use with the standard Line enclosures. So one of these kits plus a K97 enclosure makes a MF junction box. I believe the enclosure with standard wago (or line) connectors isn't officially maintenance free as the connectors don't fully conform to the correct BS spec. Lineproducts can correct me if I am wrong!

I've just got some. It is the first time I have used Lines enclosures and I like them - nice and easy to use. My only minor criticisms so far are that the MF connectors have pretty strong springs so inserting stranded cable is sometimes fiddly if you don't depress the button fully and the size of the 4 way means it has to be rotated sideways to fit in the K97 enclosures which is slightly more fiddly that then 3 way versions - still much easier than trying to use a standard junction box though!

 

[MarkieSparkie]

Does this have BS EN 60670-22 and BS 5733 type approvals? My interpretation of the standards are that the accessory, junction box or enclosure has to have the BS EN number(s) and MF circle symbol moulded into the product, applied labeling is non-compliant and hence with BS 7671, 526.3(vi) also. So applied labeling suggesting that the accessory is to BS 5733 and MF (no circle) is just 'smoke and mirrors' and should not be accepted as a maintenance free accessory by any QS or scheme assessor.

 

[brman]

The BS5733 & MF "label" is printed on the tie wrap which is used to lock the enclosure closed. So I guess it counts as part of the enclosure and so is compliant.

 

[LineProducts]

Does this have type approval? My interpretation of the standard is that the junction box or enclosure has to have the BS EN number and MF symbol moulded into the product, applied labeling is non-compliant.

The regs say " .... marked with the symbol MF and installed in accordance with manufacturers instrucitons." The kit complies with this and the goes beyond the marking requirements of BS5733."

BRMAN is spot on - the cable tie is an integral component to the enclosure.

 

[Dan]

I'm sure it'll be compliant if it says it is.

 

[LineProducts]

Does this have BS EN 60670-22 type approval? My interpretation of the standard is that the junction box or enclosure has to have the BS EN number and MF circle symbol moulded into the product, applied labeling is non-compliant and hence with BS7671 also. So applied labeling suggesting that the terminals are to BS 5733 is just 'smoke and mirrors' and should not be accepted by any QS or scheme assessor.

You are suggesting some pretty heavy stuff. Please quote the relevant regs you are referring to or withdraw your comments.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

You are suggesting some pretty heavy stuff. Please quote the relevant regs you are referring to or withdraw your comments.

I was just stating my personal opinion and seeking clarification.
Even if you are correct in regard of BS 5733, BS 7671:2008, Amt 1:2011, 526.3(vi) states that the maintenance free accessory must be marked with the MF enclosed in a circle symbol, in the picture above the cable tie on your product is marked MF without a circle and in my view non-compliant currently.

 

[hillbillie]

This looks like it will work well and complies with the being opened by a tool reg but you can also fit a cable tie around a Wago box, which would then comply too.

 

[LineProducts]

This looks like it will work well and complies with the being opened by a tool reg but you can also fit a cable tie around a Wago box, which would then comply too.

Unfortunately (for them) not. It is not just about the labeling. BS5733 involves a very expensive set of tests. The connector used is not certified for use in the wago enclosure.

 

[Guest 004]

does this 'thing' have springs inside?
if not, how does it clamp the cable?

 

[brman]

EDIT: typed too slow, this was in response to MarkieSparkies last post....

It is a circle on the actual product.

As I have just assembled one perhaps these pics might help. I am not sure if I have done this the best way but it was pretty easy.....

1. 4 connector block wired as loop in, loop out, switch and light. (ignore the lack of sleeving!) 1mm2 cable for reference.

2. block rotated ready for going in enclosure.


3. assembled. There should be cable ties as cable clamps but this shows the idea and the labelling.

 

[Guest 004]

@brman no earth sleeving, tut tut

 

[Guest 004]

ok lets open a can of worms

I am kind of warming to this little device, and if people used them then IMO could do away with neutrals at switches!

not sure about the maintenance free bit though.

 

[brman]

@brman no earth sleeving, tut tut

yeh, yeh, I know....... and I didn't sleeve the switch return either
Still, having wasted a couple of foot of T&E testing it I draw the line at wasting sleeving too

 

[brman]

ok lets open a can of worms

I am kind of warming to this little device, and if people used them then IMO could do away with neutrals at switches!

I think I'll stay out of that little discussion

not sure about the maintenance free bit though.

Well you have a choice of either this, the ashley j803 (which uses the same connector design I think) or soldering or crimping.

btw. to answer your previous question, yes- it uses spring clamps with a pretty strong spring force.

I think the whole "maintenance free" bit is a can of worms. I reckon if I was to bury something in a wall then I would probably still prefer to use crimping if I could but that is probably just because I am old fashioned. These little beasties appear to meet the relevant standards as well as anything else available so I'll certainly be very happy to use them when necessary.

Lets face it, a lot of sparks just use wago boxes and connectors which don't even claim to be maintenance free. Actually, a lot of "electricians" just use standard screw terminal junction boxes........

 

[Guest 004]

If something has a moving part (spring) then IMO it is not maintenance free

 

[LineProducts]

does this 'thing' have springs inside?
if not, how does it clamp the cable?

For the cable clamp see: http://www.lineproducts.co.uk/forumshop/K97-A5-inside.pdf

 

[brman]

If something has a moving part (spring) then IMO it is not maintenance free

It is a bit like the arguments about push fit piping. a nice soldered joint gives the feeling of security but push fit has been tested and is supposed to be fine. I reckon both push fit piping and "maintenance free" junction boxes are here to stay.

 

[telectrix]

It's a push in/push button connector. Solid can be pushed in and for stranded press the button down first.

Can accommodate 4 cables of each polarity.

can i have a frrebie to try?

 

[Guest 004]

I would certainly use them, but only if they was accessible after installation. As we know any join needs to be accessible as per the regs.

 

[brman]

I would certainly use them, but only if they was accessible after installation. As we know any join needs to be accessible as per the regs.

Unless it is a maintenance free joint

 

[Top Cat]

The one thing that struck me was, as this is just being launched on an electricians website and half of us looked at the picture and did not know what it was (even after clicking on the picture to see in better detail)
the launch has lost some of its impact.
If you are going to launch something, surely it could have been explained better and with better diagrams.

 

[Dan]

Hence creating a thread so we can all discuss what the score is here. I'm sure by now (bottom of page 2) you're all aware of what it's job is, right?

 

[cbw]

Well I like their products and will continue to use them.....another order shortly.

However has brman put a cpc in with the live conductors????

May be that ive had too many ciders?

Can anyone else see my point?

 

[brman]

Well I like their products and will continue to use them.....another order shortly.

However has brman put a cpc in with the live conductors????

May be that ive had too many ciders?

Can anyone else see my point?

too many ciders!

actually, you are right. how embarrassing......

 

[cbw]

At least we agree that the product is good!!!

The RCD wont reset!!!

Bloomin plasterers, could be the plumber......

I would have spent ages blaming plasterers for damaging my cables!!!!

 

[brman]

At least we agree that the product is good!!!

The RCD wont reset!!!

Bloomin plasterers, could be the plumber......

I would have spent ages blaming plasterers for damaging my cables!!!!

yeh, on second thoughts maybe I should avoid putting MF boxes in inaccessible places......

In my defence I'd been messing round with different cable types/sizes and wasn't taking too much notice of where I put them. It was only an example

 

[Amp David]

Used up my first bag of line enclosures last week. Will be getting another, but can the delivery costs be reduced. Can post something heavier and bigger Special Delivery for less!

 

[1shortcircuit]

I have placed several orders with Farrel now and cannot rate his products or customer service highly enough. As soon as I heard of the new mf range I requested a sample and it was with me the next day.

I hear people mentioning other brands that do a similar thing but I too have tried the hager, ashley and wago enclosures now and the Line enclosure is by far the easiest to work with. I think the main reason for this is because of it's rounded profile that enables YOU to be in control of how you dress the cables in. It also fits nicely through down-lighter cut outs.

If anyone is stuck in their ways and is posting negative comments I really do urge you to contact Farrel and request a sample and actually trial it. It'll cost you nothing for the sample and I'm sure you'll gain a better idea of just how simple and easy to use this product is.

It's so simple and effective that I'm sure there are many out there that wish they had come up with the idea lol

:thumbsup

 

[brman]

Used up my first bag of line enclosures last week. Will be getting another, but can the delivery costs be reduced. Can post something heavier and bigger Special Delivery for less!

free delivery if you order more than £25 of line products.

 

[cbw]

Just to add to the positive comments,

When my guys first saw these they were not impressed....

we have been using hager/ashley/wago etc.......

Well I now have a large stock of hager/wago/ashley as they prefer this product!!!!

We call it "THEM BLACK EGG THINGS" and we are using these more than anything else, just easy to use!


Try them!

 

[rfcses]

Also If the cable tie is removed for testing in the future does this mean the MF marking will be lost ?

 

[Guitarist]

Also If the cable tie is removed for testing in the future does this mean the MF marking will be lost ?

The whole point of this setup is that it's MF, so fit and forget somewhere inaccessible. If for some reason you have to open it up, then another MF cable tie from your stocks will make it conform again.

 

[Amp David]

free delivery if you order more than £25 of line products.

Missed that one TBH.

 

[cbw]

Sounds like people picking holes for the sake of it....

What happens if you lose the cable grip screw out of a ashley/hager MF junction box

Try the product then whinge about stupid things, ill informed critisism for the sake of it.

I still use all the others but at least I can give an informed opinion.

 

[MarkieSparkie]

EDIT: typed too slow, this was in response to MarkieSparkies last post....

It is a circle on the actual product.

As I have just assembled one perhaps these pics might help. I am not sure if I have done this the best way but it was pretty easy.....

1. 4 connector block wired as loop in, loop out, switch and light. (ignore the lack of sleeving!) 1mm2 cable for reference.
View attachment 12029
2. block rotated ready for going in enclosure.
View attachment 12028

3. assembled. There should be cable ties as cable clamps but this shows the idea and the labelling.
View attachment 12027

Thanks mate. It's nice to see some photos of the actual product. A picture is worth a thousand words, I think this thread has just about proved that at least.

 

[steve.b]

Do's the EARTH that is in with LIVE go to the light or the switch????

 

[Steve_P]

What happens if you lose the cable grip screw out of a ashley/hager MF junction box

Errr put another screw in it?

Seriously though, I've used wago/hellerman but made up enclosures for them as I hate the wagobox with a vengence, the ashley connectors are seriously good. I haven't used these "Black egg thingies" yet but reading through this thread they are sounding like a good alternative and certainly worth a try.

Although . . . . . not being a fix and forget (unless it's crimped/soldered/filled with resin or something) type person, I would still want to be able to get to these joints, just in case.

 

[brman]

Do's the EARTH that is in with LIVE go to the light or the switch????

Neither. the cable stops about 4 inches from the enclosure so it doesn't go anywhere. I've already been pulled up on that one but it was just supposed to be an example of what they look like, not an example of my competence. Honest!

 

[brman]

Errr put another screw in it?

Seriously though, I've used wago/hellerman but made up enclosures for them as I hate the wagobox with a vengence, the ashley connectors are seriously good. I haven't used these "Black egg thingies" yet but reading through this thread they are sounding like a good alternative and certainly worth a try.

Although . . . . . not being a fix and forget (unless it's crimped/soldered/filled with resin or something) type person, I would still want to be able to get to these joints, just in case.

Just a thought but you don't need to cut cable ties to remove them, a small screwdriver under the locking bit releases them fine so as long as the tie hasn't been cut short it can be reused no problem.

 

[cbw]

arrghhh...missing the point

 

[brman]

arrghhh...missing the point

who? me?

I was just pointing out that you can reuse the MF cable tie if you need to as it was being suggested this was a problem. Or have I missed something else?