extending socket and lighting cables

[mike15588]

Hi all just joined this forum after having a little read about :smiley2:

My question is simply we are looking to extend our existing sockets to a more suitable height 450mm off the finished floor, also a few pendants centralised in the bedrooms as a rewire had taken place 5 years ago and all cables are surface mounted in trunken.

My question is can we simply use butt connectors crimped in order to get the new length for the ring main cables and with the light fittings?

Thanks

 

[1shortcircuit]

Hi Mike, alterations can be made easily enough but this work will need to be tested correctly to ensure it's safe and notified through the local Authority Building Control.

:thumbsup

 

[telectrix]

Hi Mike, alterations can be made easily enough but this work will need to be tested correctly to ensure it's safe and notified through the local Authority Building Control.

:thumbsup

only notifiable if special location, but will need testing. if the crimp connectors are to be buried in a wall, then they should be heat shrink sleeved .

 

[Marvo]

.....a rewire had taken place 5 years ago and all cables are surface mounted in trunken.

Will the UK regs allow connectors in the trunking? Maybe Wagos?

 

[Johnny-G]

Will the UK regs allow connectors in the trunking? Maybe Wagos?

Crimped connectors, definitely

 

[Marvo]

Crimped connectors, definitely

Are Wagos classed as crimp connectors or does this just mean ferrules?

 

[Johnny-G]

Are Wagos classed as crimp connectors or does this just mean ferrules?

I believe they are now included in the recent amendment as permanent connections, so yeah

 

[telectrix]

crimp butt connectors in trunking every time. cheaper than wagos and take up less room.

 

[Silly Sausage]

crimp butt connectors in trunking every time. cheaper than wagos and take up less room.

and covered with heat shrink tubing.

 

[richy3333]

Could someone explain where in BS7671 there is a requirement to heat shrink the crimps as they are already insulated, or are you using uninsulated crimps?

 

[telectrix]

and covered with heat shrink tubing.

heat shrink not necessary if in trunking.i always stagger the jlints anyway.

 

[Silly Sausage]

Could someone explain where in BS7671 there is a requirement to heat shrink the crimps as they are already insulated, or are you using uninsulated crimps?

It's just one of those good practice jobs. In trunking or conduit etc., abviously not necessary but it just looks more proffesional

 

[MarkieSparkie]

All joints in Live conductors must be made in an accessory or enclosure, 526.5
My ex-apprentice master argued that covering insulated crimps with heat shrink sleeving was in fact bad practice because 1) if the heat applied is too hot it can melt the primary insulation without this being visible. 2) it does not allow the QS or any other inspector to verify that the joint has been made properly and with the correct tool.

 

[malcolmsanford]

Could someone explain where in BS7671 there is a requirement to heat shrink the crimps as they are already insulated, or are you using uninsulated crimps?

Very often material we use is not identified or named in the regs but use of this material will give us adherence to the regulations, heat shrink is one of them, so is a grommet in a back box will help us in reg 522.8.1

So you could cite reg 526.1 for strength and protection or 522.3.1 if the connection is in a humid area.

It is all a risk assessment chances are in a CU or trunking you would not want to heat shrink a crimp connector, but if it was in some trunking in a garage or outside on a wall where there is dampness, you may assess the need of heat shrink to comply with the regs.