Maintence Free JBs (MFJBs)

[Wilko]

Eh? You'll have to explain that one to me!

Hi Archy, The feedback I got from manuf. was that all 3 connectors needed to be fitted within the RH end containment area of the Wagobox (in my pic). That is possible with the 773-104 connectors but not physically possible with the combo I had used. My combo would work perfectly well, baggy pants and all, but it isn't the physical config that was used in the MF testing and subsequent approval.
And V - yes the connectors are not marked MF, just the j box. That was what started me on my little journey to understand this a bit better. I'm still not 100% clear why not, but I think they don't mark them MF because the connectors by themselves do not qualify as MF. But the empty Wagobox does. Somehow that reminds me of a Yes Minister episode...

 

[Richard Burns]

The idea of the maintenance free box is that it has been tested as an assembly under the rather rigorous test conditions and does not fail. If you vary the design of the whole enclosure by making changes then it is possible it would no longer meet the MF requirements.
For the wago box the testing is with the design they have specified anything else has not been tested.

 

[Lucien Nunes]

As Richard points out, a leading cause, if not THE leading cause of bad connections, is bad electricians. Surely they are the ones who should be tested under rather rigorous conditions, not the boxes?

 

[westward10]

Hi Archy, The feedback I got from manuf. was that all 3 connectors needed to be fitted within the RH end containment area of the Wagobox (in my pic). That is possible with the 773-104 connectors but not physically possible with the combo I had used. My combo would work perfectly well, baggy pants and all, but it isn't the physical config that was used in the MF testing and subsequent approval.
And V - yes the connectors are not marked MF, just the j box. That was what started me on my little journey to understand this a bit better. I'm still not 100% clear why not, but I think they don't mark them MF because the connectors by themselves do not qualify as MF. But the empty Wagobox does. Somehow that reminds me of a Yes Minister episode...

I am certain those 222 connectors used to connect the baggy cpcs comply to BS5733.

 

[happysteve]

Wagobox produced a "FAQ" about their boxes, see the handy resource section.

The funny thing is, for years I've been carrying around the maufacturers' instructions in my bits box that claims compliance with BS5733 in case I was ever pulled up about it - I never noticed that the wagoboxes had the MF logo printed on them until wilko's post #19. I guess I'm just not used to stuff being stamped on the inside of boxes!

As for Pete's original post: I use wagos in a wagobox installed as per manufacturer's instructions as a MF joint, if I have to.

How I'm going to make my millions: an MF joint that you can use in the event of cutting though a cable, without adding a short "joining" length and needing two joints. So something that's sufficiently long (3-5cm?) and thin that you could strip the ends off the two bits you've sliced, join them together, then wrap around an enclosure, not much bigger than the original cable, all properly MF.

 

[Guitarist]

Isn't it just hilarious that here we are, professional electricians worrying about whether a connector is in the end segment of an enclosure, when 90% of the population including DIYers, builder, plumbers, handymen etc. simply stick the wires in a chocky block and, if you're lucky, wrap a bit of insulation tape around it.
Then, to top it all, some smiling head of "the electrical industry" on a vast salary tells us how great everything is.

 

[westward10]

Never understood why people wrap connectors in tape.

 

[Guitarist]

Never understood why people wrap connectors in tape.

They must think that it constitutes an enclosure I can only assume.

Actually, forget I said that. I don't think most people even care, just as long as it works.

 

[westward10]

Yeah but you see block and crimp connectors within enclosures wrapped in tape, never understood it.

 

[Richard Burns]

I believe the intent is that with tape over it you cannot accidentally push a metal rod onto a live piece of connector. Because this is just so likely.
Mainly a nuisance and I habitually put my probes through the tape to test for voltage, just causes problems and is a mess to take off, unless it is really old and just crumbles off.