A Question for Real Electricians ?

This is uk.d-i-y we dont have real electricians on here.

This is perfectly acceptable...what are you supposed to do chase the wall and refit a new lenght of cable because 1/2" has broken off the old cable in the box.

ps whats a real electrician?

I think an inline crimp is the answer, but IANAE. Someone much more knowledgeable will be along shortly....

Yes - it's simply another screw connection like all the others on the ring.

Oh! dear and I thought you was a good handyman? crimping a cable actually cuts into the conducter and weakens it.

Bollox.

In message , George writes

Oh dear, some one here may disagree with that.

Not as much as screwing it up. I prefer crimps, they are quicker to start with as well as being more reliable.

Nonsense. In this circumstance any of the wiring regs approved cable jointing methods would be acceptable (Screwed connections, crimped, soldered, or welded). The most practical being screw terminal or crimps.

Personally I would crimp, it since it leave more room in the backbox and there is no danger of the connection working lose.

Crimp!..

But make sure you use decent crimps and the PROPER crimping pliers;!...

I learned about crimps from people on this group, more knowledgeable than I was. I asked questions, they were good enough to reply, I took their advice. I invested the money in a proper ratchet crimper & used it as instructed - I'm now a better handyman.

It's an excellent solution to short cables.

George coughed up some electrons that declared:

Erm, crimping is recognised by the IEE Wiring Regs and is preferred over screw terminals in inaccessible locations.

Done properly with correctly sized crimps and a decent (ie ratchet) crimper of course...

Cheers

Tim

Succinctly put. A /proper/ crimper is the best way to join wires.

No, merely better informed (and equipped).

Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry Sorry, Couldn't resist it.

It is.

Derek.

And a proper crimp for the job. We had a problem on largeish (IIRC aluminium) cables where the crimp was slightly oversize. Crimping stretched the cable leading to early failure.

No it doesn't (or shouldn't). Personally I don't really like crimps, but they don't cut into a conductor, rather they deform it to compress it against either the crimp or another conductor.

Just like a choc block but rather more consistent if it's done correctly.

Well /a very good way indeed, and one sanctioned by TPTB for use in uingettattable ares/ anyway...

With choc blocks in less accessible places I try to have each solid core going under both screws.

Then there is some redundancy and the cores are also in direct contact with each other.

cheers, Pete.

Good practice even in accessible areas.

Crimping Ally is way beyond my expertise except. I would treat ally conductors with great respect.