Extending lighting cable inside a stud wall

Ah, I've just discovered these Lever Wire Connectors on the Toolstation site, which seem to be made for the job. A pity to buy a multi-pack, though; I'll see if I can find them available singly.

But other suggestions will still be welcome. Thanks.

screwfix sell the 'kosher' wagos, but still in large 50x packs, you can get the genuine ones in smaller 20x packs, or an assortment, not sure how well in works out with P&P

or singly from here

And another follow-up. I just spoke to a local retailer asking about the lever connectors. They only sell them in bags of fifty, but in any case he advised against them, especially for a connection that's going to be sealed inside a wall. He recommended a conventional round screw-terminal junction box, either the usual size or a 2.5" diameter model.

Thanks, Andy (though I have now been advised against them - see my other post).

Whatever method I use, one more question: as I said, I have to extend three earths, two twisted lives and one single live. Can I run just one single earth from the three in my connector to the new switch? And can I take just one single live from the two twisted or should I run both singly and then twist them again at the new switch? Thanks.

Put them in a wagobox and they're considered maintenance free (up to certain current limits which you won't hit on a lighting circuit) look for the MF mark on the box, some older ones didn't have it, but I doubt the Part P police will notice ...

TLC do 10s of many

I've used (insulated) crimps before now I think they are legal

BigClive recently looked at a Wago clone for joining 3-core cable.

He has advised you incorrectly, you are not allowed to use screw connections in inaccessible places ie a stud wall. Wago type connectors are approved for inaccessible places within certain current limitations which a lighting will not exceed. The Toolsatan versions are available in packs of 10, however read the reviews most of the "sparkies" agree they are not genuine Wagos and point out the spring tension is much weaker and as a result do not recommend them so buyer beware!

Richard

One other thing to consider is that cable runs have to be in standard positions when run in walls. The main provision (there are others) is that buried cable runs should be vertical or horizontal from a visible electrical item, and run within the width of the visible item. In this case it's likely that the cable runs vertically down the wall to your present light switch, and is therefore compliant. If you join the cable at the back box position, and then bury the joint in the wall and plaster over it, it will no longer be compliant, and will not show there is a cable at that postion. There is then a good chance that you, or someone in the future, will drill a hole in the live cable.

The easy way to maintain compliance, and to provide access to the joint, is to use a blanking plate to cover the back box, thus replacing the switch, but showing there is a cable in the wall.

You also need to consider the vertical/horizontal rule for the extra cable run that you are planning - and diagonal cable runs are NOT allowed!

Charles F

Thanks for that. I can use a blanking plate, that won't be a problem.

Did you see my other question about extending the cable? The present box has three earths, two twisted live and one single live. Can I run single cables from the earths and the twisted lives to the new switch or should I maintain the separate cables for the run and only join them at the new location?

He has advised you incorrectly...

Thanks for that, and for the Toolstation hint. It's certainly a more attractive prospect to buy ten connectors rather than fifty (though even then the waste is unfortunate) but I shall check the reviews.

Single wires will be fine. One of the exising wires is single, and that is the limiting factor on the circuit anyway. 1mm T & E is probably fine, but if you use 1.5mm on a lighting circuit fused at 6 or 10A it is almost impossible for it to be wrong. Since both wires (which are not the earth wire) are live the blue wire could do with brown sleeving both ends.

Or black with red sleeving depending on how old the reserve of unused cable is.

Thanks to Gareth's and Roger Hayter for the wiring advice. Using single runs will make things a good deal neater.

That's actually entirely the wrong way round. Genuine Wago connectors

For very small quantities you might find better prices on Ebay. The price per connector will be higher but you'll avoid having to pay several pounds for delivery. But be careful to avoid clones, if they clearly claim to be Wago and the seller provides a UK address then they stand a fair chance of being genuine.

I recently got some Wago 221 connectors which seem to be OK from

Still slightly odd that the description is all in «Scorcio!» when they claim to be in Yorkshire

I think TLC Direct also sells Wago connectors in any quantity.