Lidl are selling sets of IDC type conectors of various sizes. They look like Scotch Locks sold under their usual instore brand name. They are rated for mains voltages, but no mention of an enclosure. Are these actually complient with the regs?
I cannot see any mention of them being mains suitable. I think I would confine their use to low voltage applications even hough some of them may be able to pass a high current.
Richard
Doesn't say anything about them being mains rated here. Are the crock clips mains rated too? ;-)
Having come across these things in bodged add ons to cars often enough, the spawn of the devil. Ideal to last just longer than any warrenty. And then require attention.
High current is more likely in low voltage applications.
Bill
I'm going in tomorrow for the half price smoked salmon (sat/sun only)
I'll have a closer look.
Being pedantic, we know what you mean, but officially mains *is* low voltage.
SteveW
When ringing around to find someone who could supply and fit a towbar to our new motorhome, one of my key requirements was no Scotch Locks. It was depressing how many tried to convince me they were fine if used properly. Needless to say, none of those were selected. What is more, the company selected, supplied a custom harness which fitted between two existing connectors which was no more expensive than the bodge solutions. All totally integrated with the existing vehicle lights etc, fog light switching, indicator warning..
It happens that Brian Reay formulated :
Horrible things indeed and guaranteed to produce difficult to trace problems down the line. All it needs to cause problems, is a little moisture oxidising the wire.
It cost me (installing myself) £140 less the cost of the cheap universal relay adaptors. Well worth the extra for the can-bus diagnostics which confirmed the light on the trailer were working properly.
pedantic and wrong.
"UK Mains Supply Voltages
The electrical supply voltage that powers your critical power, essential and non-essential systems is generated at a high voltage which is then transformed along the UK power distribution network down to the three phase and single phase voltages that you connect to.
The European electrical AC voltages are classified in terms of High Voltage (HV), Medium Voltage (MV) and Low Voltage (LV). The International Electrotechnical Commission has classified the voltages into the following levels (IEC 60038).
Low Voltage (LV) up to 1000V Medium Voltage (MV) 1000V to 35kV High Voltage (HV) 35kV to 230kV Extra High Voltage above 230kV"
UK defines Extra Low Voltage (ELV) as below 50V ac.
SteveW
I bought some:
They seem similar to Lucar connectors but more substantial - overall, I wouldn't bother, taking them back.
"Touch this terminal. It's only low voltage."
Neither do I, but in a similar context Wago mean seven strands or fewer. Flex usually has a lot more strands.
Yes. Of course some makers to have provisions for towing electrics. Although if you have to buy their loom or adpators, could cost more than generic bits. Cars can be a pretty hostile environment for connectors - damp etc - and what might work OK in the lab can soon give problems there.
That is a point of view officially applied to UK mains electrical installs due to it being the take of the power companies. Ask any qualified EE and few would ever describe 230v or 240v ac as low voltage. Of course there are always people who seize upon the first official words they find and declare them the unquestionable absolute truth, regardless of any other facts ever.
NT
Well, It's something I learned some 60 years ago and I am a Chartered Electrical Engineer.
The point is that as the official definition is up to 1000V ac for Low Voltage, we should actually be using the term Extra Low Voltage, so as not to end up misleading people, who do not know better, that Low Voltage is safe.
While we all know that the common usage of Low Voltage is not the same as the official usage, it is good to point out from time to time that the term, as used, can be dangerously misleading.
SteveW
I used the GM part as it was cheaper than the almost identical Witter parts but half the price. I think it was £85 and was a harness with a 13 pin socket some electrics and connected to the canbus.
It does things like disabling the rear fog lamp when a trailer is connected as well as checking all the lamps on the trailer.
It just plugs in except for one wire that I had to crimp onto an existing wire.
That confirms it then, I wasn't daydreaming Max 250V... risk of electric shock.
If that's not an ivertation to those who don't know better to use them for mains I don't know what is. A case for trading Standards?
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