Power sockets with 3 cables

[Roger Hayter]

I find you can avoid that by starting with the terminal screw fully unscrewed, at least with most types.

[Adam Funk]

I think MK accessories have that kind of recess now too.

One thing I was wondering about recently --- would it not be better if there were a captive but non-rotating piece of flat brass between the screw & the wires, so that the screw isn't twisting against the wires when you tighten it?

[John Rumm]

BS 1363-2:2016 says:

"11.5 Line and neutral terminals in fixed socket-outlets shall permit the connection, without special preparation, of one, two or three 2.5 mm2 solid or stranded or of one or two 4 mm2 stranded conductors as given in Table 4 of [BS 6004:20121."

"11.8 Terminal screws shall have a declared outside diameter of not less than 3 mm or be not smaller than 6 B.A."

There are quite a number of specs on sockets with screewless connections as well.

[Andrew]

All the original sockets in my 1976-build house had the ends of power cables folded over.

[Dave Plowman (News)]

Then only bend them once. I do accept this needs the skill to get it right first time.

[Mike Clarke]

I'm assuming that folding the end over counts as "special preparation" which would imply that there should never be any need to fold the ends.

[ZakJames]

"Harry Bloomfield"; "Esq." [e-mail]> wrote in message news:qoc0jc$2m8$ [e-mail]...

No it does not.

Never had that.

Yes, that's the real downside with twisting, doesn't allow easy testing, but that's only really necessary with a ring, not a spur.

Twisting is much better when the wires are much smaller than the terminal hole can take. You can see one of the wires get up the side of the screw you don't twist them in that situation.

And still is when the wire gauge is much smaller than the terminal hole can take with more than one wire.

[John Rumm]

There is something to be said for a (lightly) pointed screw end contact directly with a wire, since its easier to get a connection that is gas tight, and so minimises the chance that the contact resistance will creep up due to oxidisation.

[ARW]

Correct.

[invalid]

You can tell an amateur has done it when the wires are folded for no good reason.

[John Miller]

Thanks for all the replies to my original post - interesting to say the least. I've always folded over the ends when installing a single cable into a socket to ensure a better purchase - something I was advised to do by an electrician of many years experience. One lives & learns.

John M

[ARW]

Folding the end over for a single cable is for a good reason.

[Adam Funk]

That's an interesting point. I can see that for a single wire in one of the traditional brass cylinders, but I'm sure some of the sockets & switches I've used recently have flat plates opposite the screws, & wouldn't the pointed screw push two wires apart?

[John Rumm]

If the space is the same width (near enough) as the screw, and we are talking about only a gentle angle of point or dome on the screw tip, then it does not seem to in reality, but does bit into the wire a little.

[Adam Funk]

Interesting, thanks.