Aaaaaargh - Help!!

[bixy]

After spending a whole morning wiring up a junction box and ripping my hands to pieces in the process, I wondered if there might be a better alternative to the dreaded choc bars. I'm sure I've seen a connector somewhere which just entails pushing the wire into the terminal. Any help greatly appreciated.

Patrick

[Mr Wiggy]

Hi Patrick.

I used a similar type of connector, it's a crimp and shrink (heat-sealed), push in the wire, crimp it, then gently warm the insulation until it shrinks, which then makes it water tight. Job Done.

[sid]

There are quick-fit (push fit) connectors for various wire sizes. They take up much less room in a "boite de derivation", as well as being quicker.

http://www.carl-elec.com/electricte_generale/connexion/255/36/borne-connexion-sans-vis-nylbloc-auto-pour-3-conducteurs-.html

Available for 2 -5 conductors (edit although further down the same page it says for "rigid or souple". I think I would struggle to push a mulitcore in there, but then I prefer to use the rigid for houe wiring anyway.). 

Sid

[bixy]

Thanks for those replies. I will look out for the screwless connectors.

Patrick

[AnOther]

A small word of caution regarding push connectors:

If you're talking about any sort of current carrying capacity push fit connections will never be as safe or secure as choc-bloc. To a greater or lesser extent choc-bloc compresses the wire increasing the area of contact whereas push fit will compress very little, if at all, so you end up with just small points of contact which can, in turn, generate heat and......well you know the rest..

You might draw a rough analogy with a car tyre: Flat (compressed) the area of contact with the road is quite large, inflated there are only a few cm2 of actual contact.

[bixy]

Thanks for the warning. Do you think the push connectors are ok for a lighting circuit - 3x60w lamps?

Patrick

[AnOther]

Yes, absolutely no problem.

I'll admit I'm being over cautious and didn't mean to worry you it was just that your initial comment about cutting your hands to pieces suggested that

you might have been working with bigger cables for which push-fits may not

have been appropriate, that was really the point of my comment.

As with any electrical item if you respect the specifications and manufacturers instructions they are perfectly safe [;-)]

[Chancer]

In fact most if not all DCL lighting fittings, which have to be used for CONSUEL have push fit terminations.

[bixy]

Thanks to all. I have now found the push connectors in Bricomarche and they work a treat. They disconnect too.

Patrick

[Nick Trollope]

[quote user="AnOther"]A small word of caution regarding push connectors:

If you're talking about any sort of current carrying capacity push fit connections will never be as safe or secure as choc-bloc. To a greater or lesser extent choc-bloc compresses the wire increasing the area of contact whereas push fit will compress very little, if at all, so you end up with just small points of contact which can, in turn, generate heat and......well you know the rest..

You might draw a rough analogy with a car tyre: Flat (compressed) the area of contact with the road is quite large, inflated there are only a few cm2 of actual contact.

[/quote]

Sorry, but the converse is actually true; The "borne automatique", use a sliding contact, which makes a long contact down either side of the wire. Choc block screws tend to ease slightly over time (as do all non-locked bolts), reducing the effectiveness of the contact. All the electricians I know use them, not just because they are faster (they also cost alot more).

No pro fittings (sockets, switches, etc) use screw contacts any more - only those stocked by the likes of BricoDepot.