OT: house wiring query

[Bruce Varley]

Hi, I've just been up into the ceiling of a relatively new residence we have
a stake in, the wiring is in good nick, but looks like it's been shonkily
installed. Wiring fanouts use heavily overstacked bluepoints, sometimes 4 or
5 cables are rammed in, it's a mess.

The jointing could be separated out into multiple bluepoints but that just
creates more spaghetti. What I'd really like to see is some sort of JB with
nice termination blocks for L, N and E, so that all the cables could just be
led in and terminated. I did consider chocolate block terminals, but they
need to be looped, taking up terminal room and creating another possibility
for hot joints. The best blocks would seem to be solid metal, like the ones
used for earth - can they be used for A and N?

Can't see anything remotely like that on the Clipsal website, is anyone
aware of a good way to handle this situation? TIA

 

[who where]

On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:16:10 +0800, "Bruce Varley"
<bxvarley@weastnet.com.au> wrote:

Hi, I've just been up into the ceiling of a relatively new residence we have
a stake in, the wiring is in good nick, but looks like it's been shonkily
installed. Wiring fanouts use heavily overstacked bluepoints, sometimes 4 or
5 cables are rammed in, it's a mess.

The jointing could be separated out into multiple bluepoints but that just
creates more spaghetti. What I'd really like to see is some sort of JB with
nice termination blocks for L, N and E, so that all the cables could just be
led in and terminated. I did consider chocolate block terminals, but they
need to be looped, taking up terminal room and creating another possibility
for hot joints. The best blocks would seem to be solid metal, like the ones
used for earth - can they be used for A and N?

Can't see anything remotely like that on the Clipsal website, is anyone
aware of a good way to handle this situation? TIA

Clipsal's neutral links are available as active links too - different
colour base/lid. To find more info on the Clipsal site, enter trade
area and search for say "active link".

I've seen their active/neutral/earth links used as fan-out points in
domestic wiring.

 

[Ross Herbert]

Hi Bruce, I have just completed a similar tidying up process of my house wiring.
I prefer the HPM website as it is quite easy to navigate and find info so I tend
to use their products over Clipsal.

The common old junction box and insulated screw terminals is the way to go and
these are available in various sizes to accommodate the respective jointing
situation. See pages 83 and 84 of the installation accessories section of their
catalogue here.
http://www.hpm.com.au/Uploads/HPM%20installation%20accessories.pdf

Ross


On Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:16:10 +0800, "Bruce Varley" <bxvarley@weastnet.com.au>
wrote:

:Hi, I've just been up into the ceiling of a relatively new residence we have
:a stake in, the wiring is in good nick, but looks like it's been shonkily
:installed. Wiring fanouts use heavily overstacked bluepoints, sometimes 4 or
:5 cables are rammed in, it's a mess.
:
:The jointing could be separated out into multiple bluepoints but that just
:creates more spaghetti. What I'd really like to see is some sort of JB with
:nice termination blocks for L, N and E, so that all the cables could just be
:led in and terminated. I did consider chocolate block terminals, but they
:need to be looped, taking up terminal room and creating another possibility
:for hot joints. The best blocks would seem to be solid metal, like the ones
:used for earth - can they be used for A and N?
:
:Can't see anything remotely like that on the Clipsal website, is anyone
:aware of a good way to handle this situation? TIA
:

 

[kreed]

On Nov 23, 10:16 pm, "Bruce Varley" <bxvar...@weastnet.com.au> wrote:

Hi, I've just been up into the ceiling of a relatively new residence we have
a stake in, the wiring is in good nick, but looks like it's been shonkily
installed. Wiring fanouts use heavily overstacked bluepoints, sometimes 4 or
5 cables are rammed in, it's a mess.

The jointing could be separated out into multiple bluepoints but that just
creates more spaghetti. What I'd really like to see is some sort of JB with
nice termination blocks for L, N and E, so that all the cables could just be
led in and terminated. I did consider chocolate block terminals, but they
need to be looped, taking up terminal room and creating another possibility
for hot joints. The best blocks would seem to be solid metal, like the ones
used for earth - can they be used for A and N?

Can't see anything remotely like that on the Clipsal website, is anyone
aware of a good way to handle this situation? TIA

You can buy switchboard "neutral links"
(solid bar with a varying number of screw terminals and a translucent
coloured plastic cover secured by a thumbscrew) in green, red as well
as the traditional black covers. (for three phase gear you might even
be able to get white and blue?)
I have seen them in stock at the Haymans trade counter.
This is probably what you need.

Because of the thumbscrew holding the cover on, rather than proper
screws these wouldn't be safe to put anywhere where the public
(especially kids) might be able to reach them. If in the ceiling,
they might have to be put somewhere where they cant easily be stepped
on, knelt on etc, their cover might not be as strong as the hard
plastic used in a junction box. Probably OK in a ceiling or wall
cavity though

The other alternative, it MAY be possible to buy junction boxes with
internal busbars, though I have not seen them.
You used to be able to buy junction boxes with 5 large screw terminals
moulded into the base (earth with double screws in middle) and a hard
but flexible cover you would prise off with a screwdriver to get to
the innards, but haven't seen them for years.

 

[Marc Hillman]

It is EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for anyone with limited electrical knowledge to
attempt to modify their own house electricals.
It is just as EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for others who are not qualified
electricians to offer advice.

I don't know where to start in describing how wrong some of the advice has
been. If you have to ask such questions - you shouldn't be attempting it.

Get it fixed by a professional. Do you really think you'll save money by
doing this yourself, particularly when there's a risk of fire, or worse,
electrocution?

Forget the wiring - do you have RCD on all circuits? If you must fiddle,
make sure you at least protect yourself.

Get it done properly by someone who actually knows what they are doing.
There are many things 'handymen' can do - mains electrical work is not one
of them.

Marc Hillman
(Licensed Electrician)

 

[kreed]

On Nov 24, 5:38 pm, "Marc Hillman" <7owsx1...@sneakemail.com> wrote:

It is EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for anyone with limited electrical knowledge to
attempt to modify their own house electricals.
It is just as EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for others who are not qualified
electricians to offer advice.

I don't know where to start in describing how wrong some of the advice has
been. If you have to ask such questions - you shouldn't be attempting it.

maybe, as a licensed electrician yourself, you could clarify what
particular bits of advice are wrong
and correct them.

Get it fixed by a professional. Do you really think you'll save money by
doing this yourself, particularly when there's a risk of fire, or worse,
electrocution?

From what I can gather a "professional" made this mess to start with

Forget the wiring - do you have RCD on all circuits? If you must fiddle,
make sure you at least protect yourself.

Get it done properly by someone who actually knows what they are doing.
There are many things 'handymen' can do - mains electrical work is not one
of them.

Marc Hillman
(Licensed Electrician)

 

[Bruce Varley]

"Marc Hillman" <7owsx1j02@sneakemail.com> wrote in message
news:4b0b8d8e$1@dnews.tpgi.com.au...

It is EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for anyone with limited electrical knowledge
to attempt to modify their own house electricals.
It is just as EXCEPTIONALLY foolish for others who are not qualified
electricians to offer advice.

I don't know where to start in describing how wrong some of the advice has
been. If you have to ask such questions - you shouldn't be attempting it.

Get it fixed by a professional. Do you really think you'll save money by
doing this yourself, particularly when there's a risk of fire, or worse,
electrocution?

Forget the wiring - do you have RCD on all circuits? If you must fiddle,
make sure you at least protect yourself.

Get it done properly by someone who actually knows what they are doing.
There are many things 'handymen' can do - mains electrical work is not one
of them.

Marc Hillman
(Licensed Electrician)

It was one of your colleagues that put this mess in. I may get a sparkie to
fix it, even thought I've been engineering industrial electrics for over 30
years. At very least, some technical direction is obviously required, given
the track record IME of the residential electrical trade.