Somewhat OT electrical wiring-related question

[Monkeh]

Bare CPCs, twisted solid cores, 'covered for safety' (it's called not working live).. The 70s called, they want their wiring practices back.

[IanB]

Bare CPCs, twisted solid cores, 'covered for safety' (it's called not working live).. The 70s called, they want their wiring practices back.

So how would you make a compact splice between three or more wires if you you couldn't use a wire nut?

[Monkeh]

Bare CPCs, twisted solid cores, 'covered for safety' (it's called not working live).. The 70s called, they want their wiring practices back.

So how would you make a compact splice between three or more wires if you you couldn't use a wire nut?

Cage clamp, screw terminal..

[AlfBaz]

In oz we refer to them as BP connectors. Fairly certain BP stands for blue point, probably a brand name...
They come in different sizes or amperage ratings. Single screw variety for active and neutral, double screw for earth


I've only ever seen those twist on thingies inside cheap arse consumer gear

[richard.cs]

Wire nuts have been banned in the UK for decades, the twisted joints were unreliable, lacked machanical support, and had a tendancy for the conductors to snap off at the start of the twist. The wire nut has also been known to fall off leaving exposed copper.

Modern UK practice is to use either crimps or screw terminals, although there is a move towards wagos at the moment:

Chocolate block is common in the UK, and is similar to the Australian stuff linked by AlfBaz except cables can be inserted from both ends (but don't have to be) It comes in srips of 12 that can be cut down and used individually if needed.
 

[4to20Milliamps]

You folks are clearly NOT electricians.

 

Those little screw terminal connectors are fine for small super fine wire, definitely not for 14 or 12 guage.

[richard.cs]

Those little screw terminal connectors are fine for small super fine wire, definitely not for 14 or 12 guage.

The largest size choc block in common use here takes 16 mm² conductors, that's just under 5 awg. So you can join two 5 or 6 awg wires end to end or splice 3 or 4 wires together each 8-10 awg. They come in many sizes for small or large conductors. Sometimes they're the most appropriate connector for the job, other times it's better to use a proper junction box like these ones:

[Kevin.D]

those choc boxes are crap ,they feel really really cheap .I used those waggo boxes ,and waggo connectors the other week they seem really good .

[richard.cs]

those choc boxes are crap

Yeah they're not great but I'd use them for temporary stuff. Just happened that the photo I picked had one of those boxes rather than any other enclosure.

[AlfBaz]

You folks are clearly NOT electricians.

 

Those little screw terminal connectors are fine for small super fine wire, definitely not for 14 or 12 guage.

if 14 gauge is about 2.5mm2 you can easily fit 3 x 7 strand wires twisted together with pliers in a standard 10 amp BP connector (ie the one shown in the picture)

[dfmischler]

You folks are clearly NOT electricians.

 

Those little screw terminal connectors are fine for small super fine wire, definitely not for 14 or 12 guage.

if 14 gauge is about 2.5mm2 you can easily fit 3 x 7 strand wires twisted together with pliers in a standard 10 amp BP connector (ie the one shown in the picture)

In the US, 14 gauge circuits are specified for up to 15 amps, and this is the minimum common circuit breaker size, so all connectors etc. must be rated for a minimum of 15 amps.

[AlfBaz]

In the US, 14 gauge circuits are specified for up to 15 amps, and this is the minimum common circuit breaker size, so all connectors etc. must be rated for a minimum of 15 amps.

Yeah we have 240V here so we don't need so many amps. Our outlets are generally rated for 10A. We do have 15A outlets that look very similar but have a wider earth pin so you can't plug a 15A device into a 10A outlet

[SeanB]

I prefer crimped connectors myself, a lot more reliable if done right. Then again I use a lot of ceramic wire nuts as well, and have removed some that have been in place for 40 years plus ( install date on the fitting was 6 March 1967, it is almost the same age as me) that have given no problems over the decades.

[Monkeh]

You folks are clearly NOT electricians.

 

Those little screw terminal connectors are fine for small super fine wire, definitely not for 14 or 12 guage.

I have screw terminals in use on 3 gauge. Screw terminals are actually not suitable for fine wire (or fine stranded in general).

[4to20Milliamps]

You guys use 3 gauge for control circuits? No wonder you don't use wire nuts. 

http://www.altex.com/Belden-18AWG-2-Conductor-Shielded-Twisted-Pair-Cable-8760-BEL-P140298.aspx

http://www.okwelectronics.com/pcb_terminal_blocks.html?gclid=CPKA86fUpLgCFY9xQgodVmQALw

Back to the subject of wire tracing.....

I've built both of those  circuit tracer circuits and they work well unless the wire is in conduit or very far under ground, and since the grounds are tied together and in close proximity to the wires you are tracing, you will find the signal all over the place, so if you are going to design a circuit those things should probably be taken into consideration.