Crimping tool - DIY use

[Spark123]

BS7671:2008 may not deal with the actual construction of the accessories but it does deal with the use of the accessory.
I don't think the push fit connectors comply with being inaccessable either, what BS are those connectors made to?

 

[electronicsuk]

lol

(v) A joint forming part of the equipment complying with the appropriate product standard.

113.1 The Regulations apply to items of electrical equipment only so far as selection and application of the equipment are concerned. The regulations do NOT deal with the construction of assemblies which are required to comply with the appropriate standard.

BS60670-22
Junction Box

Now are pushfit terminal blocks maintenance free... i think so!

How exactly does this apply to pushfit terminals? You're interpreting the regs in such a way as to see what you want to see.

 

[pushwire]

What BS are screw terminals made to?

When have you seen a screw terminal carry a safety standard mark?

All the pushfit terminals carry safety standard marks lots of them covering many regions of the world.

Is there a standard for terminals... nope because pushfit terminals are not manufactured to a standard but they are tested to a standard and that will depend on where in the world they are to be used to ensure they are fit for purpose within the local electrical systems. When they pass they are issued with a safety standard mark to show compliance within that area.

In short a suitably certified pushfit terminal that has been tested within an enclosure to BS60670-22 ---> maintenance free junction box. Note the two things must be tested together in order to comply with the reg's
ie

(v) A joint forming part of the equipment complying with the appropriate product standard.

 

[RF Lighting]

Have a look at part 2 (definitions) in BS7671:2008

Electrical equipment (abbr: Equipment). Any item for such purposes as generation, conversion, transmission, distribution or utilisation of electrical energy such as machines transformers, apparatus, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring systems, accesories, appliances and luminaires.

Which of those above relates to pushfit connectors?

 

[pushwire]

wiring system, accessory ... take your pick.

 

[Spark123]

What BS are screw terminals made to?

When have you seen a screw terminal carry a safety standard mark?

Normal screw terminals as part of a JB? Never as they are part of the JB and part of the standard that the JB is built to.
Terminal block? The last stuff I used had a whole lot of markings on it including CE, RU, Kema-keur.

 

[RF Lighting]

Wiring system. An assembly made up of cable or busbars and parts which secure and, if necessary, enclose the cable or busbars.

Nope, not one of those

Accessory. A device, other than current-using equipment, associated with such equipment or with the wiring of an installation.

If you think they are an accessory, which standard explicitly details their sutibility for use as an accessory which does not need to be accessible for inspection, testing and maintanence?

 

[pushwire]

Yes definitely one of those.
All pushfit connectors have busbars it's a fundemental requirement it's what joins all the cores together within the connector. In fact that description is spot on.

Accessory....
Junction Box Standard BS60670-22 with Maintenance Free Terminals.


CE
"CE marking is a declaration by the manufacturer that the product meets all the appropriate provisions of the relevant legislation implementing certain European Directives"

Now given this is the crowd that gave us straight bannana's that could mean anything.

For example your accessory could be CE because it passes Toxicology legislation. In other words it carries a CE because it won't poison you if you lick it !!!

CE isn't ostensibly Technical though for sure there will be legislation that refers the relevant EUROPEAN standards (BS7671 isn't one of them).

 

[Spark123]

Maybe so, but what about the others markings?
BSEN60670-22 doesn't have a maintenance free terminal section in it.

 

[flameport]

Regardless of what manufacturers might call their products, there is no such thing as a maintenance free terminal.

The fact that the spring terminals are designed so that wires can be removed from them shows that these are not permanent connections, and therefore cannot be considered 'maintenance free'.

Those Wago boxes also have another significant flaw - the lid is just snapped shut, and can therefore be opened without the use of a tool. Because of this, they do not comply with regulation 416.2.4

The only way to ensure the connection is really maintenance free is to make the connection permanent - either by soldering/brazing, or crimping (which is effectively cold welding).

 

[ban-all-sheds]

1) I suspect that given his user name, pushwire may have a commercial interest in these types of connectors.

2) Whether maintenance free or not is irrelevant, the regulations on accessible joints do not admit that as an exemption.

3) Claiming that "A joint forming part of the equipment complying with the appropriate product standard" means that pushfit connectors don't have to be accessible for inspection, testing and maintenance is bizarre (but what can you expect from someone who believes that nonsense about straight bananas )

4) Anybody who uses that type of connector where it won't be accessible and issues an EIC has falsely signed the certification.

 

[Softus]

Now are pushfit terminal blocks maintenance free... i think so!

How many qualified people have you found that have agreed with you?

 

[IJWS15]

It is surprising how much discussion a simple question can stimulate.

As a DIYer my intention is not to do anything that an electrician would pick up on if testing the house for compliance when I come to sell it.

Based on the discussion here all but one would say push-fit connectors do not meet the regs so I would be foolish to take the chance and use them.

 

[pushwire]

The regulations do not preclude innovation.

http://download.hager.com/hagergrou...Product_Information/Final FAQMFJBBS7671V2.pdf

If a product is clearly maintenance free by it's design and has been tested to show that it is maintenance free then to argue that it's irrelevant seems a little irrational.

416.2.2.3 and 416.2.4 Also states if the intermediate barrier provides a degree of protection to IPXXB or IP2X then a key is not required. Pushfit connectors are insulated to that degree. Of course a pushfit connector can be removed without a tool or key but it clearly states that the barrier is to prevent unintentional contact with live parts. Guess what taking the connectors out of their enclosure and then removing them is not an unintentional act. Also the reg's clearly state that it is the "insulating barrier" that needs to be removed. Now if anyone wants to argue they could bite the the pushfit connector to break it. I give up!



Hands up i'm wrong about the banana's being straight.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/6481969.stm

It was the other way round they didn't like curved ones

 

[Softus]

If a product is clearly maintenance free by it's design and has been tested to show that it is maintenance free then to argue that it's irrelevant seems a little irrational.

A thing seeming irrational to you is not the same as that thing actually being irrational.

Anyone can design, build, and test a new product that they then claim is maintenance free.

Nobody is required to then prefer that new product to an existing technique (e.g. crimping) that has been proven to be maintenance free.

What's irrational is the preference of a product that allows optional disconnection of conductors, by design, over a product that doesn't, when the intention is never to disconnect the conductors.

I give up!

Please don't. Please continue to the point where your vested interest in pushfit connectors is revealed, and your shabby motivation to promote them becomes plain to the people you're trying to blind with science and regulations.