Maintenance free vs accessible

mmm, seems it isn't fully insulated which kinda defeats the object IMO. Rolling your own seems to have the same problem.
What about hinging them all as close together as possible[code:1] O
/|\[/code:1]
and using a heat-shrink end cap or boot?
 
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Screw connections can loosen due to heating/cooling of the cable, or vibration, or movement of the cables.

Allegedly.

Whether this actually happens is another matter.
I have found old JBs with loose terminals. I have also found old ones with no loose terminals. (Old meaning 20+ years, 40 or more in some cases).

Were the terminals never tightened properly? Did they loosen over time? There is no way to know (unlike a consumer unit this week which had ALL of the screws in the earth bar completely loose - the wires were literally falling out! Installed less than ten years ago.)
 
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I have found old JBs with loose terminals. I have also found old ones with no loose terminals. (Old meaning 20+ years, 40 or more in some cases).

Were the terminals never tightened properly?
You can hear when those big brass grub screws are properly tight..
 
Theres a lot of limp-wristed sparkys out there, I know that from checking immediately after on site, however, I've found my own connections loose on a highly loaded crcuit a couple of years after initial install, so it is true.


As far as 3-way crimped connections are concerned, they are not available for a reason! You'd love a PIR where you have no idea where a joint has been made oroperly or not wouldn't you, think not, i'd prefer to join all cables by thru-crimping to an accessible point.
 
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So it it loose connections thats the problem with them.

Then why not glue them down too?
Hot melt glue is commonly used in manufacturing for sealing & can seal the terminal so it does not come undone yet can usually be easily dug out.
 
My personal view about "maintenance free jn boxes" is...


1 - Use to replace lighting jn-box wiring under landing hatch at stairs only

Landing at stairs is the only place where furniture will not be placed.
Under a proper hatch re fein multimaster cut & ideally hinged so obvious.
If any chance of obstruction use a prefab hatch in the ceiling.

Lighting by jn-box can be useful if lots of downstairs spots & so on.
Pretty obviously for any big install its better to use just a **** off big adaptable box with DIN rail & Wago terminal blocks, dymo label etc.


2 - Use for hatch above spotlights

Tighter BR re cold bridging makes this one more difficult (and in my view perhaps good re either overheated lights & condensation). Wonder how many 100,000s of badly installed (no FR hat) there are in the UK.


3 - For other usage, why bother when you can just use a 1G or 2G box near a ceiling & Wago Lever (222-412/413/415)?

Simply, it makes I&T simple, easily extended re bigger box (2G) if needs be. WAGO are a little limited re 5-way, could do with a tab & screw hole.
 
Surely designing the installation to avoing having to use any type of joint box would be the best idea?
 
RF, sure, jn-boxes should always be designed out.

In some instances a jn-box can be useful for "star" topology.
- Jn-box takes supply & stars off to LNE each room
- Each room receives LNE via 4-8 way grid switch
- Grid Sw supply ceiling, wall, picture, floor, table lamps, projector etc

Loop-in-at-switch eliminates that jn-box - if newbuild or refurb.

Similarly smoke alarms may need to be wired in a "star" topology.
- Getting multiple wires into one terminals can be difficult
- Surface 1G jn-box w/Wago at ceiling level can make things easier
- Better, many alarm makers do a surface pattress with wiring space

Depends on the layout of the house, existing oval capacity etc.

Yes design jn-boxes out, if not try to make directly accessible.
 
As far as 3-way crimped connections are concerned, they are not available for a reason!
It seems they are...


You'd love a PIR where you have no idea where a joint has been made oroperly or not wouldn't you, think not, i'd prefer to join all cables by thru-crimping to an accessible point.
Maybe it's the long weekend getting to me, but I can't think why a 3-way is any worse than a 2-way....
 

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