Connections in consumer units.

Simonslimline · Oct 17, 2015

When say adding a new circuit to a DB/CU do you tend to check all the connections in said DB/CU are sound and tight!

I have come across a few boards recently where pretty much every cable is loose including the main tails literally just sitting in the switch, but no signs of overheating etc, so not much load on them i guess.

Either people are not terminating them properly in the first place or they have loosened over time. I cant see how they can loosen so much though to be honest.

I think maybe the quality that goes in to manufacturing some of the equipment these days also plays a part in this, IE cheap tacky boards/switches etc.

Just thought i would ask as it seems to be a reoccurring situation i see.

Pete999 · Oct 17, 2015

Simonslimline said:
When say adding a new circuit to a DB/CU do you tend to check all the connections in said DB/CU are sound and tight!

I have come across a few boards recently where pretty much every cable is loose including the main tails literally just sitting in the switch, but no signs of overheating etc, so not much load on them i guess.

Either people are not terminating them properly in the first place or they have loosened over time. I cant see how they can loosen so much though to be honest.

I think maybe the quality that goes in to manufacturing some of the equipment these days also plays a part in this, IE cheap tacky boards/switches etc.

Just thought i would ask as it seems to be a reoccurring situation i see.

Yes, and I also checked for temperature with a thermal imagery sensor

Paul.M · Oct 18, 2015

Check them for the amount of time it takes. Besides you are the last person to work on the CU, cover your back mate.

Simonslimline · Oct 18, 2015

Paul.M said:
Check them for the amount of time it takes. Besides you are the last person to work on the CU, cover your back mate.

Oh i always do mate for that very reason.

It only takes a little bit of time as well.

Was just wondering what others thoughts were on this as i think it is certainly important to check them.

telectrix · Oct 18, 2015

terminations can be made tight at the time. over a few hours/days, these can become loose due to copper creep. always best to re tighten after wiggling about.

Marvo · Oct 18, 2015

I'd say you should be checking the tightness of all the terminations every time you have the cover off a CU for whatever reason, not just installing new circuits. As you say inferior quality components and the expansion and contraction of the copper over months or years often leads to loose terminations.

I think Pete has it right, the price of a Flir camera nowadays is pretty low and I'd suggest one should be standard kit for sparkies even in the domestic environment.

Simonslimline · Oct 18, 2015

Marvo said:
I'd say you should be checking the tightness of all the terminations every time you have the cover off a CU for whatever reason, not just installing new circuits. As you say inferior quality components and the expansion and contraction of the copper over months or years often leads to loose terminations.

I think Pete has it right, the price of a Flir camera nowadays is pretty low and I'd suggest one should be standard kit for sparkies even in the domestic environment.

You have given me an excuse to purchase more tools now.

I will have a look in to them.