Dressing cables in sockets/ light switches,etc.. possibly with photograph(s)

[JagSingh]

Hi All.

Hope you all are well and extremely busy !!!! Can members kindly please suggest/advise the best practice on how to dress cables in sockets, light switches, etc.

How much spare cable do you leave in back box, and how do you coil this spare cable ?

Seen great work on Consumer Unit Installations in PE magazine titled "Circuit Protection - Reader Gallery", inspiring and a lesson to all.

Photographs would be beneficial.

Kind Regards.
Jag.

 

[telectrix]

with sockets and switches, the first thing is to get back boxes deep enough . as for CUs, some are good with space to dress cables, some are pants. e.g no space behind din rail, too little space above to allow for RCBOs, etc.

 

[Leesparkykent]

I teach my apprentices to cut cables a fist and thumb length and dress the cables so when the socket is pulled forward they naturally go back the same when pushed back.

 

[The Ghost]

Pink stockings and suspenders for my cables.

 

[Leesparkykent]

Pink stockings and suspenders for my cables.

Sounds trashy

 

[telectrix]

I teach my apprentices to cut cables a fist and thumb length and dress the cables so when the socket is pulled forward they naturally go back the same when pushed back.

with my hands, a fist and a thumb leaves about 8" of cable in the back box. a bridge too far IMO.

 

[Leesparkykent]

with my hands, a fist and a thumb leaves about 8" of cable in the back box. a bridge too far IMO.

You must have shovels for hands...With my hands a fist and thumb length is around 6-6 1/2 inch.

 

[Rpa07]

That’s why Tels been married so long - he thought it was 8 inches all this time. I bet he’ll have an ‘old peculiar’ tonight!

 

[Midwest]

Who cares when the front bits on.

 

[The Ghost]

Sounds trashy

Just how they like it!

 

[7029 dave]

Leave as much as you feel, I form my conductors, then push them back into the box first, making sure you steer clear of the lugs, then screw the face plates on. If in conduit etc, cavity, all push about 6 inches back up, nothing worse than no slack.

 

[willy fixit]

I've got a sharpie line about half way along the handles of my 200mm
cutters!
Agree with 7029dave on forming to fit socket/accessory terminals before fitting.
Always leave plenty in switches when its 1.0/1.5mm as its more likely to be fiddled with in the future.

 

[cliffed]

Yea leave enough,on powers sockets just over diagonally across box,light switches the same,connect then push back.

 

[Wilko]

As you've asked for a pic, here's an example of nicely dressed cable vs not-so-much

 

[PEG]

The other issue,is you can arrange conductors perfectly for the accessory you are fitting,but this may prevent a replacement from being easily fitted in the future.
With this in mind,i would always recommend dressing them out generously,even if they look slightly excessive,as long as the accessory goes in and out without strain or packing - less whinging on here in a future post,when some poor sucker has to extend 40 conductors by 2",because of a socket outlet fashion change.