external fcu question

[Gavin John Hyde]

Got a job coming up need to install a fcu coming of a RFC in an adjoining office room to power a light circuit. the light circuit will be in a large greenhouse with lots of water being sprayed for the plants and flowers so need suitable IP rating, albeit the FCU will be out of direct contact with water, just covering all bases so using IP66
Looking at BG 13 FCU w/ Neon - https://www.screwfix.com/p/bg-13-fcu-w-neon/27437

Anybody used these? and had any issues getting a 1.5mm 3 core swa with gland in and terminating properly?

 

[SparkyChick]

This is as close as I can get to what you're asking.

As I recall, there was quite a bit of room, but this was back in September... I've slept a lot since then so it's a bit vague.

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Cheers @SparkyChick I expect it will be fine for a small swa gland, you got what looks like a 20mm nylon one in there without too much difficulty and the sizings are alike for the switch enclosure.
I got a couple of methods to get the job done, just planning it out before hand.

 

[westward10]

That stuffing gland does not provide suitable cord restraint.

 

[DPG]

That stuffing gland does not provide suitable cord restraint.

On flex? Why not?

 

[westward10]

Stuffing glands are not meant for cord restraint, I guarantee I could pull that out.

 

[telectrix]

Stuffing glands are not meant for cord restraint, I guarantee I could pull that out.

with sparkychick's wicked feminine wiles, she's probably used gorilla glue. in any case that's not the issue. that gland should have been grey or black, not white. .

 

[westward10]

And the flat sides don't line up.

 

[DPG]

Stuffing glands are not meant for cord restraint, I guarantee I could pull that out.

I could pull most cables out of T&E clips. I could probably pull a security light off a garage wall if I tried.

 

[westward10]

There is a difference between restraint and fixings.

 

[telectrix]

restraint is letting the apprentice off with only 1 black eye. fixing is nailing him to the door.

 

[DPG]

True.

 

[Wilko]

Hi - I have done this (but not sure it was BG) and there's 2 things from memory ... the usual swa gland with plastics (use 2 nuts and banjo or piranha) ... and it is all a bit of a close fit but should work (mock up first?).

 

[Wilko]

restraint is letting the apprentice off with only 1 black eye. fixing is nailing him to the door.

No wonder some young folk are put off apprenticeship, tut tut. One place they had to put a sign up ...

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Hi - I have done this (but not sure it was BG) and there's 2 things from memory ... the usual swa gland with plastics (use 2 nuts and banjo or piranha) ... and it is all a bit of a close fit but should work (mock up first?).

I will do a mock up before wall mounting and messing around with knockouts etc... worse case will be I will use a IP66 box next to the FCU and run a small bit of flexicon between them, I shall terminate the swa into this and run the cores minus armour through conduit to the FCU. It will deal with the space in the enclosure as i know they can be a bit tight with the swa glands. Havent used the BG ip66 FCU before as my usual supplier no longer has any of the ones i would usually use.

 

[SparkyChick]

Regarding the lining up of the edged... I concur they don't line up, however, it's a choice between cut a hole or use the ones provided... and guess what.... none of the ones provided would have allowed for it to line up.

With regards to restraint... I can't recall whether I put a cable tie on the inside. But regardless, I need to learn something today, so what should you use for that situation?

 

[HandySparks]

I generally like the BG outdoor stuff, but the FCU is awful. I used one once, but the flexible membrane eventually goes sticky and opaque. Plus, you can't replace the fuse without taking the whole thing apart.
I now take one of their single sockets and replace the socket plate with a FCU one.

 

[SparkyChick]

with sparkychick's wicked feminine wiles, she's probably used gorilla glue. in any case that's not the issue. that gland should have been grey or black, not white. .

Don't

I went to do the final connections on a kitchen remodel I did the electrics for... panicked when the customer told me they had a snagging list. It went like this:-

1. Faceplate on upside down
2. You've used black cable ties on the white trunking

It was all I had and I needed to stop the top popping off due to a bend in the re-routed tails. And I should add... it was in the garage

 

[davesparks]

Stuffing glands are not meant for cord restraint, I guarantee I could pull that out.

I can pull a flex out of any cord restraint you care to use.
Without seeing the full environment how can you know what strength of cord restraint is required?

Stuffing glands are provided as the means of cord restraint on a variety of trailing plugs, sockets and IP rated cable joints, are all of those manufacturers wrong?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

I generally like the BG outdoor stuff, but the FCU is awful. I used one once, but the flexible membrane eventually goes sticky and opaque. Plus, you can't replace the fuse without taking the whole thing apart.
I now take one of their single sockets and replace the socket plate with a FCU one.

View attachment 41853

I know with the BG stuff the bodies are largely the same but you can swap accessories around if you want.
I have actually just seen on the Denmans website when ordering some other stuff for next week that they stock the empty outdoor accessory box which you can put a fcu, socket, switch etc in. doesnt have the membrane front either. i will have a look when in on Monday. only £7.48 + vat

 

[Dave OCD]

Gavin, maybe you could use a normal FCU in the office then come out through to a weatherproof switch, a bit more roomy for the SWA and gland ?

 

[Gavin John Hyde]

Gavin, maybe you could use a normal FCU in the office then come out through to a weatherproof switch, a bit more roomy for the SWA and gland ?

I have considered that. I have a good variety of IP66 accessories in the back of the van somewhere (it needs tidying!) so will have a play around with various combos and go with what works. Just dont have a outdoors FCU.. dont tend to use them much... It will though be either a FCU or switch in the greenhouse area for isolation purposes. as sometimes the office is locked off but somebody is in the greenhouse area working.

 

[westward10]

I can pull a flex out of any cord restraint you care to use.
Without seeing the full environment how can you know what strength of cord restraint is required?

Stuffing glands are provided as the means of cord restraint on a variety of trailing plugs, sockets and IP rated cable joints, are all of those manufacturers wrong?

If correct cord/cable restraint is employed I doubt you could pull out any one would care use use without causing physical breakage.

 

[davesparks]

If correct cord/cable restraint is employed I doubt you could pull out any one would care use use without causing physical breakage.

Eh?

 

[Rpa07]

Stuffing glands are not meant for cord restraint, I guarantee I could pull that out.

If you come near the house we will have you arrested - now go your own way!

 

[DPG]

If correct cord/cable restraint is employed I doubt you could pull out any one would care use use without causing physical breakage.

You could pull the cable put of most JBs with cord grips. What are you trying to prove?

 

[westward10]

Eh?

Read your first line in #19.

 

[westward10]

You could pull the cable put of most JBs with cord grips. What are you trying to prove?

A correctly employed clamp will stay in place unless you physically break it.

 

[DPG]

I'm out.

 

[Rpa07]

Hold the door I’m coming too

 

[davesparks]

Read your first line in #19.

Read your post, autocorrect appears to have done a number on it, it appears to be half gibberish.

 

[HandySparks]

I now take one of their single sockets and replace the socket plate with a FCU one.

Seems that I'll no longer have to do this myself:
13A Weatherproof Switched Fused Spur c/w Neon - IP66 - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BGWP53.html

 

[HandySparks]

Usual forum issue.

 

[123]

Empty 1 Gang and 2 Gang enclosures are common. Most manufacturers make them. Can then fit whatever you fancy inside them.