My 1st board on site advice

[Dustydazzler]

FOR A FIRST ATTEMPT IT LOOKS VERY NEAT INDEED.

I have worked with sparks in the trade for over 25 years who's boards are not nearly that neat.

 

[westward10]

Depends if you have actually cut the fly leads if not the factory ends should be okay. I cut and ferruled these.

 

[FatAlan]

Di

My point about ferrules is a must, you're contravening BS7671 not doing. My other points are merely my opinion.

Did query that on my Elecsa assessment as I’d shortened some of the RCBO fly leads and re crimped the ends. Told that if I hadn’t done so it wouldn’t have been compliant.

 

[davesparks]

Top row, there’s a 16A in between 6A.
Personally, I like to have descending sizes from the main switch.
Bottom row needs more blanks if top and bottom are same number of ways.

Speaking of the mainswitch.... there’s no tails connected yet. Post another photo when they are in and we will constructively criticise then.

Where do you get white t&e that looks like Sky shotgun cable?

It's actually technically better to alternate high and low load mcbs so that you don't have all the highest loaded mcbs next to each other as they are the ones which heat up the most in operation.

Draka started doing T&E that looks like shotgun cable a few years ago, personally I don't like it.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

I’ve used some of the shotgun type T&E, and it was a right pain stripping it back.
I also don’t like cable ties in DBs, mainly because of the hassle it creates when trying to trace circuits, though grouping factors is another issue.
Yes fine stranded wires do need protection in screw terminals, ferrules are neater and more robust than twisting and doubling over.

 

[MrShine94]

S

Depends if you have actually cut the fly leads if not the factory ends should be okay. I cut and ferruled these.View attachment 48658

So if I have not cut the fly leads it’s not a requirement for ferrules ?

 

[MrShine94]

I’ve used some of the shotgun type T&E, and it was a right pain stripping it back.
I also don’t like cable ties in DBs, mainly because of the hassle it creates when trying to trace circuits, though grouping factors is another issue.
Yes fine stranded wires do need protection in screw terminals, ferrules are neater and more robust than twisting and doubling over.

LSF cable is the future unfortunately

 

[davesparks]

S

So if I have not cut the fly leads it’s not a requirement for ferrules ?

If you haven't cut them then the ends should already have a ferrule or ultrasonic weld on them from the manufacturer.
If the ends are just loose strands then they will need ferrules.

The requirementa apply to all fine strands, not just RCBO tails.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Do people generally bother shortening the N fly lead or better to leave long and simply dress down the back of the din bar.
Some RCBOs used to come with those curly whirly N leads which I never bothered to cut and shorten

 

[davesparks]

Yes, shorten the fly lead to suit, otherwise you end up with a massive amount of unnecessary blue cable cluttering up the board.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

S

So if I have not cut the fly leads it’s not a requirement for ferrules ?

Before cutting any neutral or functional earth leads, first check Manufacturer’s Information to ensure they can be cut.
Fine and very fine wires do need protection when used with screw terminals.
For years the practice has been to twist and double over the ends, most commonly in plug tops and lamp holders.
The manufacturers tend to weld the strands together, or crimp them with a ferrule.
Leaving the leads long makes for a messy board, and leaving the leads coiled up creates it’s own problems.
Using ferrules is neat, allows for easier termination and looks quite professional. Just remember not to use Blue insulated ferrules on earth wires.

 

[Bobster]

Blue insulated ferrules on earth wires.

Blue ferrules are 0.75mm (French colouring).

If you have a fine stranded earth from a flex, there is no reason not to use them.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Blue ferrules are 0.75mm (French colouring).

If you have a fine stranded earth from a flex, there is no reason not to use them.

In the UK, blue at the termination of a G/Y wire denotes a PEN conductor.

 

[davesparks]

In the UK, blue at the termination of a G/Y wire denotes a PEN conductor.

Strictly speaking that's true. But I think anyone opening a DB will be able to identify the difference between a blue ferrule and a marker.applied to. Identify a PEN conductor.

 

[Deleted member 26818]

Strictly speaking that's true. But I think anyone opening a DB will be able to identify the difference between a blue ferrule and a marker.applied to. Identify a PEN conductor.

Ferrules come in a variety of colours, blue, red, black, white, yellow, orange, grey, green.
That’s just the colours I’ve got.
Not using a blue on earth conductors, or stripping off the blue insulation, is not difficult.
I guess it all depends on whether you want to adhere to the Regulations or not?

 

[Bobster]

Ferrules come in a variety of colours, blue, red, black, white, yellow, orange, grey, green.
That’s just the colours I’ve got.
Not using a blue on earth conductors, or stripping off the blue insulation, is not difficult.
I guess it all depends on whether you want to adhere to the Regulations or not?

Ferrules are not cable identifiers.

An yes they do come in lots of colours determined to size. 99% of ferrules will follow either the french or german coloring system. (In the UK it's mostly french)

 

[DPG]

In the UK, blue at the termination of a G/Y wire denotes a PEN conductor.

A few mm of blue ferrule on the end of a length of G/Y won't confuse anyone. And if you're going to be that picky then the ferrule insulation should be green/yellow stripe

 

[Risteard]

It wouldn't meet the percentage requirements for identification anyway (15% off the top of my head).

 

[FatAlan]

In the UK, blue at the termination of a G/Y wire denotes a PEN conductor.

That’s a C&G 2382 - 17/18th Edition Question

 

[Deleted member 26818]

It wouldn't meet the percentage requirements for identification anyway (15% off the top of my head).

514.4.3 PEN conductor A PEN conductor shall, when insulated, be marked by one of the following methods:
(i) Green-and-yellow throughout its length with, in addition, blue markings at the terminations
(ii) Blue throughout its length, with green-and-yellow markings at the terminations.

There is no percentage requirement.