Outdoor junction box for armoured cable

[Chivers]

You've used a black as a neutral, and the grey "neutral" as earth. If you're going to bodge it then bodge it properly and get a plastic stuffing gland for the T&E and a Wiska box that will at least be water tight and re-terminate the armoured correctly and with some earth sleeving and neutral blue sleeving at both ends.

What's the Zs at the Garage mate?

 

[Octopus]

What's the Zs at the Garage mate?

My crystal ball expects the next post from the OP to be something along the lines of "whats the Zs"

 

[Specialist]

You've used a black as a neutral, and the grey "neutral" as earth. If you're going to bodge it then bodge it properly and get a plastic stuffing gland for the T&E and a Wiska box that will at least be water tight and re-terminate the armoured correctly and with some earth sleeving and neutral blue sleeving at both ends.

What's the Zs at the Garage mate?

Can't really see him knowing that, not many DIY'ers have a loop tester or MFT.

 

[Colin33]

Hello all,

Got a bit of a situation with my new garage, I've got a 2.5mm cable coming out of the house consumer unit for supplying mains to the garage, there is an armoured cable inside a conduit that goes underground and comes out in the garage. Inside the garage, it goes into its own consumer unit and the rest is good.

The problem I have is the junction outside the house where the 2.5mm meets the armoured cable, I can't find any glands or outdoor rated junction boxes to suit an armoured cable and 2.5mm.

This is how it looks at the moment, not ideal but stays dry with the lid on and I keep the supply off when not in use. It's a random metal box, not suited for this purpose, it has holes in it and doesn't have any ingress ratings.

View attachment 36922

Please can someone recommend a junction box to suit both the armoured cable and 2.5mm or similar solution? Thanks!

Lolopopo You will need one of these: 32 Amp Wiska Junction Box 85 x 85 x 51mm - Black IP66 - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WK308B.html?ad_position=1o2&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=WK308B&product_partition_id=174057601027&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CL6wzOOt2dQCFa637QoduDEElQ
And for earth continuity on the armoured cable one of these: Wiska Earth Clamp Bar for SWA Glands - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WKEC308.html
An SWA gland CW 20mm Small Gland Pack - 3 Part External - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLC20S.html
And for the 2.5 twin/cpc cable: 20mm Nylon Compression Gland Black for Cable 7-10mm² - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK251B.html

Firstly, using a spanner screw the swa gland through two of the seals adjacent to each other on the box to 'break through' these seals. Then remove and fit the swa gland to armoured cable first, then screw the box onto this, then fit the earth clamp inside the box. Make a lead to connect the earth from this clamp to the earth connection inside the box. Fix box to wall in a way which will leave both cables exiting from the underside. Now screw in the plastic cable gland and fit the 2.5 twin/earth cable. Although some will slate you for using the black as neutral and grey as earth, it really makes no difference as long as they are taped or sleeved in some way to indicate their use. However, it's very important to check how they've been used at the garage end of the armoured cable and replicate this. Let us know how you get on, and maybe post a picture of the finished job so that someone can point out any potential problems before you re-energise the circuit.

 

[telectrix]

Lolopopo You will need one of these: 32 Amp Wiska Junction Box 85 x 85 x 51mm - Black IP66 - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WK308B.html?ad_position=1o2&source=adwords&ad_id=45425533757&placement=&kw=&network=g&matchtype=&ad_type=pla&product_id=WK308B&product_partition_id=174057601027&test=finalurl_v2&gclid=CL6wzOOt2dQCFa637QoduDEElQ
And for earth continuity on the armoured cable one of these: Wiska Earth Clamp Bar for SWA Glands - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/WKEC308.html
An SWA gland CW 20mm Small Gland Pack - 3 Part External - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLC20S.html
And for the 2.5 twin/cpc cable: 20mm Nylon Compression Gland Black for Cable 7-10mm² - https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/EK251B.html

Firstly, using a spanner screw the swa gland through two of the seals adjacent to each other on the box to 'break through' these seals. Then remove and fit the swa gland to armoured cable first, then screw the box onto this, then fit the earth clamp inside the box. Make a lead to connect the earth from this clamp to the earth connection inside the box. Fix box to wall in a way which will leave both cables exiting from the underside. Now screw in the plastic cable gland and fit the 2.5 twin/earth cable. Although some will slate you for using the black as neutral and grey as earth, it really makes no difference as long as they are taped or sleeved in some way to indicate their use. However, it's very important to check how they've been used at the garage end of the armoured cable and replicate this. Let us know how you get on, and maybe post a picture of the finished job so that someone can point out any potential problems before you re-energise the circuit.

you after the booker prize?

 

[Colin33]

What is 'the booker prize'??

 

[Taylortwocities]

It's what you get if you go to the cash & carry and don't buy anything.

 

[HandySparks]

You've used a black as a neutral, and the grey "neutral" as earth.

Not a hanging offence. I think it's only the NIC that mandate using the black core for the cpc. Nothing in the regs for single phase circuits using brown/black/grey cable for L, N & E, unless you know different. (Yes I know the sequence for three phase is defined.)

 

[Chivers]

I guess not but it should be sleeved at the very least?
Appendix 7 2
2.1 Single Phase
An addition or an alteration made to a single phase installation need not be marked at the interface provided that:
1 old cables are correctly identified by the colours red for line and black for neutral and 2 the new cables are correctly identified by colours brown for line and blue for neutral

 

[telectrix]

none of this would have happened if the IEE as it was, had grown some balls and insisted on sticking to red, yellow,blue,black. bloody EU. a bit like churchill stuck 2 fingers up to hitler in 1940.

 

[Colin33]

none of this would have happened if the IEE as it was, had grown some balls and insisted on sticking to red, yellow,blue,black. bloody EU. a bit like churchill stuck 2 fingers up to hitler in 1940.

After Brexit, (should it ever happen) I wonder how many would support returning to the old colours?

 

[DavidSpark]

After Brexit, (should it ever happen) I wonder how many would support returning to the old colours?

At this stage, would it be worth while? Imagine the grief that would cause trying to do a complete reversal of the harmonised colours.

 

[HandySparks]

I guess not but it should be sleeved at the very least?
Appendix 7 2
2.1 Single Phase
An addition or an alteration made to a single phase installation need not be marked at the interface provided that:
1 old cables are correctly identified by the colours red for line and black for neutral and 2 the new cables are correctly identified by colours brown for line and blue for neutral

Oh yes, quite agree about the sleeving.

 

[rsgaz]

I'd vote for a whole new colour code, so we can have stickers saying...

This installation has wiring colours to THREE versions of BS7671...

 

[DPG]

I'd make all the wires the same colour, including CPCs. Make it more of a challenge.

 

[Strima]

I'd make all the wires the same colour, including CPCs. Make it more of a challenge.

You didn't wire up the last motorcycle loom I looked at did you? It was all a lovely black...

 

[DPG]

You didn't wire up the last motorcycle loom I looked at did you? It was all a lovely black...

Old British bike?

 

[Strima]

Old British bike?

Yam XS650.

 

[telectrix]

my last motorbike had only about 10 wires. battery, dynamo, magneto, front light, back light, battery.

 

[davesparks]

My landrover has, errrrrm, some wires, possibly they had colours at one time, the resident mouse has eaten most of them, the magic smoke has leaked out of most of them, but it definitely has some wires.

But it's ok cos I can't see the wires for all the rust!

 

[Lolopopo]

As you were all concerned, I thought I better update you... Fit this box this morning, properly terminated the armoured cable with a crimp to go to the earth wire. Got a 400v 32a terminal block inside.

Going to upgrade the T&E supply to a thicker gauge (6mm?) once it stops raining. And should come out of the house right below the box so should be neater and more convenient. Will screw it to the wall once it's all good of course. Again, thanks for the genuine comments and help, and the funny guys too.

 

[DPG]

Will it be straight once it's finished? Sorry, couldn't resist

 

[Lolopopo]

Of course, it's not attached to the wall yet, just terminated the SWA to make sure I didn't need to buy anything else.

 

[Risteard]

Fit this box this morning, properly terminated the armoured cable with a crimp to go to the earth wire.

Really? What's with the kopex and lack of cleats then?

 

[Lolopopo]

The SWA gland is inside the conduit, that's just the rubber boot, eventually will be buried once some building work is done.

 

[telectrix]

i'd bring the T/E back entry into the box. far neater.seal top and sides of box/brickwork with silicon after.

 

[Lolopopo]

Yep I am keeping that option open but not sure where it's convenient to come out of the building yet as there is work happening inside, that's why I haven't attached it to the wall yet.

 

[Toneyz]

give the poor boy some credit. in Lancashire it would be a choc block wrapped in a tesco carrier bag.

5p well spent.

 

[Toneyz]

Not a hanging offence. I think it's only the NIC that mandate using the black core for the cpc. Nothing in the regs for single phase circuits using brown/black/grey cable for L, N & E, unless you know different. (Yes I know the sequence for three phase is defined.)

I think it came from the lighting industry Tel.

 

[Lolopopo]

Here's another one of my jobbies for your viewing pleasure...



Just kidding, came across this during my travels abroad and thought you'd enjoy it what with your regulations and that.

 

[WillWX]

^ looks similar to your original "junction box"

 

[Lolopopo]

^ looks similar to your original "junction box"

I think this is far worse, random colours, twist and tape connections and in a communal area in easy reach.

Mine wasn't left on for long and no one could get to it unless they were breaking in.

 

[WillWX]

I think this is far worse, random colours, twist and tape connections and in a communal area in easy reach.

Mine wasn't left on for long and no one could get to it unless they were breaking in.

I was only jesting