Rules and Guidelines
Want to participate in the discussions? Please read our Community Rules and Guidelines. Need some help? Visit Support and Answers.

  • State Helpful Answer
  • Replies 19 replies
  • Answers 2 answers
  • Subscribers 34 subscribers
  • Views 2060 views
  • Users 0 members are here
Options
You may also be interested in

Splicing connector overvoltage category

Geoff Lyons

I have recently been reviewing the technical details for a popular brand of lever type splicing connector and, according to the information on the manufacturer’s website, the connectors are only rated for use in overvoltage category II applications. My understanding is that for a fixed wiring installation to comply with BS 7671, all equipment must be rated for overvoltage category III (regulation 443.6.2 and table 443.2) i.e. be capable of withstanding an impulse voltage of 4 kV. The certification data, also published on the manufacturer’s website, states that the connectors have only been tested to 2.5 kV.

I have queried this with the manufacturer, who advised that the 4 kV electrical strength test only applies to IT equipment.

I may well have misinterpreted the requirements, but I would be interested to hear anyone else’s views on this.

Parents
  • 0

    So, it's the product standard we need to look at.

    OK, I'll ask the obvious... since just about every item assembled into a BS 7671 installation will be subject to its own equipment standard and if you're saying that we don't need to read BS 7671's requirement in this case in order to select appropriate equipment, then why is this section in BS 7671 at all?

       - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury
    AJJewsbury said:
    OK, I'll ask the obvious... since just about every item assembled into a BS 7671 installation will be subject to its own equipment standard and if you're saying that we don't need to read BS 7671's requirement in this case in order to select appropriate equipment, then why is this section in BS 7671 at all?

    No, never said that.

    I merely said that Electric Strength and Impulse Withstand are two different things ... this product has an electric strength test, but no impulse withstand test ... the manufacturer could read-across from IEC 60664-1 in this regard between insulation withstand and impulse withstand, but they really are different things. This product standard has no impulse withstand test.

    That is the extent of what I said.

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Ah, sorry, I read too much into the "So, it's the product standard we need to look at." statement.

    So in terms of the original question - do these terminals meet BS 7671's requirements for overvoltage category, is the answer still "we don't know" (or "not proven" as the Scots might say)?

        - Andy.

  • 0 in reply to AJJewsbury

    I assume we are talking Wago here (people pronounce it how they like, WayGo or VarGo)  either way it may be worth contacting Ideal Industries as they have some very similar product which may have been tested differently.

Reply Children

Join us to get the best from IET EngX.

Joining EngX lets you personalise your experience so you stay up to date on the topics that interest you, plus you’ll be able to make connections who are looking to collaborate, exchange ideas and more.

Join us Not now

Community Rules & Guidelines