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Minimum/maximum cable sizes in terminations

Baldyhugh

Evening all

In the absence of technical info from manufacturers, how do you determine the minimum and maximum sizes of cables in terminations. Probably more the minimum size actually. Take a standard socket outlet or spur, could have as small as 1.5mm t&e with a 1mm earth. I find in this case especially that the 1mm struggles to get firmly held with the screw, more so the square type nowadays, the older round tunnel type were better. Is everyone saying if it passes a pull test, it’s acceptable?

Peter

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  • 0
    Baldyhugh said:
    Probably more the minimum size actually.

    How do you determine that?

  • 0 in reply to gkenyon

    Hi Graham

    That’s the point. The larger cables are less of a concern as the installer knows that they will be well secured in the terminal. The smaller however may be too small to be gripped securely by the screw hence either the manufacturer tells you or you use some technical judgement and do a pull test. Wago’s for example give a minimum and maximum size of cable that can be used.

  • 0 in reply to Baldyhugh
    Baldyhugh said:
    Wago’s for example give a minimum and maximum size of cable that can be used.

    So does BS 1363 series. For example, in addition to the example for portable socket-outlets posted yesterday, BS 1363-2 does not guarantee that fixed socket-outlets can accept anything less than 2.5 sq mm for line conductors, and 1.5 sq mm for cpc's !

    Which implies that to terminate 1.5 sq mm line conductors into a BS 1363-2 fixed socket-outlet with screw terminals, "doubling back" is perhaps required, unless the manufacturer says that the terminals will take 1.5 sq mm ?

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  • 0 in reply to Baldyhugh
    Baldyhugh said:
    Wago’s for example give a minimum and maximum size of cable that can be used.

    So does BS 1363 series. For example, in addition to the example for portable socket-outlets posted yesterday, BS 1363-2 does not guarantee that fixed socket-outlets can accept anything less than 2.5 sq mm for line conductors, and 1.5 sq mm for cpc's !

    Which implies that to terminate 1.5 sq mm line conductors into a BS 1363-2 fixed socket-outlet with screw terminals, "doubling back" is perhaps required, unless the manufacturer says that the terminals will take 1.5 sq mm ?

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