[Question] Scruits

[skatingsparks]

I don't usually do CoC's for anyone elses work other than my own installs but I have been roped into CoC for a family house as they are selling.
Wiring is not bad but are scruits (crappy porcelain thing that twists the cables together) still acceptable.
I never have and never will use the crappy things.
Would if thought they would have made solid conductors brittle and more likely to snap.

Do I have to pass these horrible things?

[GCE]

Hi
We have had the discussion over screwits in the workshop and to us it appears to tick all the boxes to be acceptable if the correct size is used
I have never seen a hot connection when the correct sizes is used and it is installed correctly - dont twist wires , allow screwit to do the twist.

With that said - I will not issue a COC for friends or family - I will do an inspection , carry out the repairs and then ask the family member to make contact with another contractor to carry out an inspection and issue of coc.

The minute they, new owner , finds out that family or friend has done COC you end up having to answer all sorts of insignificant questions,queries and threats over legal action because something appears wrong.
I have the T shirt , avoid actually issuing the COC.





6.3.7 Joints and terminations
6.3.7.1 Joints and terminations of cables, cores and conductors shall be
made in accordance with manufacturers' instructions or the appropriate part
of SANS 10198.
Flexible cables shall only be joined using termination boxes, cable couplers or
manufacturers’ jointing kits.
All joints shall be accessible, protected against strain, and protected in
accordance with 5.2.1, except for joints made and sealed permanently and
intended to be maintenance free.
6.3.7.2 Joints and terminations shall not
a) adversely affect the current-carrying capacity, the insulation resist-ance or
the earth continuity of the cable, core or conductor in which they are made,
b) be made in any connector, bend, elbow or tee-piece of a conduit,
c) allow the strands of a stranded conductor to spread, or
d) require strands of a stranded conductor to be cut away to allow connection
of the conductors (for example, to terminals).

[ians]

Do screwits have SANS or some form of certification ?

[skatingsparks]

"protected against strain". Twisted copper is brittle - and can snap. Sure manufacturers of car would not suggest twisting solid copper. And besides - pulling a twisted connection and it.... untwists.

[ians]

From years and years of experience using screwits ... I found the best method of installing them is twist the copper wire together and some of the pvc ... them cut off the top bit of copper wire so that the screwits holds the wire tight ... if the scewits doesn't tighten ... either you have not cut the back the copper enough or selected the incorrect size ... then wrap it with 3M or nitto tape ... not plastic tape ... it a messy business when you have to remove the tape and its all sticky.

I have never had a fault due to a loose connection using a screwit.

If anything should be illegal ... it should be connector blocks ... I have been to investigations where fires have totally gutted a kitchen ... outbuilding and caused many other minor fires due to loose connection ... and that is a fact not hear say.

unless some form of ferrule is used in many cases the incorrect size connector is used which result in either the wire going t the side of the screw or the screw has been over tightened and broken strands off the wire resulting in termination failure.

But the best one is still the twisted earth wires with no form of securing the twisted wires ... i suppose people feel if you twist them enough times they dont need to be secured.

I hardly ever use connectors or screwits anymore ... 99 % of my connections are done using the helcon push in connectors ... I have learnt from experience ... it doesn't pay to use house wire with these connectors ... once installed it is very difficult to remove ... however solid core wires only require 2 or 3 turns out ... saving lots of money.

In the past I would fit a central junction box then spread out from the central point ... now I tend to series wire so that there are only 2 wires at a junction.


I use these type of connectors on most projects ...you the junction boxes.

https://www.hellermanntyton.co.za/products/wire-connectors/hecp-2/911-01804

I buy these by the box ... very handy when you know the termination requires maintenance or parts which might need to be replaced.

https://www.wago.com/global/electrical-interconnections/discover-installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/221

These are the best for lights and fans etc ... I know they cost a lot more ... but man do they save time ... time is money.

https://www.wago.com/global/installation-terminal-blocks-and-connectors/lighting-connector/p/224-101

[AndyD]

I haven't had time to search the regs but I'm sure I remember they're explicitly forbidden for use on earth wires (CPC's) because you can disconnect them without use of a tool.

[skatingsparks]

I haven't had time to search the regs but I'm sure I remember they're explicitly forbidden for use on earth wires (CPC's) because you can disconnect them without use of a tool.

Knew i had read something somewhere.

I usually use helicons. Maybe more expensive but time saved they are worth it.

If I'm feeling dicadant - Wago's

[ians]

Andy maybe this post from 2010?


6.3.7 Joints and terminations
6.3.7.1 Joints and terminations of cables, cores and conductors shall be
made in accordance with manufacturers' instructions or the
appropriate part of SANS 10198. Flexible cables shall only be joined
using cable couplers or manufacturers' jointing kits. All joints shall be accessible, protected against strain, and protected in accordance
with 5.1.1, except for joints made and sealed permanently and intended
to be maintenance free. Amdt 1; amdt 3; amdt 4; amdt 5

5.1.1 Live parts
It shall not be possible to touch any live part within arm's reach with the
standard test finger (see SANS 60529/IEC 60529) Amdt 5
a) during normal operation, or
b) when a cover is removed, unless the cover is removed with the use of
a tool or a key.

The way i see it, you can remove a screw cap (porcelain midget) without tools, and 6.3.7 specifically refers to 5.1.1

The joint is also not protected against strain, as it can be separated quite easily at times. (depends on what day the screw connector was made )

What really bothers me is that you do need a tool to get into the roof in the first place.....

[Dave A]

My understanding is the strain on cables is supposed to be taken by the electrical enclosure of the joint and not at the joint itself. An example of how this is achieved is a junction box with glands taking the strain at the cable's entry points into the box.

The screwit's purpose is to apply pressure on the joint between conductors to secure and ensure electrical connectivity only.

[ians]

anyone manage to find the SANS regs for screwits ?

the ones which state they are SANS approved for the use in electrical installations ?

[GCE]

anyone manage to find the SANS regs for screwits ?

the ones which state they are SANS approved for the use in electrical installations ?

The wholsaler that sells them should be able to supply the certificate or at least get the certificate from the manufacturer that he buys from. Legally the wholesaler cant sell an item without a certificate

[skatingsparks]

They all sell those GU10 Lamp holders without the earthed bracket and I'm still finding those chucked in with a connector block.....

[GCE]

The question of joints not in conduit boxes etc came up this morning and I decided to have a look at the regulations and dates

I have pasted Ed 3 clause on Joints below

I went back to SANS 10142-1, ED2 , ED 1.5 (2006) and ED 1 ( 2001) and the same basic clause is in all 3 books.

Joints as per manufacturers instructions

Looking at the Aberdare brochure it states under surfix and T&E - joints in boxes only ( pasted an extract below)

So I come to the conclusion that Twin & Earth/Surfix in ceiling spaces should be in round boxes at least and that the requirement has been out since at least 2001 if not earlier .I don't have an earlier edition to check against

6.3.7 Joints and terminations
6.3.7.1 Joints and terminations of cables, cores and conductors shall be
made in accordance with manufacturers' instructions or the appropriate part
of SANS 10198.
Flexible cables shall only be joined using termination boxes, cable couplers or
manufacturers’ jointing kits.
All joints shall be accessible, protected against strain, and protected in
accordance with 5.2.1, except for joints made and sealed permanently and
intended to be maintenance free.
6.3.7.2 Joints and terminations shall not
a) adversely affect the current-carrying capacity, the insulation resist-ance or
the earth continuity of the cable, core or conductor in which they are made,
b) be made in any connector, bend, elbow or tee-piece of a conduit,
c) allow the strands of a stranded conductor to spread, or
d) require strands of a stranded conductor to be cut away to allow connection
of the conductors (for example, to terminals).



Extract from Aberdare Brochure
Cable Description
Installation Information
Properties
Copper conductors to SANS 1411 Part 1, PVC insulated to SANS 1411 Part 2 , laid up with a bare tinned copper earth wire in contact
with a longitudinal aluminium/polyethylene laminate, UV stable PVC sheathed to SANS 1411 Part 2.
Complies with SANS 10142 “Code of Practice for wiring of Premises” Section 6:
• Surface wiring • Under-plastering wiring • Wiring in hollowwalls • Wiring in roof spaces
The cable shall not be buried direct in concrete or in screed. Joints in the wiring shall be in boxes only.
SANS 1507-2
-10°C to 70°C
300 / 500V
White&Black
- Red&Black, - Red,Yellow, Blue, - Red,Yellow, Blue, Black
100mshrink-wrapped coils
Available on 500&1000 metrewooden drums on request (depending on size)
Note:
Specification :
Temperature Range :
Voltage Rating :
Sheath Identification :
Core Identification : 2 Core 3 Core 4 Core
Packaging