Back box too full for light switch to go on?

[Ant19754]

Hi all,

Electrician has completely rewired my house from scratch after I gutted it back to brick/ ceilings off etc. At second fix asked him to leave all sockets and switches off so I could paint behind them etc. I then screwed them all on.

Came to screw the landing light switch on and the back box is stuffed full with cables and zero room to screw faceplate back. The light switch in question is on the 1st floor landing and is connected to 2 other switches which also turn the stairwell/landing lights on/off - one on the ground other in loft. When I asked him about this issue he said he'll 'push it in and make it work'. Don't think that will work and wouldn't be happy if he did try it as in the past I have witnessed shower switches stuffed full of excess cable burn out and do not want this to happen here or some connections to come loose.

Is it a case of asking him to shorten some of the cables as some of them may have excess length? or replacing the the connector blocks with smaller ones?

Any advice appreciated. Thanks

 

[Murdoch]

That’s not pretty. How deep is the back box?

 

[Ant19754]

That’s not pretty. How deep is the back box?

Agreed, its 30mm dry lining back box

 

[NozSpark]

that looks like it'll fit with a bit of repositioning of the terminal blocks,,,, however Wago's would take up less space

 

[monkey5]

Wagos needed defo, will make a huge difference and Nicely dressed in.

 

[Murdoch]

Who uses screw terminal blocks any more ?

 

[monkey5]

Who uses screw terminal blocks any more ?

I did think the same but thought I might get shouted down

 

[bryanh]

Why were they used at all, there is no need for connections like that at the switch if he worked for me he would be gone

 

[Murdoch]

Why were they used at all, there is no need for connections like that at the switch if he worked for me he would be gone

I guess it’s confirmation that you can’t teach old dogs new tricks

 

[Ant19754]

Why were they used at all, there is no need for connections like that at the switch if he worked for me he would be gone

What should be used? Wago’s? Thanks

 

[Murdoch]

What should be used? Wago’s? Thanks

Probably. Get the installer back to improve.

Have you paid them? And what certificates have you been given?

 

[binky]

I did think the same but thought I might get shouted down

Can't stand connector blocks these days, wagos every time for me.

 

[Ant19754]

Probably. Get the installer back to improve.

Have you paid them? And what certificates have you been given?

Not yet, he needs to come back and second fix the loft then will certify the whole job he said. Will ask him to replace them with wago’s as per all your comments. Forgive my lack of knowledge but why are wago’s better? Just because they are smaller? Thanks

 

[Sharpend]

Personally I’d say it was a poorly thought out job, any good spark would keep number of cables to a minimum at each point for exactly this reason, I’ve counted 6 terminal blocks so it’s a no wonder it doesn’t fit back.
Clearly an electrician who has only been shown one way to wire up a light circuit and can’t think for himself.

 

[mort2376]

Wagos provide a locked connection. Either permanent or via a lever. If the permanent ones are used the cables cannot work loose. There is a chance that over time the screws in the choc block can work loose and this can cause issues. And yes they are also smaller.

If it was me with that many cables I would have either put a joint box somewhere accessible or fitted a deeper back box.

 

[kerching]

Badly thought out and installed, but what do I know!...I am neither "retired" nor "once asked to teach"
Unless things have changed I believe that most connector strips are non compliant anyway.
There is a Reg stating "joints in cables should not lessen the integrity of the cable/insulation" or similar wording. Most connector strip is insulated with polyethylene which has a lower melting point than PVC insulation so thus non compliant....not a lot of people know that! Nylon 6-6 insulation is compliant
In brief....do it with Wagos

 

[Murdoch]

when you know that you’re going to have that many cables in a back box, use of the deeper versions are my go to option

 

[Redcar Bear]

I am not an electrician but I have ben in the building trade all my life. and seen many burnt wires in terminals. When cables are secured and pushed into the box I find it good practice to ease the whole assembly (switch etc) forward so that any losening of connection with the initial push and twist can be given an extra tweak not as easy with layers of choc blocks rammed in tight.

 

[Ant19754]

Thanks for your replies fellas

 

[Murdoch]

Thanks for your replies fellas

You’re welcome. Please update us after it’s been improved