16mm2 conductor terminals

bleicker · Post by **bleicker** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:07 pm

Hi guys, I'm trying to find a good quality terminal to connect 16mm2 conductors. The ones I have found are those white plastic terminal blocks that just by looking at it may spark and catch fire. I'm used to wago connectors which are a wonder but I can't find anything above 6mm2. What do you guys use/recommend?

I'm getting a SWA cable across the garden, but inside the house I'm using T&E 16mm2, so hence the reason to connect the 2 together :)

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:18 pm

How much will the load be?

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm

I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:23 pm

Replace the 2 bits of cable with 1 new one?

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:38 pm

Neelix wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:23 pmReplace the 2 bits of cable with 1 new one?

Looks like it is a new install

bleicker wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:07 pmI'm getting a SWA cable across the garden, but inside the house I'm using T&E 16mm2

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:39 pm

bleicker, why not run the SWA outside to roughly where the consumers unit is, then come through the wall, no joints then.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:05 pm

Why 16 mm ?

arco_iris · Post by **arco_iris** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:49 pm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.

That sounds like a sensible solution, (Wylex REC2S Isolator is neat) an alternative might be three Henley Blocks mounted neatly?

16mm2 is meter tails, isn't it?

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Mon Nov 15, 2021 7:16 pm

arco_iris wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:49 pm
kellys_eye wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.
That sounds like a sensible solution, (Wylex REC2S Isolator is neat) an alternative might be three Henley Blocks mounted neatly?

16mm2 is meter tails, isn't it?

Except you can’t terminate SWA into the rec2 with any finesse

Chippo1 · Post by **Chippo1** » Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:42 pm

Galv knockout box , Armour glands with Henley blocks inside or even DIN rail and terminals

bleicker · Post by **bleicker** » Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:40 pm

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:18 pm How much will the load be?

Possibly 7-10Kw to charge a car, but also I'm converting the garage into a home office, so due to the long run and future proof plus I like being overkill with specs, I decided for 16mm

kellys_eye wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.

The garage will have a small CU with RCBOs already for future expansion if needed.

Neelix wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:23 pm Replace the 2 bits of cable with 1 new one?

Not sure I follow, one is outdoor armoured cable, the other one is indoor.

Someone-Else wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:39 pm bleicker, why not run the SWA outside to roughly where the consumers unit is, then come through the wall, no joints then.

I could do that, I've ordered a bit more just in case. The other end will to go the house, but then has 20m of run from the rear side all the way to the consumer unit, so I'll have to join them anyway.

Neelix wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:05 pmWhy 16 mm ?

Not much difference in price compared to 10mm considering it would be more future proof, plus long run. Everything I do is a bit overkill as I do it myself

arco_iris wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 6:49 pm
kellys_eye wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.
That sounds like a sensible solution, (Wylex REC2S Isolator is neat) an alternative might be three Henley Blocks mounted neatly?

16mm2 is meter tails, isn't it?

heley blocks are quite chunky, I would not be able to fit them inside a small junction box. I think 20-25mm would be tail ends normally.

Chippo1 wrote: ↑Tue Nov 16, 2021 7:42 pm Galv knockout box , Armour glands with Henley blocks inside or even DIN rail and terminals

that seems to be the most interesting way so far, I need to find a box that has DIN rails, I saw the terminals now and they look pretty cool. I want to try that.

Neelix · Post by **Neelix** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 7:49 am

Don't forget that new circuits fall under Part P of the building regs .........

Someone-Else · Post by **Someone-Else** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:38 am

bleicker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:40 pmI need to find a box that has DIN rails

You can get any box and add your own DIN rail, then add what ever terminals you like to it.

kellys_eye · Post by **kellys_eye** » Wed Nov 17, 2021 8:58 am

bleicker wrote: ↑Tue Nov 16, 2021 11:40 pm kellys_eye wrote: ↑Mon Nov 15, 2021 5:19 pm
I'd get a small Consumer Unit and fit either a 2-pole isolator or an MCB (RCD) as you'll need one 'somewhere' anyway.

The garage will have a small CU with RCBOs already for future expansion if needed.

Adding additional isolation afforded by fitting a small Consumer Unit with double-pole breaker indoors (where the two forms of cable meet) isn't problematic (electrically) but offers the necessary cable termination/coupling point in a neat and accessible fashion. This is the equivalent of 'terminal rails' but with the added functionality of isolation of the cable run/out building at a convenient location.

Your decision obviously......