Are crimp links fittings

[PeteRig]

Hi All
Maybe a stupid question but are crimp links "fittings" as the definition in the Act for fittings say "fittings means everything used, or designed or intended for use, in or in connection
with the generation, conversion, transformation, conveyance, or use of electricity" so if a TPS cable is crimped linked are the links fittings, the same as for a junction box?

[AlecK]

"everything" means "everything, without exception; so yes crimp links are fittings.
Conductors ares also fittings - which makes interpreting Schedule 1 interesting

[PeteRig]

Ok, so an inline crimp joint on a TPS cable in say a wall, does that fail under the requirement of ESR 20-2 (i)
"i) there is insufficient space, access, and lighting to operate, maintain,
repair, test, and inspect all fittings of the works and installations (other
than cables and buried parts of earthing systems) in a safe manner."

I always believed that inline crimp joints providing they were done correctly etc etc didn't have to be accessible in a wall an j/boxes in a wall had to be accessible, so I am probably confused now?

[AlecK]

There used to be a specific rule that junction boxes had to be accessible; but now just this general rule.
The amount of space/access needed varies according to circumstances.
A properly-made in-line crimp joint, insulated to equivalent of double insulation, only needs the same access under that rule as the original cable would - ie, none at all.

[PeteRig]

So a j/box in a lined wall would be non compliant?

[AlecK]

At one time it would have been; 1976 Rs 63 & 64 ( there were exceptions for underground, in-floor, & MIMS)
Being old-fashioned; I certainly don't consider it acceptable.
But not aware of anything in "3000" that prohibits it.
I believe ESR 20 is the nearest to a rule against it;
just that some people may consider that a j-box doesn't need to be accessed

[PeteRig]

Thanks Alec, agree with what you say, that is why I was asking if crimp links were fittings but don't need to be accessible, yet j/boxes are also fittings but should be accessible, confusing.
Cheers

[AlecK]

I think the best approach, for any particular case, is to ask "how much access / space / lighting is needed for each the activities listed?
That's actually not a single question, it's 15 questions.


For a crimped joint with each crimp insulated, and then a sheath-substitute such as HD heat shrink over the top; the answer in my view are:
operation? no space, access, or lighting is required;
maintenance? ditto;
repair? ditto;
testing? ditto;
inspection? ditto.
Accordingly in many circumstances this type of joint can be compliant even with zero accessibility, space, or lighting.

Change the fitting type (even slightly), or change the circumstances; and that may change at least some of the 15 answers.
eg if, instead of heavy-wall heatshrink, only PVC tape was used as sheath replacement.
or if going into a damp environment, would have to use sealed crimps as well as sealed sheath-sleeve.

For a J-box, since it's known that there's a risk of the screw-type terminations coming loose over time;
I'd want it to be accessible for inspection without destruction / dismantling of any structure .
But I wouldn't worry eg space to operate.
So could still be hidden in a wall / ceiling if it was acessible by removing the fitting it supplied, eg a recessed luminaire.

Addequate lighting works both ways; there can be too much light.
Eg PDL 544 JBs degrade badly in UV, so are only suitable in dark places.
No idea why they use a plastic that's not UV stable, but experience shows they go brown & brittle in only a few years; and eventually the cover simply falls apart and falls off - and then the core insulation is exposed. Unlike TPS sheath, conductor insulation doesn't have UV inhibitors; so after another period we have bare conductors.

That's probably more under 4.1.3 of "3000" than ESR 20.
But main point is consider all the circumstances of the particular case, over the life of the installation;
rather than relying on a simplistic rule-of-thumb

[DougP]

Everyone knows how to terminate a junction box don't they?

[AlecK]

Or thinks they do

[Peter]

Of course a poor crimp join in a wall is the same as a poor junction box join in a wall . And that picture would have been just as dangerous in an accessible location .You may shoot me down on this , but it is not the junction box location that is the problem here , it is the terminations .