Gallery, Projects and General > How to's
How To Wire a Plug
Darren:
All clamped wires creep,
It's the most common source of household electrical fires.
The electricity vibrations cause the screws to unwind, then they may arc and if enough heat is generated it can start a fire.
This is why all electrical connections should be accessible, (switches, wall outlets and fittings) If they get hot you can usually smell them due to the materials used. (designed that way)
If you make connections under the floorboards or hidden inside walls you are asking for trouble eventually.
To see this effect go around all your sockets and check the tightness of the screws. If they have been there for some time one or two are likely to be loose.
They should all be checked periodically, but rarely is this ever done.
Darren:
The thing is, all those loose wires were most probably tight when originally fitted. Not really the fitters fault.
Those twisty on the end of bare wires were once common in the UK. Bad enough to give you nightmares... :(
I once had to rewire a hotel. In the attic where strips of wood with grooves in them with bare wires laid on top......!! Steel at that...
Oh and one or two dead mice and birds......well quite a few....
Scary....
John Rudd:
--- Quote from: Darren on July 21, 2009, 06:25:31 AM ---
Those twisty on the end of bare wires were once common in the UK. Bad enough to give you nightmares... :(
--- End quote ---
I remember them things..made of porcelain or plastic I think?
Darren:
Both I believe...
oriible things they were...
Bluechip:
The porcelain ones were called Scruit connectors, you can still get the plastic sort from Rapid I think.
You're right, gruesome little blighters ..
Dave
Checked .. you can ..
http://www.rapidonline.com/products.aspx?tier1=Cables+%26+Connectors&tier2=Connectors+-+Single+Pole&tier3=Splices
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