All connections must be:

-Electrically secure

-mechanically secure

-protected against corrosion

-Low resistance

 

More fires are attributed to electrical faults than any other cause, many of these are due to bad connections. One of the changes in the BS7671 3rd amendment is moving from plastic CCU's to metal. This is to better contain fires within CCUs caused by poor connections. 

 

 

Types of connection

Screw terminals - found in many accessories, switches, sockets, junction boxes, consumer units and many more. Only suitable for copper conductors. 

 

Compression- crimps found in earthing and bonding connections. Also used for extending conductors. 

Soldered or brazed - brazed connection of main earthing conductor to SWA armouring. Soldered joints in electronic components eg PIRs