making neat connections?

Hi all, been practicing some wiring connections before I do the real thing on installing a bunch of fluoro downlights, oysters and halogens in an extension I've been owner building for a while now. All the wiring is brand new and at this stage the final connection to live power has NOT been made. So far I've done all the switches without any dramas ensuring that i twist up the 1.5mm stranded red/white switch wires then where they are single wires and folding them over to go into the switch terminals.
Now its time to do the light fittings i'm using junction boxes on all the lights as most of them dont have the capacity to take more than 1 cable and because several of them have power in/power out/and shoot off to an extra fitting the need to twist up 3 wires plus a tail for the fitting and total 4 x1.5mm wires i felt it best to use J boxes rather than taping up connections. i hate the thought of twisting 4 wires together but I'm assuming its neccesary and have seen it done in many other locations in the existing part of the house (mainly in bayonetts).
Anyway I have enclosed 2 photos to see if anyone feels my technique is poor or not. So what i have in the photo is 4x neutrals, 4x earths, 4x actives(1 is the switch wire) then a red wire from the tail cable joined to the white switch wire. I know the sequence is fine i'm just not sure if the workmanship is up to standard so i'm helping the gurus in here can give their opinion, In a nutshell, what is the trick to twisting 4 x 1.5mm stranded wires together (fan the whole lot together or twist individually then all together) and does it REALLY matter too much if they look pretty or not since their being locked up with double screw connectors? Is this where potential fire risk can exist or not..... ....be kind guys.

Whilst its obviously illegal to do your own electrical work unless its inspected by a licenced electrician and all that jazz, we can talk hyperthetically about the best way to make connections.

From those pictures, it looks like your doing a good job. To twist 4 conductors together, keep them faned, dont twist individually first.

You and I are going to get flamed here because you shouldn't be doing it yourself because you are obviously not a sparky and I shouldn't be giving you advice but my trouble is I can't help myself.

But the ends of the insulation should be lined up and the shrouds of the connectors should fully cover the copper wire which they don't so they don't comply..

My advice get a sparky.

Another thing I just noticed is that you have used earth connectors on all the connections. Probably doesn't matter.

It appears cross who says he is an apprentice electrician doesn't agree but I wouldn't accept it on my place.

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But the ends of the insulation should be lined up and the shrouds of the connectors should fully cover the copper wire which they don't so they don't comply..

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Agh, the magic of zooming in. Had a closer look at the pictures and take back my previous comments.

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Another thing I just noticed is that you have used earth connectors on all the connections. Probably doesn't matter.

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It doesnt matter, its required for the earth, but not the others, although its fine to use them for all (providing your not using the double screw to make up for lack of twisting ability :rolleyes:).

What Barry and Cross have said.

Actually I just wanted to show off my new signiture.

I didn't think it was right not to have a disclaimer at the end of this post.

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Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

What Barry and Cross have said.

Actually I just wanted to show off my new signiture.

I didn't think it was right not to have a disclaimer at the end of this post.

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:D Nice one.

I would not install the lights as you have suggested. I would not be happy with that joint sitting in my ceiling. Not because it is especially safe, rather it represents a higher risk, as it doesn't reflect best practice.

I think that you are going about this the 'hard' way.

The majority of sparky's will twin and earth rather than dedicated switching wire, especially in brown field sites.

Generally, hypothetically If i was asked to do this install my preference would be to diasy chain them for a maximum of two connections per light. One cable coming from the switch. Less cable less mess. Also no J box, significantly less chance of a hot joint...



I'd also only use double screw connectors on the earths. I'd also tape the connections, green and gold for the earth and black for the others...

If you are going to do this yourself, stay safe, remember a little bit of knowledge can be dangerous....

PS. I will be doing some electrical work in Wollongong next week.......

I accept no liability or responsibility for advice offered by myself regarding Electrical related questions. I strongly advise contacting a Licensed Tradeperson for all work of this nature.

Are those double screw connectors sealed on one end? A lot of them have a hole right through.

Tools

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Originally Posted by Tools

Are those double screw connectors sealed on one end? A lot of them have a hole right through.

Tools

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The double screw earth connectors do have a hole at both ends. Single screw connectors are blind so that the Active and neutral wires cannot be exposed.

Ok gents took most of your advice onboard,except the one to get in a licensed eleco (rang a few and at $60 an hour have opted to trust my workmanship for the time being). I got rid of the double screw connectors except for the one on the earth and replaced them with single blind ones( as supplied in the J box), Red taped the active connector for safeguard and housed the whole lot neatly in a J box. I'm pretty happy with it but have supplied a pic so youz can either believe me lol or attack me lol. Thanks a lot guys, much appreciated.
:2tsup:

I dont have a clue about anything. If you take my advise seriously you're a fool. If you act on my advise and get killed you're a bigger fool. Don't bother suing me as I have no assets.

Hi Bleeding Thumb,

Without sounding too pedantic, you should change advise to advice or you maybe sued:rolleyes:.<!-- / sig -->

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Originally Posted by Metal Head

I dont have a clue about anything. If you take my advise seriously you're a fool. If you act on my advise and get killed you're a bigger fool. Don't bother suing me as I have no assets.

Hi Bleeding Thumb,

Without sounding too pedantic, you should change advise to advice or you maybe sued:rolleyes:.<!-- / sig -->

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That's very interesting Bleeding picked me up on my spelling a while ago on exactly the same spelling mistake.

Like they say "What goes around comes around." LOL:oo:

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Originally Posted by Barry_White

That's very interesting Bleeding picked me up on my spelling a while ago on exactly the same spelling mistake.

Like they say "What goes around comes around." LOL:oo:

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Don't think it was me Barry, it would be like the pot calling the kettle black for me to criticize anybodies spelling.

I have to thank you BTW for the tip regarding the spell checker on the Google bar - very handy.

I'll go back and edit the spelling Metal Head, even though I think the signiture is due for a change.

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Originally Posted by Bleedin Thumb

Don't think it was me Barry, it would be like the pot calling the kettle black for me to criticize anybodies spelling.

I have to thank you BTW for the tip regarding the spell checker on the Google bar - very handy.

I'll go back and edit the spelling Metal Head, even though I think the signiture is due for a change.

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I apologise Bleeding it wasn't you. I tracked down the culprit and at least he did it with a PM rather than publicly so I wont reveal who it was.

Jag, see my earlier comments.

Whilst this will work it is very obvious that it wasn't done by a knowledgable electrician.

Whatever you decide to do stay safe.

Thanks spartan, I appreciate the concern. I think I understand what you mean by daisy chain with a max of 2 but it was actually an eleco that roughed the wirng in before the plaster ages ago and he simply used the method of having all the twin and earths in the ceiling and then ran twin red/white down to each switch? The rest of the house is that way so i'm assuming that was the easiest option at the time? In regard to only having 2 lots of cables(power in and power out) we have done that at most of the light locations except where it didnt seem practical ie: the joint in the pic shoots off to a floodlight in the eave and was easier i guess to have a cable end at the floodlght to minimise connectors etc in the eave?
Trust me I am staying safe and have arranged an eleco to come in when ready to connect all new wiring up to a new circuit in the meter box and he has agreed to do a visual on my connections whilst he's here. So far i havent had power going to any of my work and because its an extension that i built I know whats alive and what isnt.Again.....much appreciated. Cheers