On 1 Mar 2005 03:05:00 -0800, wrote:


However, some fittings are small and a JB wouldn't go through the hole,
and access wasn't necessarily possible from above. In this case they
used 3 poles from a suitably rated connector strip, wrapped the strip
in tape for insulation, and finally fed everything through the hole as
before. Although fine for insulation, does this contravene the regs,
and if so, how should one wire this to comply given the access
restrictions from above/below?

Presuming, for a moment, that the wiring you're talking about is
normal low voltage - that is, 230VAC, then connector strip isn't
illegal, just dodgy, if it's only wrapped up in insulation tape.

If you're talking about the Extra low voltage - e.g. 12V secondary
side of the transformers, then only ceramic connectors should be used,
because of the heat.

You can easily obtain small inline connector boxes, which essentially
are plastic or heat resistant connecting block within an inline case.
These are generally only an inch and a bit across by about two inches
long - sorry, about twenty mil wide by about fifty mil long. Far
neater, much safer.

Insulating tape doesn't have many heat resisting properties. Nor does
plastic strip connector.

Other than that, feeding the connector through the fitting aperture in
the ceiling is OK, so long as it is connected safely, for heat AND
power.

Also, with regards to access of junction boxes. In this property,
almost all JB's are accessible via the loft, but a few are beneath a
floor above. Of those, some can be popped down if the light fitting is
removed, but if this isn't possible, is it mandatory that permanent
access be provided somehow from above?

Nope - see above.

This would require a hatch
somewhere, but wouldn't be great in some types of flooring, and could
be impossible if the floor above was tiled, had underfloor heating etc.
Longer cable runs to JB's that are located at an accessible point
should be possible in that case (but maybe not always), but with even
more complicated and obscure wiring as a result.

Generally, it is a question of cable size and rating.

Bear in mind that on the primary side, the current is lower although
the voltage is higher - the reverse is true on the secondary.

It isn't uncommon to run ULV lighting in 4mm T&E on the secondary,
back to a central JB, making off the fitting in ceramic blocks at the
fitting end.

Using a connector
strip would then seem the better solution as bringing a light down from
the ceiling would be possible, albeit not ideal, and would give more
logical and straightforward wiring.

Yes, so long as it is the correct connector for the job.