Overloading Cable Connectors, Electrician

So I brought a welder to turn into a ampage pushing machine, going to do a series of videos surrounding this so keep your eyes peeled,
my Instagram is / n_bundy_electrical

[@stefanovanenio]

Judging by the amount of current that the cable can take and the connectors, I feel safer when using them as they can take considerably more than their rating factor. It just goes to show, as long as you have the correct sized breaker the installation should remain safe..... Assuming correct installation and to regs of course. Great vid Batman, love the science side, also big thumbs up to John Ward.

[@mts7274]

What exactly is the purpose of a test like this when your biggest point of failure is the wire insulation itself?

[@contytub]

​@@mts7274 i guess confirming compliance and adequacy?...

[@leonblittle226]

The connector block compared to the others did well, but it's a big lump of metal which just goes to show they aren't bad if installed correctly with some care. Everything took more than double the rated load before it started to go wrong which is comforting to know.

[@andyroberts3675]

Manufacturers will always give themselves so much room in the ratings charts, much like supermarket use by dates, they go well over to cover themselves

[@highkicker11]

i wont think is a good thing to have the cable be the most likely point of ignition. if the connector would have failed at its rating with out a spark now that would have stopped the chance of a fire. after all the circuit is now broken.

[@Thermalions]

@@highkicker11 I'm no Sparky, but I'd have thought failing without risk of spark isn't part of the design requirements of these sort of connectors. Isn't that what the fuses are supposed to do (assuming they haven't been bypassed)?

[@highkicker11]

@@Thermalions yeah fuses are suppose to do that but if some idiot by passes it. the former first responder in me would be happy if a major fire would have been stopped because of the connector failing when it reaches it stated limit. because i just know there is no such thing as fool proof.

[@Liberator975]

@@highkicker11 the heat generated by the poor connection is enough to start the fire. A loose connection doesn't need to have any visible arcing. The higher resistance of the connection is what causes heat and eventually failure of the connection

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Suggestion : coiled vs. uncoiled extension lead. Also cheapo multi-way socket blocks - can they actually handle 13A?

[@mikepembo8297]

Daisy chained extension leads would be interesting too. I think we all know the answers to most of these already but, just like Big Clive and ElectroBoom, we want fire :)

[@Thermalions]

I'd be interested also to see what the coiled vs uncoiled lead is like with a load equivalent to say a radiant/oil heater etc on it (or maybe three - just for the views; no-one would ever do that, would they?).

[@Liberator975]

@@mikepembo8297 the original flame man was photonicinduction. Miss his conent

[@mikepembo8297]

@@Liberator975 I miss it too. I was just thinking about his channel the other day and was going to have a check for new content, but given your comment I guess he hasn't returned for a while :( The guy was bonkers (in a good way) but I understand he had some personal issues going on at the time. I just hope he's on a good path and happy despite not posting to KZbin

[@Liberator975]

@@mikepembo8297 absolutely

[@benhayes5096]

Watching you vids at least 3-4 times a week, only been in the trade for 18 months and I'm 45 years old so saves me untold embarrassment when I forget how to do something, I can scroll through the library of vids you posted and usually pick up a few tips. Thank you so much, keep it up m8 really appreciate it. Don.

[@g.williamswilliams8442]

As a prehistoric dinosaur spark , I have not become a huge fan of the modern day Wago, so this video has reassured me. Great demonstration, cheers.

[@mfx1]

The Wago failing like that is a good thing it acted as a fuse and possibly saved the house burning down. It still survived WAY over it's rated current and unlike the terminal block which seemingly was better hasn't screws to get loose over time. Long term old style terminal blocks are far more of a liability.

[@SuperUltimateLP]

is has failed way way above its rating... i dont see that as a problem even less so when there are WAGOs that can easily handle 32 and 40A ?!

[@jasonradders2088]

Definitely my new favourite sparky on youtube!

[@williammartinculleton7523]

Excellent ! Thank you, good old connector block, been using them for 65 years !!!🇮🇪☘️

[@mfx1]

The Wago failing like that is a good thing it acted as a fuse and possibly saved the house burning down. It still survived WAY over it's rated current and unlike the terminal block which seemingly was better hasn't screws to get loose over time. Long term old style terminal blocks are far more of a liability.

[@SRCardow1]

It was good to see that all the connection method held above the rated specifications. For this to happen in the real world the overcurrent protection would have to fail. Wago failing might not be a bad problem at failure point as it opened the circuit whereas all others would have kept generating more heat. Nice video glad you kept staying safety precautions.

[@KobraVenomGaming]

Some great information there. I always tell people off when I can see they are overloading extension leads. Big thumbs up. 👍

[@cookiecrumble19]

Brilliant video, didn't expect the choc block to last

[@dadskillz]

Well done on the 40k most deserved!!

[@mikeselectricstuff]

Did you check the calibration of the display on the welder?

[@paullill5604]

Good indication that actually the old style connector blocks are best due to having the most metal and largest csa of contact with the cable cores. Does just go to show that going back to the metal cable clips is a massive improvement in safety, especially on fire escape routes.

[@mfx1]

The Wago failing like that is a good thing it acted as a fuse and possibly saved the house burning down. It still survived WAY over it's rated current and unlike the terminal block which seemingly was better hasn't screws to get loose over time. Long term old style terminal blocks are far more of a liability.

[@tomokmotorpart7599]

yes,screw terminal safe forever even in socket,plug,socket,mcb,main switch use screw terminal connection.. for joint cable for permanent please use cable link..

[@TheSadcyclist]

Must say youre wasted as just an electrician, you should be on the tv or teaching people, youre so natural , and you've done the job you'd be training people to do, another great video. Paul

[@NBundyElectrical]

Thanks mate 👍👍

[@sportgliderider]

Nice one Nick. i bet like me you thought the old connector block would have gone first. very interesting.

[@Fishbait075]

Flamin' heck Bundy. This video is pure fire !

[@tww5719]

Good old connector strip,never let me down 👍

[@samsimington5563]

I too have seen John Ward's video on this as well as one made by Electromagnetic Videos. The results both of them got for what each type of connector can handle for overloads is mostly the same. As the plastic and cable both failed long before the connections would've

[@marksmith-ew7ir]

Great work to show none electrical person not to do and what I a nail or screw can penetrate cables can do

[@Walterz930]

I have not long ago found your channel and really enjoying it been watching most videos on the night when I can not sleep because of having a cast on my arm

[@charleyfloyd3317]

I have taught electrical trades and NEC classes in the US for 41 years. I find it fascinating the difference in wiring methods and codes. I always encourage my students to watch your videos to learn how other countries perform their work. You are indeed a professional!

[@nomorefaith4988]

Actually reassured by this vid. Surprised they could take so much!

[@jamiebourne8047]

Looks like good old choc-block connectors are the future then 😄

[@NBundyElectrical]

😂😂

[@arcadia1701e]

Not maintaince free though.

[@paulthompson5416]

@@arcadia1701e tail light guarantee 👌🏼😂

[@TheXsheeple]

Ok if you want to burn your house down

[@TheXsheeple]

@@puntoboy_gaming exactly 😊

[@MrDazzathedude]

Love your work and find it very interesting, you are clear, precise and come across very trustworthy. shame you are not located closer to where I live :):) you got yourself another subscriber.... have a fab day.

[@simiiee]

That was some good shit. Fair play Bundy your A1. Big respect from Ireland

[@dempower]

Watching the smoke coming off the wires made me want to hold my breath haha

[@garyu353]

That wago took alot of beating mr bundy!!!haha, keep up the good work!

[@rogerbeck3018]

thanks for a very instructive video Nick. I did watch the John Ward video also, additional line of thought - use 2.5mm TPS so the behaviour of the pvc insulation can be observed. great work.

[@martinw245]

Amazing that the old fashioned cable block did so well

[@artisanelectrics]

Well done on 40k mate you got there in the end 😂

[@NBundyElectrical]

Lol cheers bud 🙌🙌

[@no_short_circuit]

Great stuff Nick. A picture is worth a thousand words. I know JW has maybe cornered the market on this sort of stuff but the more of this the better for me.

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

you bought a welder. you brought the welder with you to the unit.

[@KevinSmith-ph6jv]

Extremely satisfying to watch 👏

[@oyleyhands1332]

To be honest, I expected the 'chocbloc' connector to do well, if a good initial connection was made, it's when incorrectly connected they suffer. Examples like overtightned screws and threads stripped so connection tension is lost etc.

[@izools]

This was an awesoe segment dude, thank you. There's probably a discussion to be had about DC amps from a welder vs AC amp,s from a ring main, continuous current vs RMS current, and the effect the difference has on current handling of a given cable... but we'll leave that for another day... Or for JW :) What is enlightening is that the oldest type of interconnect (screw-down block connector / chock block) had both the best current handling and the best mechanical integrity of all the types of interconnect. Do you think this will change how you join cables in future? Wago are easy to install... but you've just proen they're the least reliable in a fault condition...

[@b96m13]

Least reliable at 120 amps yeah haha

[@izools]

@@b96m13 120A definitely seems like a fault condition to me 🤣🤣 One day someone's gonna wire their EV charger in 2.5mm and the OCP is gonna fail you can be sure of it...

[@christianclark1354]

If the insulation has melted off the entire cable then I think we can forgive the Wago... In this case it acted as a fuse and turned off the 2.5mm house-sized heating element 🤣 I once bought 2x "refurbished" stage lights from eBay which both contained undersized old style block-connectors that were extremely hot and actually melting the outside plastic of the device and was severely burning inside!... so, it's not a case of "block connector is better than a wago" it's a case of using the correct tool for the job. If either is not-rated for the amount of current it's a fire waiting to happen. In some ways the Wago is actually less dangerous in the hands of an idiot because it always applies the correct torque (screw-down connectors can be under or over tightened), and as they just look a bit flimsier so people don't just put them in without stopping and reading the rating which is printed on them, unlike most terminal blocks.

[@martinw245]

Wagos are maintanace free. Connector blocks aren't. The 221 is also available in a 40 amp version now.

[@jeremylister89]

DC and RMS = same heating effect until skin effect kicks in at higher frequencies. Then ac will cause more heat.

[@peterprice8393]

You have to take into account that you are using a lower voltage but high amperage, also that the welder will be using a DC direct current not AC alternating current , so you are testing these connectors not directly in how they would be used in peoples homes, you should also have a proven amp meter in the circuit and not just trust the welder dial . But does show the dangers of what happens when loading is not taken into account on any electrical circuits. Keep up the vlogs Nick

[@sheridan2020]

You should do it with the old fuses to see what they blow at and compare it to MCB's. Would be interesting to see the difference between old and new gear.

[@aharonstubbs4089]

That’s a good one to be fair

[@johnhoward2104]

Great idea, that would be a good one to see. The old rewireables are supposed to have a fusing factor of around 2 on overload, and CBs an I2 of around 1.45In, so would be good to see it in action.

[@darknessdestroyer5524]

John Ward has done it 👍

[@johnhoward2104]

@@darknessdestroyer5524 found this one from good 'ol JW for the fuse wire: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jZmpaoekbdZsq9U but couldn't see one for CBs.

[@darknessdestroyer5524]

@@johnhoward2104 yes, sorry I should have said that it was fuse wire that he was testing, it would be interesting to see if the overcurrents applied to MCB's match up to the regs as in regards to trip times 👍

[@JBE]

Congrats on 40k Nick 👌 and great new content 👏.

[@WILSON-sn4zy]

congrats on the milestone mate really enjoying your videos. I'm currently a truck driver just enrolled on a course to become a spark so picking up any tips and tricks from yourself i used to work as a chippy so hoping the 2 trades combined can generate a decent amount of work

[@speedmytube]

Congrats on 40K. You could have said the plastic clips were a deliberate demonstration of premature collapse :)

[@deltalambda3864]

very important demonstration, pretty sure you will have college lecturers using your videos to demonstrate the importance of the circuit design and protective device selection. i saw the sparks fly banner and it reminded me of my old KZbin channel where i overloaded things to destruction. i still do that sort of stuff just for entertainment but there is not much science behind it unfortunately its just dumb experiments, i want to produce more electronic content. i have some more light controller projects that i am hoping to squeeze a video out on. thanks for sharing.

[@rebel4466]

The problems in installations usually come from bad jobs or connections that have been worked on. The connector block is great if you seat everything correctly once and tighten it down with the appropriate amount of pressure. Even better if you use ferrules. But if you work on the connection or don't use ferrules and only clamp down certain strands while others are either loose or damaged, things can get funny fast. If you take care and do everything correct, you don't have to worry about all the options. Question is which is the most likely to be used in a wrong way? That's where the Wago shines in my opinion. You can disconnect and reconnect pretty much as often as you want and you won't get a damaged cable, while being able to see through the thing to make sure the connector is well seated.

[@flippyfurbex]

gives me vibes of photonicinduction videos i miss his stuff good video mate !

[@matthewwalley2412]

Thanks nick interesting video. One suggestion if you are going to do more of this type of testing “experimenting” it may be worth setting up a dedicated power point though a contractor and e stop so if anything goes wrong you can cut the supply quickly.

[@adamcarter3854]

Congrats on 40,000 subs, another great video, loving the different types of videos, stay safe Nick and team 😁

[@jontownsend8090]

I love a good litmus test of cables and connections. Would you be able to rig up accessories with poor connections and illustrate how hot these high resistance connections can get in the real world. Use of the thermal imaging camera would be great on this experiment.

[@reecehorner3736]

Very interesting, I'm an old school electrician.Did my apprenticeship when 15th Edition was in place, Obviously things have improved greatly and for the better, but I just can't believe push fit is a better connection than two wires actually touching and screwed tight. So heat expansion loosen screws? Push fit Mains tails next then? Great informative demonstration Nick really enjoyed it 👍

[@Mattja1]

I think you've it it on the head there "two wires actually touching and screwed tight" (but not too tight). If it's done right the old way holds up great, hence all the torque settings in consumer units now. But with the amount of DIY/careless work out there now I trust a wago to still give a good connection after some such person has fiddled with it, even if it's the first to go here under extreme circumstances. I'm yet to find a melted wago in an installation, but I have found melted connector blocks, most of which I'm pretty sure had been put in not long ago by DIY-dad having a go (going to give 2nd place to the eastern-european kitchen fitters claiming they trained as a spark back home, maybe that's why they had to leave!). Hence why I look forward to the day we get sockets, switches, and lights with wago-style connections, because they so often get fiddled with by the DIYers.

[@Liberator975]

Its more a spring compression fitting rather than push fit. Even when the plastic melts away it will still hold current with the steel

[@johnschlesinger2009]

I'm not surprised that the wago failed first. I was in the trade yonks ago, and, to me those things look horribly flimsy. The best connection - in accessible positions - would almost certainly be a porcelain connector block! 34A for 2.5 seems very high: in my day, 2.5 T&E clipped direct was rated at 27A for a conductor operating temperature of 70C.

[@haydenuk02]

Great work as always. Thanks for the awesome content stay safe and take care

[@three-phase562]

40.2k subscribers when I watched this - congratulations. The wago has the least copper in it, so not surprising that it was the first to fail. I wonder if the connection pressure of the wago was also affected by the heat. That looks like an inverter style welder, so as per below, would be interesting to see a true RMS clamp meter reading the current to see how it compares to the readout on the welder.

[@ellishughes3478]

Congratulations for 40k subs , lovely to see such a honest guy (and adam) grow , keep it up. Ps - I need a kitchen re-wire XD

[@oiuslags]

4mm single core is 37 amps , 2.5 mm is 27 amps table 4D1A For 70 c thermoplastic single core page 401 Or did you use the single core 90 c thermosetting cable table 4E1A ?

[@Alex-qb8no]

That's very cool and interesting, Thanks.

[@garethjenkins8545]

"chock block" the winner : )

[@TheXsheeple]

Not really, do you want a wire acting as a heating element? The Wago went first acting like a fuse, which I would say is the safer of the bunch. @ 4 X the rating they all exceeded what they were disigned to do.

[@garethjenkins8545]

@@TheXsheeple with a big dramatic spark like that 😳 mmmmm ! yep they all did well over 👍 but the “chock block” almost looked reusable (of course you wouldn’t 🤪) and of course it was meant as a joke hence the : ) 🙄

[@AndyK.1]

@@TheXsheeple Connectors are meant to connect cables together the best they can. They aren’t meant to be fuses !!!🤪

[@TheXsheeple]

@@AndyK.1 It did what it was rated to do.:)

[@mfx1]

The Wago possibly saved the house catching fire.

[@CthulhuOO7]

Would you rather have the terminal that keeps the connection through 150 amps, or something that can take 100amps but would fails earlier acting as a kind of fuse?

[@superiorcomfortheatingairl4636]

Great Video, Wagos is just starting to show up here in United States, majority of HVAC distributors here only sell Wire Nuts and no Wago. I did ask them if they were planning to stock them, their reply was they never heard of them.

[@stupot_64]

Ideal do similar connectors. I believe that Ideal are better known in the USA.

[@shawndubay4050]

Holy smokes. Hey which one of those would you use for a bathroom vanity light?? It has two 60 volt bulbs. Not nearly the power like in the demonstration. I have to make a stranded wire to solid wire connection. I know electricity creates heat through resistance and I don't want my house going up in smoke. If you were in my boots what would you do?? I do appreciate any help or advice and I thank you in advance.

[@batmanpaul1]

Great video,keep up the good work

[@DoctorElectricYouTube]

Good video mate, really surprised as well that they withstood such a high current before completely dying, keep up the good work mate, we appreciate the videos!!

[@Interknetz]

With my computer and 2 monitors, plugged into an extension, no issues. Wild part which will most likely trigger you, I plug a portable AC into an extension that is plugged into the extension my computer is plugged into. However, I have checked during the summer when both are on (and I don't run the AC full speed given my room is small), and no issues with heat. I probably ought to check what amps all these things use next time summer rolls around...

[@electrician247]

Very interesting and well presented. Looking forward to all the future experiments! Awesome work on 40k!

[@pauledwards9493]

Science with Mr. Bundy

[@jamesnorthwood4851]

Love you’re channel mate , the wago 221 in the uk are rated at 32amps , the other rating on the other side , think it’s 300 odd volts is only for Japan and that 20amp rating . All the best dude

[@8inary]

Whilst other youtubers have done this, a test of fake wago's would be good to add to your library. I was doing a video myself on fake wagos, and when I was looking just on ebay, there were so many I ended up stopping. There are plenty which the copiers have done, which wago dont even do, whoever design the wagos for the copiers, have seemingly taken the product range further, and I have no doubt that wago will in the end, copy the copiers. Also, you inadvertently demonstrated why you use metal clips in certain areas instead of plastic ones. Finally congrats on getting 40k+ subs, you will have to give Dan some tips lol 😜😜😜

[@johnburns4017]

Nice to see a 2.5mm T&E tested.

[@JackDaLadd]

I went through a cable at my father in laws, 32a radial, the cable connector i repaired it with melted and it was rated for 32a 250v, had to repair it today with the same connector a year after the original repair due to that happening, what would you recommend for inside a plaster wall to repair it better, as i don't trust the cable connector anymore

[@jamesmills6766]

Really good video thanks

[@matthewgillibrand1755]

Mint Video dude. Nice PB Bags 👍🏻

[@westinthewest]

I was amazed to see how all those day-today connectors we use are under-rated by the manufacturers, but I've found that it's the opposite when it comes to 13A plugs and FCUs. I've seen many of those suffer with continuous heavy loads which they should have been fine with. Fused spurs are usually unnecessary for fixed loads, so I always avoid specifying them when regulations say they can be omitted.

[@johngardner5382]

very interesting to see what go on keep the videos

[@markmurray1130]

Quick question please mate, would you say i could get away with a standard through crimp when making a joint in a cable and burying it in a wall ? I'm having to move a couple of sockets to a safe distance from the hob (300mm) but as per usual they've called me in after the kitchens been installed, so I'm left with no choice but to join the cable somehow, originally I thought every joint needed to be accessible but I read on the IET website that through crimps are deemed as an acceptable permanent joint and can be burried ? Would appreciate your advice 👍🏻

[@charlesjelfs4902]

Great work Mr bundy... Great channel. Can we see some kopex hooked up to the welder..... See how it gets on.. 😁👍

[@mintsauce563]

Would be interesting to see a non fire rated downlight vs fire rated mounted on plaster board

[@atkt62]

So the connector block is probably at or close to the wire temperature,but the plastic casing is restricting.the heat emissions which is why it appears cooler. Very.good video

[@ashleylewis6062]

Very interesting, thanks Nick 👌🏻

[@johnhoward2104]

Can't believe 2 have disliked this video😵 - what's not to like - electricity, heat, fire, things going bang - great stuff! - Couldn't stop watching the wire until the end. But we need close-ups of this stuff, get right in there to see the final action, with maybe the odd action replay and slo-mo to see the details.👍😀

[@paullill5604]

Ones probably from Mr J Ward

[@Shompenify1]

Well the connections seems to be best in normal screw connectors!

[@jimmypage1]

Wago 221 are 32amp in the UK

[@Dan-vw6sf]

Surely the wago failing in this scenario is a good thing if it interrupts the current and prevents fire?

[@connerwright1322]

Very interesting, especially from my view as an apprentice!

[@hoangnguyendinh291]

I just bought some cheap thin cable. And I was looking for this video. I don't know if it's ok to have them used for battery charging

[@dang8795]

Arent the wago 221s rated at 32A? I believe the 20A rating listed on them relates to their certification for use in Japan, Great video btw, looking forward to further experiments! haha

[@dan123collins]

Yes I believe that to be the case too 👍

[@mikewatts3646]

Yes I thought they were rated at 32amp

[@sergiofernandez3725]

Interesting video. Can we have the same using old cable VIR. Also some 2.5mm in some flexicon would be good and will show why the charts show different ratings depending on cable routing/clipping/under insulation. Great educational video. You good job

[@RichardArblaster]

Great video dude, looking forward to others in the series 😎

[@BenHArtist]

Be interesting to see how some everyday and replacement mobile phone chargers would stand upto a test like this. Congrats on the 40k Nick, fully deserved mate 😎🤙

[@drunkinpiper]

Hi Nick, thanks for the video. I think that the Wagos are rated at 32A.

[@Standoff413]

Your the man bro keep it up...

[@kimbo1966]

So the old connector block was best. Newbie question , why are wagos more popular ? Speed and strength of connection ?

[@paulthompson5416]

To be fair all the connections done well considering the amperage put through them. I’m actually quite surprised 🤷🏼‍♂️

[@michaelsimpson6603]

great content and well done.

[@owenj2394]

So if i wanted to extend a ring main what would be the best way

[@Land-of-reason]

Is this a surprise? You have gone well above the specification.

[@webluke]

Did the spring clamp pop on the 221 when it melted. That seems why it would pop as it did. They all took way more than the rating and it shows you why those ratings are low to be safe but can stand more for when people use them wrong or faults happen. When is Bundy10 going to be Bundy100K?

[@Richardincancale]

Hi - good video. Next time I would put a decent clamp meter on the wire to show actual amps rather than Chinese welder amps :-)

[@NBundyElectrical]

Good idea cheers bud

[@ConjuredUndead]

Yes mate. Exactly this. Clamp meter should’ve been on from the start!

[@farmersteve129]

I'm guessing that it's a DC welder, so would need to be a decent hall effect type clamp meter - definitely not an Amazon special.

[@Liberator975]

I was gutted when i didn't see an amp meter... From a spark testing electricity 😂😂🙀

[@osianmeilyr89]

Especially as welders down the cheaper end of the scale are known to be anything but accurate on the dial.

[@almac56]

I can’t believe you’ve defaced a Woody cowboy!!! Excellent video as usual.

[@dougsaunders8109]

Good video. Small point or order. That FFP3 respirator does not protect you against gas and vapour.

[@fablan3308]

I'm looking to put an LED light outside I have a halogen one at the moment but the Leeds not for led so I need a outside junction box to connect the wire to my new led security light those clips will be ok to use won't they LEVER CONNECTOR

[@tonyomalley901]

When I was a 12th Edition apprentice we went to a BICC factory, think it was Preston or Manchester, they rigged up 3/036 PVC insulated and MICC and put 100A plus till they glowed red hot. The MICC was discoloured but still usable.

[@paulprescott7913]

Very interesting vid Nick.

[@markhutton6824]

So you tested why beyond he specifications on the wire and the connectors are was surprised they failed. Not sure how this is a test of anything. I have WAGOs in my ceiling lights, most of my electrical requirements in my shed. I start the platform drill powered my basic three core cable and the joints are WAGO and never a smell. When I start up my grinding discs there is no issue with the electrics. Because the WAGO I use ae rated to 30AMP... an electrical oven is 30AMP... as long as you aren't using WAGO for the mains electric coming into the house then what its the issue?

[@PT4LifeYO]

Wago 221s are 32a? Plus what torque do you have in the block connector screws. 😂