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1.5mm vs 2.5mm mains
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Grubbah View Drop Down
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    Posted: 21 June 2016 at 9:40am
I'm making up a load of in and out adaptors for a bunch of Martin moving heads in my lighting rig.

Simply a male 16a to a female 16a and back out to another female. The idea being I can run all 8 off a single 16a feed, making the rig tidy. The tails will be 1M either side

My head said I should make these out of 2.5mm H07-RNF, my wallet wants to make it with 1.5mm as I can get a drum with over twice as much cable for the same price.

Would 1.5mm be ok use?
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Points: 2186 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote imageoven Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 June 2016 at 10:51am
You might struggle to get 2 x 2.5mm2 into a 16A plug/ socket contacts / strain relief and its generaly not approved of because of this (although common).

http://cpc.farnell.com/lewden/pm16-a131g/splitter-16a-240v-splitline-black/dp/PL10886

These make a lot more sense although you may need short 16A - 16As too

Lewden are ok quality, similar things can be had for under £9.
Keep pushing on, things are gonna get better.
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dylan-penguinmedia View Drop Down
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Go 2.5 H07.

If it doesn't fit, you shouldn't be doing it ;) (ie the splitter cables)

For what you want, use 16a T lines.

http://m.stage-electrics.co.uk/shop/sales/connectors/power/230volt-single-phase/16a-blue-single-phase/product.aspx?code=636-3592

Edited by dylan-penguinmedia - 21 June 2016 at 1:26pm
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AM55 View Drop Down
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Just buy 16a T connectors.

http://www.distributionzone.com/Products/Plugs-Sockets/Splitters-Adapters/Lewden-230V-2P-E-T-Line-Connector-Plug-and-Socket
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dylan-penguinmedia View Drop Down
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Oh and a home made in / out 16a doesn't maintain the IP rating
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1.5mm is basically for heavy duty BS1363 13A socket ness.

Anything 16A BS4343 plugs (Cee form) requires 2.5mm, really. It will be fused at 16A, probably on a C curve to boot, so 1.5mm wont pass mustard!

However, the IEC60309 spec for Cee Forms also specifies maximum cable gauge, and 16A cee is rated to take up to 5mm2, i.e. two 2.5mm2. Try bootlace ferules. I picked up a hex crimp tool (nicer than the square ones), with container of ferules, 0.5 to 6mm, for about £25 from ebay. Makes life so much more pleasant.

Also, when you have to pass one end through a wall (make sure you pass the end that goes towards the upstream fuse, guarantees no voltage on the bare wires!!!) the ferules mean you don't have to cut back and re-terminate, so your leads last longer, and stay longer!!
Matt Stolton - Technical Director (!!!) - Wilding Sound Ltd
"Sparkius metiretur vestra" - "Meter Your Mains"
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norty303 View Drop Down
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Agreed on the T-Lines although I prefer to use the ceeforms and t-lines from the black range from PCE

https://www.essentialsupplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000071.cgi?WD=black%20pce&PN=T%2dConnector%2dAll%2dBlack%2dmade%2dby%2dPCE%2dEAD16B%2ehtml#SID=47
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Points: 10919 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote toastyghost Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 21 June 2016 at 7:23pm
Originally posted by norty303 norty303 wrote:

Agreed on the T-Lines although I prefer to use the ceeforms and t-lines from the black range from PCE

https://www.essentialsupplies.co.uk/cgi-bin/sh000071.cgi?WD=black%20pce&PN=T%2dConnector%2dAll%2dBlack%2dmade%2dby%2dPCE%2dEAD16B%2ehtml#SID=47


Us too, way better quality.
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Andylaser View Drop Down
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Points: 300 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Andylaser Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 June 2016 at 5:37pm
Much easier to work on as well.
KES are a good source for PCE connectors.


Edited by Andylaser - 25 June 2016 at 5:38pm
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amlu View Drop Down
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Points: 740 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote amlu Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2016 at 5:55am
You will struggle a lot with getting 2x 2.5 cable into a 16a plug/socket. Little better with 1.5 but it will still look rough.
+1 on 16a splitters mentioned above...
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haymere View Drop Down
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Points: 585 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote haymere Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2016 at 10:53am
Go 1.5mm as you can do circuits of up to 22m before you have voltage drop
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Points: 585 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote haymere Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 June 2016 at 10:59am
P.S. I have done a voltage drop spreadsheet which it would be useful to pin for everyone, mods can you help me get it across
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