LED bulbs

[Jack Peterson]

 We have 52 lamps ( light bulbs) in our House all now LED Because we can buy Bulk no problem, If we changed them all each year it will be 3.900 peso. I just do not see the problem 

[jimeve]

49 minutes ago, Jack Peterson said:

 We have 52 lamps ( light bulbs) in our House all now LED Because we can buy Bulk no problem, If we changed them all each year it will be 3.900 peso. I just do not see the problem 

How many Filipinos to change a light bulb... Only joking mate. Kuya John might know.

[Gary D]

Not a fan of wire nuts myself as they are frowned apon for 230v here in Europe. I aways send and keep a stock of screw terminal junction boxes.

[Tommy T.]

17 hours ago, Gary D said:

Not a fan of wire nuts myself as they are frowned apon for 230v here in Europe. I aways send and keep a stock of screw terminal junction boxes.

That is the best way to go, I believe too. But I see wire nuts as at least a step above twisted and wrapped in tape? I know it's not the perfect solution, but I see it as better than the apparent norm? They are commonly used in house wiring in USA - or I should better say - they were used commonly when I had a house built in the 1980's... I don't know what is the norm there today?

Actually, I am accustomed to using plastic sleeved crimp connectors (I showed my collection to the contractors - they'd never seen these before - and the guy is an electronics engineer!) covered with shrink-wrapped, adhesive lined, heat-shrinked, rubber tubing. Yes... way over the top for house wiring, but it was totally waterproof and never failed on the yacht! 

Edited July 15, 2019 by Tommy T.

[hk blues]

5 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

That is the best way to go, I believe too.

Then why not go that way Tom?  Joking apart, things don't have to be done the way they are in the USA if a better alternative exists. 

[Tommy T.]

7 minutes ago, hk blues said:

Then why not go that way Tom?  Joking apart, things don't have to be done the way they are in the USA if a better alternative exists. 

Well,  I did convince the contractors to make sure the wire nuts with the tape will be the way to connect the LED lights and junction box connections. They were familiar with wire nuts, unless they are equipped with solid push-on connectors themselves. I just see a potential for voltage loss if dirt or moisture (what, moisture in the 75% humidity of the Philippines? Ha!) penetrate connections. And possibly fire, if it is with a high load appliance? Okay...so maybe I am a bit paranoid but, since the house will be built from scratch, both L and I agree to try to make everything - especially the electrics - solid. I am so pleased to learn about those AVRs because I think they will really reduce or eliminate the possibility of LED and other electrics failure.

Edited July 15, 2019 by Tommy T.

[bastonjock]

6 hours ago, Tommy T. said:

That is the best way to go, I believe too. But I see wire nuts as at least a step above twisted and wrapped in tape? I know it's not the perfect solution, but I see it as better than the apparent norm? They are commonly used in house wiring in USA - or I should better say - they were used commonly when I had a house built in the 1980's... I don't know what is the norm there today?

Actually, I am accustomed to using plastic sleeved crimp connectors (I showed my collection to the contractors - they'd never seen these before - and the guy is an electronics engineer!) covered with shrink-wrapped, adhesive lined, heat-shrinked, rubber tubing. Yes... way over the top for house wiring, but it was totally waterproof and never failed on the yacht! 

Crimping using a proper crimping tool is tge best way to join cables , a decent crimping tool should leave a small mark on the crimp to show that its a good connection 

[Tommy T.]

9 minutes ago, bastonjock said:

Crimping using a proper crimping tool is tge best way to join cables , a decent crimping tool should leave a small mark on the crimp to show that its a good connection 

I agree with you baston, thanks...

But I am not sure if the electricians would get the hang of that. It sounds like you are familiar with crimp connectors. It is possible - and I have done it several times myself - to not get the wires properly located when crimped. They need to be tested by pulling on them firmly to ensure they are done correctly and do not just pull apart. I am not sure if they would do that follow through.

I also have to be careful - so I have been advised by L - to not sound like a know-it-all around these electricians who are supposedly professionals as it may irritate them causing them to not do a proper job out of spite, or simply just leave and not work at all. I have decent crimping tools, but no way I would loan them out - I would buy new and hope it (or they) would survive the construction. I guess I reckon that, if wire nuts were good enough for USA household wiring, maybe it's good enough here? And they are simple to use. But, again, these connections also need to be checked with a pull on the wires because they can also not be done correctly... More to worry about!

Edited July 15, 2019 by Tommy T.

[hk blues]

You are right to be aware of the pitfalls when using contractors here Tom.  I would say though,  there is a fine line between taking an appropriate level of interest and poking your nose in - imagine how a professional in the USA (or anywhere for that matter)  would feel about a homeowner offering a bit too much advice?  Also, no matter how much you want to be, you cannot be on site at all times to oversee.  Just choose a contractor wisely and trust them to do the job to an acceptable standard.   Keep a watching brief but be aware of professional, and personal, pride here. 

Good Luck!  

[Tommy T.]

Yes...  HK that's sound advice. L is keeping me on the straight and narrow too! We looked at a home currently underway by these contractors and it looks well constructed and solid so we are quite confident they will build a good home. They built the apartment building where I live too.