Waterproof Outdoor junctions

[WvW]

Looking for some advice on any products which may help me with making some electrical junctions waterproof.

I have 6 outdoor lights, each connect into the supply cable via a wiska junction box. The supply cable runs in and out of all the boxes (excluding the last one in the chain), into a junction block, and the supply wire to the light then is wired into the same block.

All was well for a while, before I started getting spurious trips. I checked the boxes and sure enough they have got moisture in, and are causing the trip. I think this is because soil has mounded up around them (not covered, just around the bottom third), and I guess the moisture is just getting in over time.

Anyway, I would like to make the junctions waterproof - I've looked at wiska gel, but it seems pretty pricey. Is there any alternative products which may be cheaper?

My other option was to try the wago gel boxes - does anyone have any experience of them?

Or has anyone got any other options I should consider?

 

[Matrixx]

Are you using ip68 glands like these?

 

[WvW]

I'm using swa, but i have used the outdoor glands -

I'm wondering about using the gel boxes you can get - if I can fit them inside of the wiska boxes then it wouldn't matter if moisture gets in. I think they are ipX8 rated.

 

[sparkysy]

If you are using wiska boxes with SWA cable you will need a wiska earthing plate to keep continuity of the swa earth from your cw glands here

Earthing Kit for Combi 308 Enclosure (Pack of 2)

Speeds up installation of SWA cable

www.cef.co.uk

They will fit in the 208 & 308 boxes.
Then use a stuffing gland for the flex to the light fitting.
Even using CW glands and ip65 stuffing glands you will still get some moisture inside the box!
The gel isnt that expensive but worth every penny and will stop any water ingress.

https://www.superlecdirect.com/5828-wiska-mpgel-mp0030w-insulating-gel-300ml/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5149061780&hsa_cam=17632048532&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gclid=CjwKCAjwq5-WBhB7EiwAl-HEkjf4qcX8ICA6merGKfH1Y3RdokrhwyiaM8lar3vgIDlCImeVGrfaFhoC54gQAvD_BwE

You will struggle to get 3 gelboxes inside a 308 box they may fit but it will be tight as. Something I have not tried as I just use the gel.
Bigger wiska boxes are available that would house them but they are rather large to look at.
Hope that helps!
Sy

 

[dobbslc]

As @sparkysy says make sure the glands and linked or you risk induced voltage in the SWA and if someone hits the cable with a spade the armour isn't earthed!
I used the Rey Tech blue gel from Toolstation in my sump pump connection and it's very good.

Raytech Magic Gel IP68

A low-viscosity, non-toxic potting compound with no shelf life. When cast in suitable casings, this Raytech Magic Gel can offer an IP68 degree of protection.Once poured, Magic Gel gets to work quickly and cross links in less than 10 minutes - without causing any thermal stress to the materials...

www.toolstation.com

The first pump failed so I had to disconnect it but the gel can be easily pulled out to reach the terminations. I used Wago connectors as they are very quick and easy to use and you get a secure connection.

You'll never get a fully waterproof enclosure with CW glands or stuffing glands, they always let something through.

 

[WvW]

Thanks chaps - the swa has been earthed throughout the boxes which is good (about 5 or 6 strands have been taken from each incoming cable, into a common earth terminal, rather than the wiska earthing kit - is this ok?)

With the gel, is it effectively one per box? I've around 7 boxes to fill - I'm not bothered if it works, but I wondered how many to get - I need to check if they are 308 boxes.

 

[dobbslc]

The box in my photo is about 4" square and the 300mm gel kit filled it twice*.
* I had to put a couple of plastic fillers in for the second fill as it was just a bit low.

 

[armalites]

I've the Wiska boxes for the connection to my workshop lights, they are just nice to use. I like the fact you can just screw the glands in and they will pop out the blank, save so much messing about.

@dobbslc for outside that gel filled box look to be the best possible for a water tight connection. Does that stuff go off quickly?

 

[dobbslc]

Does that stuff go off quickly?

5-10 minutes.