Have read that putting Duct tape around a small junction box can be dangerous.

anotherquestion

Hi,

I have just replaced a few Led security lights and because the cable comes out of them, I have had to use a few small junction boxes to join up both Lights cable and the cable from the house.

There are the small junction boxes I used.

Waterproof Junction Box Connector Electric Cable Inline Wire Slim Plug IP68 | eBay UK

As I felt not totally waterproof at each end I wrapped them around with duct tape, but have now read on google this is not a good idea as could give a fire risk, and to use other kinds of tape instead.

So if you believe that info is correct what kind of waterproof tape would you advice me to use.

I do have the old wide flashing tape about, but don't want to try even to use that as not sticky enough and too hard to get on.

Thanks for any advice.

Typhoon2000

Are these low voltage lighting. If so I do not think there is any fire risk of water does get into the box.
Magic gel or similar are the best thing for waterproofing outdoor junctions boxes.

anotherquestion

Maybe Lights are low voltage but the cables themselves are fairly heavy duty looking, I actually think when I got the cabling done many years ago (old red and Black colours wires inside and a bare copper earth) it was actually wired up to a back of a plug in loft.

WIAWSNB

These connectors work well, and can be very weatherproof, but they do rely on a good seal around the cable, and in turn relies on the cable being round and of the correct size.
So, is the cable suitable?
Are the cables carrying mains voltages? Are they exposed so will get wet?
Anyhoo, I can see no fire risk from using duct tape, although I'm not sure it'll provide the best sealing either. If you really wanted an extra sealing skin, then I think amalgamating tape would do the job better. 
This is rubbery and stretchy tape, and is wrapped around whilst pulling it with enough tension to slightly stretch it. It then amalgamated, and forms a sealed skin. 
Begin wrapping around the cable for at least an inch, and continue over the connector, giving a good half-lap or so. 

Eldi_Dos

Forget about tape, will not serve any useful purpose.

If the cables are clean and undamaged with the correct  pressure rings used they should be OK

If you are wanting to 'improve' the connector what you can do is use some cling film to create a bag around connectors, leaving gap at top.Fill this bag with silicone grease then seal bag and close up connection.

If you are only using connector in cold weather you could use Petroleum Jelly (Vaseline) but not if cable is going to be left out over the summer as during heatwave conditions the PJ can break down into its constituent parts.

WIAWSNB

I would usually smear some silicone grease on such items on assembly, as it helps make the rubber seals watertight, preserves them for longer, and also aids dismantling. But I'm not going to suggest that others do this.

AQ, can these connectors be fitted where the cable is out of direct rain - under the soffit, for example? And can they be mounted horizontally?

I'd suggest their weakest point will be at an end if it's upwards-facing, and rain trickles down the cable to it. Again, in such situations, I'd likely give that top end a good smudge of sg. 

Best they are kept out of the weather, tho'.

I used a similar connector a couple of years back when I ran over my lawnmower cable. With that one, since I considered it a 'permanent' fix, I coated every part and filled the inside with StixAll on assembly, and wiped it all down when done up. Messy, and not really recommending this either. 

I wouldn't recommend a Duct Tape wrap, as that sort of tape doesn't seal watertightly, so there is every chance that it will actually exacerbate the problem by trapping water under it, so the connector will be permanently soaked in water. 

Heedtheadvice

WIAWSNB said:

These connectors work well, and can be very weatherproof, but they do rely on a good seal around the cable, and in turn relies on the cable being round and of the correct size.
So, is the cable suitable?
Are the cables carrying mains voltages? Are they exposed so will get wet?
Anyhoo, I can see no fire risk from using duct tape, although I'm not sure it'll provide the best sealing either. If you really wanted an extra sealing skin, then I think amalgamating tape would do the job better. 
This is rubbery and stretchy tape, and is wrapped around whilst pulling it with enough tension to slightly stretch it. It then amalgamated, and forms a sealed skin. 
Begin wrapping around the cable for at least an inch, and continue over the connector, giving a good half-lap or so. 

This ^^.

Self amalgamating tape is the thing to use. it provides a long term watertight seal providing the parts are clean and dry to start with.

But, OP,  I am surprised that the question of voltage was not really answered. Are these mains powered lights  and you only think they might have power from  a socket somewhere yet you have gone ahead with connecting them up with maybe a risk of shock????

Surely not that daft....

WIAWSNB

I suspect that these LED security lights are, indeed, mains powered...

anotherquestion

Heedtheadvice said:

WIAWSNB said:

These connectors work well, and can be very weatherproof, but they do rely on a good seal around the cable, and in turn relies on the cable being round and of the correct size.
So, is the cable suitable?
Are the cables carrying mains voltages? Are they exposed so will get wet?
Anyhoo, I can see no fire risk from using duct tape, although I'm not sure it'll provide the best sealing either. If you really wanted an extra sealing skin, then I think amalgamating tape would do the job better. 
This is rubbery and stretchy tape, and is wrapped around whilst pulling it with enough tension to slightly stretch it. It then amalgamated, and forms a sealed skin. 
Begin wrapping around the cable for at least an inch, and continue over the connector, giving a good half-lap or so. 

This ^^.

Self amalgamating tape is the thing to use. it provides a long term watertight seal providing the parts are clean and dry to start with.

But, OP,  I am surprised that the question of voltage was not really answered. Are these mains powered lights  and you only think they might have power from  a socket somewhere yet you have gone ahead with connecting them up with maybe a risk of shock????

Surely not that daft....

Heedtheadvice said:

WIAWSNB said:

These connectors work well, and can be very weatherproof, but they do rely on a good seal around the cable, and in turn relies on the cable being round and of the correct size.
So, is the cable suitable?
Are the cables carrying mains voltages? Are they exposed so will get wet?
Anyhoo, I can see no fire risk from using duct tape, although I'm not sure it'll provide the best sealing either. If you really wanted an extra sealing skin, then I think amalgamating tape would do the job better. 
This is rubbery and stretchy tape, and is wrapped around whilst pulling it with enough tension to slightly stretch it. It then amalgamated, and forms a sealed skin. 
Begin wrapping around the cable for at least an inch, and continue over the connector, giving a good half-lap or so. 

This ^^.

Self amalgamating tape is the thing to use. it provides a long term watertight seal providing the parts are clean and dry to start with.

But, OP,  I am surprised that the question of voltage was not really answered. Are these mains powered lights  and you only think they might have power from  a socket somewhere yet you have gone ahead with connecting them up with maybe a risk of shock????

Surely not that daft....

No I was aware of that, switched off sockets upstairs and in main fuse box as well, the security lights only ever came on, if the socket upstairs in bedroom was switched on, as bedroom is partitioned off  in same level as loft, the cabling for security lights would have been wired into the back of that socket, probably over 25 years ago now, maybe not ideal, but probably only way it could have been done.

molerat

Wrapping the box in duct tape does not in itself pose a fire risk.  It is simply that duct tape is not fire retardant, the junction box material will be and will self extinguish if it overheats but any duct tape around it is likely to burn.  Those junction boxes are IP68 which means they are submersible so if not waterproof it means they are the wrong box for the particular cable or the cable is damaged.

Another vote for self amalgamating tape for waterproofing.  We used "green line tape" on aircraft where cable joints were in areas subject to fuel and oil contamination.

FFHillbilly

if the rubber seal from the compression gland contacts right around the cable, don't bother applying tape.
if it doesn't contact all the way round, applying tape can make it worse as it just gives the opportunity for water to be held near the joint and then wicked in. 
ultimately, just make sure the cable is the right size for the compression glands and they seal is tight, if not use a joint box like this https://www.superlecdirect.com/5780-wiska-combi-junction-box-85-x-85-x-51mm-black/?utm_term=&utm_campaign=&utm_source=adwords&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=5149061780&hsa_cam=19776144467&hsa_grp=&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=x&hsa_tgt=&hsa_kw=&hsa_mt=&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19776913342&gbraid=0AAAAACytE4CTMwG8FQWUSjkCHOY0NxvgH&gclid=CjwKCAiAl-_JBhBjEiwAn3rN7ewEBkPwodjby9JHgqLZiPETzkLqBSGqORIPbEHwsCif-DOMfPzQjhoCrFAQAvD_BwE
alternatives instead of tape would be sealing compound or silicone but both have points at which they will fail (temperature, humidity) and behave just like the tape and hold water near the seal of the compression gland which causes problems