how to splice electrical wires together

Electrical wires are never left on their own in the wall cavity or ceiling. Insert a Romex connector (view example on Amazon) in each knockout hole in the junction box. If you forgot to use shrink tube before you spliced your wires, you can wrap the entire splice and any exposed wires with electrical tape. Instead, all splices must be contained within a junction box and the individual wires attached with wire nuts. Find a color that matches the current insulation on your wire if you want them to look nice when you’re finished. crimp on each side of the butt connector. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Materials/tools required: Two wires that you need to connect, a tool that can strip wire… Align the protective cover with the mounting screws on the junction box, and tighten firmly using a screwdriver. may incur a small fee; the best practice is to call and ask. Step 3 - Dig up the Affected Wire. Electrical Code for How Many Wires in Junction Boxes; Electrical Wiring; Electrical Panel Circuit Listing; Electrical Junction Box Splice Splicing electrical wiring is permitted when it is done according to NEC codes, which include making the splice in an accessible junction box, using approved wiring connectors, and extending the circuit with the same type and size of electrical cable that is properly installed and protected. It won’t work. Squeeze the handles together firmly together and pull the jaws toward the end of the wire to remove the insulation. Find the answer to this and other Electrical questions on JustAnswer. X (In this example, we’re connecting a 12/2 NMC with ground to the same type and size of wire.) The connectors act as protective guides that also secure the wires to the junction box. Master Electrician. Use a lighter or torch to heat the tube if you don’t have a heat gun. Additional precautions you should take before beginning your project: Use the electrician’s or linesman’s pliers to remove two of the knockouts on the new junction box, which will house and protect the spliced wires and contain any sparks that could cause a fire if something should go wrong. Some butt splices are see-through in the center so you can tell when the wires are touching one another. The markings stamped on the outer insulation, “12/2 NMC with ground,” indicate the size and type of wire—in other words, a 12-gauge wire with two inner insulated conductors (a black “common” and white “neutral”) as well as a non-insulated grounding wire. Additional Comments: Great site! Repeat the process on the end of the other wire you’re splicing as well. First and most importantly, make sure you turn main electrical supply off before digging or attempting any repair to, or addition to, the electrical wire underground. Thanks! The solder will 'wick' into the strands and provide a much better electrical connection. Safety Considerations Spliced wires are not to be held together with electrician's tape. Jesse is also the author of four eBooks on home wiring including "Residential Electrical Troubleshooting" which covers basic electrical troubleshooting in residential homes. - I ran 3, 4 gauge wires from my house to the barn. You can get a wire cap at your local home improvement center. As far as I know, the exceptions mentioned in kkeilman's answer are not allowed in my jurisdiction. Take the wire caps off if you need to change the wires or how they’re connected. This electrical wire splice question came from: George, a Homeowner from Forked River, New Jersey. Toggle navigation. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 379,492 times. Share this conversation. Electrical wires are never left on their own in the wall cavity or ceiling. Use a wire nut size appropriate for the number and gauge of the wires you're using. Thanks to wikiHow for creating this page. Splices are usually needed as you come to the end of one spool of electric poly wire, but you still need to extend the fence. Electrical wires are never left on their own in the wall cavity or ceiling. Cover all connections individually with black electrical tape. you will need a split bolt (copper) and mastic pads. Twist them until they are tightly joined, and secure each joint with a threaded wire cap/nut. Did you know you can read expert answers for this article? Safety First is the Electrician's Code . Electrical wiring splices must be made with approved electrical connectors, for the type of wire, the wire gauges and number of wires being spliced together. Can a copper and silver cord be spliced together? This post explains how to fix a broken wire that needs to be cut and replaced in a car by using a wire stripper and crimper tool, new wire, butt splices, heat shrinks, a lighter, electrical tape, and a wire loom. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. A plastic connector, called a wire nut, is used to insulate and secure the splice. Next, hold the wires side by side and twist them together with your thumb and forefinger. You just need enough to see what you're doing and to splice the wires effectively. Soldering involves melting a low-temperature metal alloy over a joint or wire splice to secure 2 pieces together without the risk of them coming undone. If you don’t have access to a heat gun, you can use a small torch or a lighter to heat the tubing. Strip the wires to be spliced with a butt connector. To twist two wires together, you first need to strip the insulation off the wires. Wire splice connections must be housed inside a covered electrical box, known as a … Electric Fencing: How to Splice Wires Together Ralph Harris of Arkansas NRCS demonstrates how to splice two electric fence wires together with a knot that is smooth and conducts electricity well at a workshop sponsored by the Oklahoma Farmers and Ranchers Association in … Electrical junction box splices can be made safely when you understand the method. The main reason you need to make polywire splices is to extend a fence’s length. Tip: Shrink tube comes in multiple different colors. Start by stripping the wires and wrapping them around one another to start the connection. It works, to an extent, but it's not an ideal splice for a number of reasons. Use extreme caution when working with electricity, as it can cause serious injury or even death when not handled properly. Pro tip: Check the … Learning how to splice wires correctly will not only ensure that your electrical repairs and upgrades function properly, but, equally important, keep you and your property safe. Wire splicing is not like rope splicing in days of old, where two ropes were actually braided together into one. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. If you still aren’t certain that the power is off, turn off the main circuit breaker for the entire house. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Splicing different metals should be avoided. Furthermore, can you splice wires without a junction box? There are many ways to splice wires together, from simply using wire caps to soldering them together. Wrap the tape around the wires tightly 5-6 times, making sure to cover up all the wire. To learn how to splice wires using a butt splice or lineman's splice, scroll down! Skills required: Previous knowledge of stripping wire is very useful. Read on for some tips on getting started. then wrap electrical tape around the mastic area. SPLICES AND JOINTS. Add a section of shrink tubing onto the wire. Splicing wires using various tools and methods, discussing pros and cons. Strip off at about 1 an inch of insulation . How to Splice Electrical Wires: Electrical Wire Types and Approved Splicing Practices, Electrical Wire Size, Solid and Stranded Wire, Tin Coated Copper Wire. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Wire gauge is determined by the amount of amperage it’s expected to carry. Mechanical connectors which physically clamp the wires together or to a common conductor are the easiest, but they take up more room and particular kinds are prone to failure. Short answer: NO. Expert Source "The article helps me a lot when I study electricity since am in electrical engineering. KLboxeR, Oct 14, 2007 #2. When working with electronic equipment or with electrical wiring, it may from time to time become necessary to splice or join wires together. Before you splice your wires together, you need to prepare the wires by stripping them and turning off the power. References. I just went to wire a hot tub and need to splice… Question – I just went to wire a hot tub and need to splice the 220 line – CY. Can you use a breaker panel as a junction box? You don’t need to use shrink tube if you’re splicing with a wire cap. Jesse Kuhlman is a Master Electrician and the Owner of Kuhlman Electrician Services based in Massachusetts. #1. Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. There's a spring inside a wire cap, so as you spin it, it will get tighter and tighter around the wire. Wrap the tape in a spiral pattern, overlapping the previous layer by about one half the tape width. In most cases get a UL rated connector and make the connection inside a UL / NEMA rated rated box or assembly. Robert Ferguson, Bob Vila. Whats the best way to splice small electric wires? Instead, all splices must be contained within a junction box and the individual wires attached with wire nuts. Get free, no-commitment estimates from licensed electricians near you. Show Less . In this manner, is it OK to splice electrical wire? A splice is the joining of two or more wires by twisting them together. [1] Safety Considerations Spliced wires are not to be held together with electrician's tape. Wire splicing is the process of physically connecting two or more wires to make a mechanically strong, electrically sound path. 29 April 2020. If you need … Before beginning any work, turn off the circuit breaker supplying electricity to the wire that you want to splice. Keeping this in view, is it OK to splice electrical wire? Hello all, What would be the proper way to splice 6 gauge to 6 gauge or 4 gauge to 4 gauge wires? Splicing is the process of combining 2 lengths of wires so they can carry a current. Wire strippers are a convenient tool for this task, as they’re designed to strip a wide range of wire sizes and they’re available at most home improvement centers. Dave’s Reply: Thanks for your electrical wire splice question George. The knockouts are pressed into the box in predetermined locations during manufacture for easy removal. Thus it's a "Super Alumiconn" that can splice up to 4 aluminum wires to up to 4 copper wires. There are 20 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. Do I do one first and then the other? If you are using uninsulated wire, you can skip this step. A splice can be made between copper and aluminum wire using a wire connector that is approved for joining AL/CU wires together and following the approved methods: Only use wire connectors that are the correct size for the wires to be spliced. Electrical Wire Splice FAQs - Q&A on how to join electrical wires or make splices, How to splice electrical wires - Electrical Wire Splicing Guide for Homeowners & DIY Repairs Questions & answers about electrical wiring splices, connections, connectors Went to the electric This setup lets you choose the locations on the box where you want to install the wire connectors and wire during installation. Over lap while wrapping the tape, and continue taping up the wire 3 inches in either direction. I'm ok to solder, but do I need connectors of some time or is it better just to twist, solder & shrink tube a splice? This splice will be safe for use in dry conditions. Now, twist the second ground wire tightly together with the attached ground wire using the electrician’s pliers, and secure the joint with a twist-on wire cap/nut. Use needle-nose pliers if you have trouble coiling the wire with your fingers. Strip the Ends of the Wires. Remove the protective paper wrapping surrounding the insulated wires and ground wire. Splicing wires together and hiding that splice inside a wall is not safe practice and is generally prohibited. Pretty much the same way as above. If you’re working on multiple wiring projects, use different colors of electric tape to mark which wires are connected. What you need: a roll of electrical tape and two wires whose ends have been twisted together. The resulting connection should be fairly strong and hold together when a small tug is applied. How can I connect electronic wires without using solder? Slide the tubing over the cable before you connect the wires to the splice block. Local code always override national codes, and you should check yours. The process of splicing electrical wires is to safely join the wires in a junction box using approved methods. Without splicing, you won’t be able to entirely protect and seal off a paddock. Splices are required on electric fencing for two reasons. Step 3 - Dig up the Affected Wire. Don’t use a hole that’s too small or else you may cut through your wire. Shrink tube can be purchased in the electrical department of your local hardware store. It just so happens I was about 5 feet too short. Locating other underground wires for light poles, barns, pools, garage, etc. What method would an electrician use when splicing wires? I am confused. We also discuss the use of electrical splices or wiring connectors outside of electrical boxes. Butt splices can be bought at your local hardware store in the electrical department. More about Splicing Electrical Wires. Wire splicing is the process of physically connecting two or more wires to make a mechanically strong, electrically sound path. Electrical Wire for the Home. How do I use the rubber splicing tape along with the vinyl tape? Jesse Kuhlman. Once your wires are connected to one another, cover the exposed ends with electrical tape or shrink tubes and they’re ready to use! Tighten the ground screw using the screwdriver to secure the ground wire to the box. After the bared wires have been scraped clean, the appropriate splice is completed by wrapping the wires together as indicated in the drawings … The junction boxes must be large enough … If you want to combine 2 wires, you can easily use solder to make a connection that will last for a long time. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Splice-Wire-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Splice-Wire-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/5e\/Splice-Wire-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1360607-v4-728px-Splice-Wire-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"