How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

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Electrical Wire Splice Basics for

Homeowners

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ELECTRICAL SPLICES, HOW TO MAKE - CONTENTS: How to splice electrical wires - Electrical Wire
Splicing Guide for Homeowners & DIY Repairs. How to make a Pigtail Splice in Electrical Wire. How
to Twist Electrical Wires Together When Making a Splice. Use an approved connector to secure your
electrical splice. Types of electrical wire splices, requirement for mechanical connectors such as twist
on connectors, wire nuts, or MARR connectors or Wago Wall Nuts, AMP COPALUM crimp
connectors, AlumiConn connectors. How to Make Tap Splices in Wires - Older Knob & Tube Wiring.
When can you just "tape" electrical wires that have been spliced? How to wrap the tape around an
electrical wire splice. Requirement for enclosure of electrical splices in junction boxes
POST a QUESTION or READ FAQs about electrical wiring splices, connections, connectors
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How to make proper & safe electrical wiring splices & connections:

DEFINITIONS of ELECTRICAL TERMS

DIRECTORY OF ELECTRICIANS

This article answers basic questions about how splices (connections between two or more electrical wires) are made to connect & secure
electrical wires together in residential or commercial building electrical wiring systems.

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http://inspectapedia.com/electric/Electrical_Wiring_Splices.php[9/4/2015 8:00:00 PM]

We describe different types of connectors used to join two or more electrical wires, and we include installation details inclucing use of
electrical tape. Sketch at page top courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Green links show where you are. Copyright 2015 InspectApedia.com, All Rights Reserved.

Electrical Wire Splicing Guide for Homeowners & DIY Repairs

How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

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More Information

Splicing electrical wires is a task that can be learned easily, but if the splice is not made correctly, the electrical system will be unreliable
and unsafe, risking fire or shock hazards.
Our photo at left shows some pigtail splices inside of a metal junction box - in this case, because the wires are aluminum, the connectors
shown are not the proper ones, and these splices are a fire hazard.
We introduce the proper connectors used for aluminum wire below. This photo shows how electrical connections can burn up if you use
the wrong device or do not make the connection properly.
The proper way of making safe, secure splices is to make a good mechanical and electrical joint-that is, strong enough not to pull apart
and tight enough so there is no loss of voltage. As this is tricky work, a continuous run of new wire is always better than any splice.

Safety Warning: Do not attempt to work on your electrical wiring, switches, or outlets unless you are properly trained and
equipped to do so. Electrical components in a building can easily cause an electrical shock, burn, or even death.
Even when a hot line switch is off, one terminal on the switch is still connected to the power source. Before doing any work on the switch,
the power source must be turned off by setting a circuit breaker to OFF or removing a fuse.
See SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS and ELECTRICAL WIRING BOOKS & GUIDES

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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

Splices in electrical wire that carries electrical current in a building (such as for lights or electrical outlets) must be completed using
an approved mechanical connector and must be enclosed in an approved junction box which itself is secured to the structure.
In addition, the NEC and other electrical codes specify lots of precise details describing the number of wires of various sizes that can be
enclosed in junction boxes of various sizes, where these boxes must be located, how they can be covered, etc.
Our photo at left shows an improper and certainly not code-compliant mess of pigtail splices in electrical wires. - Photo courtesy of Tim Hemm.

Electrical wires that connect appliances, lamps, stereo equipment, etc to wall outlets should never be spliced for permanent use,
but occasionally, it may be necessary to splice these wires when repairing or modifying appliances or for emergency repairs.
Our photo shows an improper, unsafe, and certainly not code-compliant splice in lamp cord used to wire a wall-mounted light fixture.
Exposed electrical connections like this are a fire and shock hazard.
Further, this is an un-approved use of lamp cord or "zip cord" to replace what should have been approved electrical wire, a junction box,
etc. When we see exposed electrical work like this we know that someone un-trained has been doing electrical work on the building and
we need to be alert for other faulty electrical wiring practices.

How to make a Pigtail Splice in Electrical Wire

Our our enlargement at left and our page top photo shows a pigtail splice at the lower
left of the drawing.
Strip off at about 1 an inch of insulation from the end of each wire.
When you are joining electrical wires used to carry current in a home you'll be using a
solderless twist-on connector such as we show at left. In this case the length of wire
from which you need to strip insulation depends on the number of wires being joined
together and the size of the twist-on connector you're going to use.
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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

In good practice you don't want to strip off too much insulation - when the splice has
been completed and the twist-on connector has been installed, you should not see any
bare wire exposed extending beneath the bottom edge of the mechanical connector.
If you are stripping wires that are not part of the building's electrical system, such as speaker wires, you may not be using a mechanical
connector, just tape, and the length of wire that you need to strip depends on the number of wires being joined and your ability to twist
them securely together.
Don't damage the wire during stripping of insulation: Be careful that you don't nick the
metal wire when cutting the insulation in preparation to strip it off.
If you do nick the wire, as shown in Carson Dunlop's sketch at left, the risk is that the
nicked end will later break off, destroying your connection, and perhaps also becoming
unsafe.
Twist the electrical wires together tightly starting at or near the first bit of exposed
wire. Always twist the wires in a clockwise direction. That way when you screw on a
twist-on connector (which also is tightened by turning it clockwise) you won't be untwisting your wires. We describe just how we twist wires together for a twisted splice just
below in this article.
Trim off sharp points protruding from the end of the twist. Solder the twisted wires at the point where the twist began.
Secure the completed electrical wire splice with an approved twist-on connector as we discuss below.

Splicing three or more wires

The pigtail type of splice is best when joining three or more wires. The thing to guard against when more than two wires are involved in
the twist is the tendency for one or more of the wires to remain fairly straight while the others are wrapped around it. When this happens
the straight conductors can be pulled free of the splice fairly readily.
The way to prevent this is to make certain the twist is started with all the wires bent at approximately a right angle. (Don't bend currentconducting electrical wires at a sharp angle however.) Then if the bent wires are interlocked and held with pliers, the twist will continue as
started.
1. Starting a three-wire pigtail splice. To interlock all three wires bend each one at a right angle when you make the first twist. A
straight wire will pull out under relatively little stress.
2. Testing a three-wire pigtail splice. Check that all of your wires participated in the twist by pulling each individually. Make this check
before applying your mechanical connector such as a twist-on or MAAR.
3. Finish the three-wire pigtail splice by securing it with a mechanical connector as we discuss below.

How to Twist Electrical Wires Together When Making a Splice

For light wire, such as stereo speaker wires, when two wires are joined, cross about two inches of each end of prepared wire. Bend the
ends of the wires over each other at right angles and twist them around each other.

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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

For intermediate-sized electrical wires such as #14 copper wire (a 15-Amp electrical circuit) or #12 copper wire (a 20-Amp electrical
circuit), you can usually strip about 3/4" of bare wire (special stripping tools are available that won't damage the wire or you can work
carefully with wire cutters or a knife), and you can twist your wires together (clockwise) by holding the wires in one hand and twisting the
bare ends using a single pair of pliers.
For heavy-gauge wire, two pairs of pliers are needed to make sure the connection is tight. Use one pair of pliers to hold the wires at the
beginning of the twist.
Use the other pliers to twist the wires. Use wire cutters to trim off the excess wire so that no sharp ends can penetrate the tape. Solder
the wires
The twist-splice in electrical circuit wires in a building must be capped or mechanically secured using an approved wiring connector.
Also see SPLICING WIRES When Adding a Receptacle.

Use an approved connector to secure your electrical splice

Twist-on Electrical Connectors - "wire nuts" & MAAR Connectors
Splices in an building's electrical circuit must be connected using an approved wiring
connector, such as a twist-on connector ("Wire Nut" is a trademarked name for a brand
of twist-on connectors.)
Twist-on connectors come in different color-coded sizes, and you must choose the
proper twist-on connector, depending on the thickness (gauge) of the wire and the
number of wires you're combining in your splice.
The connector is placed over the end of your twisted splice, pressed onto the wires, and
turned clockwise until it is tight.
Be careful when pushing an electrical splice back into the junction box - don't loosen the
connector you've installed or your connection will be poor and possibly unsafe.
Using the wrong type of electrical splice connector, or one for which studies have shown poor performance, can lead to a melted or failed
electrical connection, possibly risking shock or fire.

Our photo at above left shows an expert using a Scotchlok 3M electrical connector to cap a splice which was also coated with an
antioxidant. We discuss this connector (now obsolete for aluminum wire repair) in more detail at How to Reduce the Risk of Aluminum
Wiring.

Other Types of Electrical Wire Splices & Wire Connectors: AlumiConn, AMP
COPLAUM and other crimp connectors, Wago Wall Nuts,
Electrical wires in a building are sometimes joined without twisting wires together. Instead we use special approved
connectors.
The AlumiConn TM connector shown here is used to splice a copper "pigtail" wire together with one or two aluminum
wires as a step in reducing the fire hazard associated with aluminum electrical wiring.

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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

This connector performs well provided that the wires are properly secured in the connector. We discuss this
connector in more detail at How to Reduce the Risk of Aluminum Wiring.

The AMP COPALUM connector (now sold by TYCO) is also used to connect copper to aluminum wiring, and is
also discussed at How to Reduce the Risk of Aluminum Wiring.
This connector must be installed by a an expert trained in aluminum wire repair and using a special crimping
tool which forms a cold weld between the metals.

The Wago Wall Nut is a device which connects several wires of different gauges and types, as you can see in
this photo.
Lugs which use a screw to bind wire into a holding device, and bus-bars which use a similar approach are
used inside of electrical panels to join multiple neutral or ground wires together or to secure large-diameter
wires.
Screw terminals are used on circuit breakers to secure electrical wires to these overcurrent protection devices.

How to Make Tap Splices in Wires - Older Knob & Tube Wiring

Sometimes it is desirable to join one wire to another at some midpoint without cutting the second conductor. The tap splice can be used
in this case. What characterizes a tap splice is that one wires to be joined is not cut, but rather is kept continuous.
Remove insulation from about two inches of the continuous run wire.
Wrap the joining wire tightly around the continuous wire. Solder and tape the spliced wires.
A tap splice is shown in our page top sketch at lower right and again here. If the joining wire is stranded, such as speaker wire, the
strands may be separated into two bunches and then wrapped in opposite directions along the continuous wire to form a more secure
connection.
Tap splices are not used in home electrical circuit wiring except for older knob-and-tube electrical wiring.

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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

Our sketch at left, courtesy of Carson Dunlop, shows the usual ways that knob and tube electrical wiring is connected in homes.
Knob and tube wiring connections were made outside of electrical junction boxes. In normal practice knob and tube wiring splices are
soldered and also taped.
We do not use plastic electrical tape on these installations, but rather the heavier cloth-based black electrical tape.
Review our discussion below to see when you can just tape electrical wire splices.

Splices to Use When Extending Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring

In some jurisdictions (especially in the U.S.) knob and tube electrical wiring was code-approved and used into the 1970's or later.
In most jurisdictions there is no requirement that knob and tube wiring be removed or replaced, but it is not permitted to extend a knob
and tube electrical circuit - say by adding wires to connect additional devices like receptacles.
If the knob and tube wiring system is not in good repair it may need to be replaced for fire safety.
In a jurisdiction where it is permitted to extend a knob and tube electrical circuit, it's necessary to change from open soldered and tapewrapped electrical wire splices to splices contained in electrical junction boxes, as we show in Carson Dunlop's sketch.
Watch out: in most jurisdictions it is not permitted to extend or add-on to existing knob and tube electrical wiring.

See KNOB & TUBE WIRING

And OLD HOUSE ELECTRICAL WIRING

When can you just "tape" electrical wires that have been spliced?
Wires used in the electrical circuit of a home are not normally joined using soldering except where knob and tube wiring has been
installed. These joints are taped as described above.
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How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

If your wires are not carrying any meaningful electrical current, such as stereo speaker wires, you can simply bend the wires parallel to
one of the conductors and tape the bare splice from the end of the insulation on one side to the beginning of the insulation on the other
side.
Spliced and soldered wire splices such as in stereo wires should always be taped. The right amount of tape to use on a joint is the
amount that will provide insulation about as thick as the original insulation on the wire. A good brand of plastic electrical tape is best for
wire joints.

How do we apply tape to a wire splice?

Apply the tape by wrapping it diagonally along the joint starting on the insulation at one end
Plastic tape sticks best if it is kept taut while wrapping. Continue the tape for an inch or so on the insulation at the other end.
Make as many wraps as necessary to build the tape to the proper thickness. Cut or tear the tape at the end of the last wrap and press it
smooth around itself.

U.S. Building Electrical Wiring Color Codes & Conventions for 120V or 240V A/C Circuits
For our complete electrical wiring color code guides see ELECTRICAL WIRING COLOR CODES. Excerpts for the U.S. only are given
just below.

120V / 240V A/C Electrical Wiring Color Codes & Conventions: U.S.

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Wire Insulation
Color

Alternative Wire
Colors

Black

Line voltage, single phase

Black

Brown

L1

Line voltage, 3-phase

Red

Line voltage, single phase, second

"hot" wire

Red

Orange

L2

Line voltage, 3-phase

Label

Function

White

Gray

Neutral

Blue

Yellow

L3

Line voltage, 3-phase

Green

PG

Green + Yellow

PG

Bare

PG

Orange

Yellow

Comments

Often used to indicate

switched power

In wiring a switch the

electrican may use the white
wire as a second hot
conductor and will mark each
end of the wire with black
electrical tape.

Protective ground wire

Protective
ground wire

Protective ground wire

"Excepted voltage", these
wires may be hot when main

How to connect electrical wires: electrical splices guide for residential electrical wiring and circuits

disconnect is switched off"

Notes & wiring color code standard sources:
1. National Electrical Code 2011 (NEC) - see http://www.nfpa.org/ (adopted in all 50 U.S. states)

2. UL508A, Section 66.5.3 & 66.9

3. NFPA 79, Chapter 13 - see http://www.nfpa.org/

Some sources include red with white tracer line = switched neutral

Readers of this article should also see ELECTRICAL DEFINITIONS, ELECTRICAL CODE BASICS, and also SAFETY for ELECTRICAL
INSPECTORS.
This website provides information about a variety of electrical hazards in buildings, with articles focused on the inspection, detection, and
reporting of electrical hazards and on proper electrical repair methods for unsafe
electrical conditions. Critique and content suggestions
are invited. Credit is given to content editors and contributors.

Continue reading at ELECTRICAL WIRE STRIPPING TIPS or select a topic from the More Reading links shown below.
Or see ELECTRICAL WIRING COLOR CODES
Or see ELECTRICAL OUTLET, HOW TO ADD & WIRE
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ELECTRICAL SPLICES, HOW TO MAKE at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing,
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