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Electrical Wire Splice Basics for Homeowners
- 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
- ELECTRICAL BASICS - separate article
- Questions & Answers about electrical wiring splices, connections, connectors
- References
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
How to make proper & safe electrical wiring splices & connections: 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. 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 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Electrical Wire Splicing Guide for Homeowners & DIY Repairs
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.
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.
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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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 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. Courtesy of Tim Hemm.
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 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
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 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.
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.
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 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.
If you have nicked the wire by accident, cut the nicked portion of the wire end off and start over again.
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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 un-twisting 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 current-conducting electrical wires at a sharp angle however.) Then if the bent wires are interlocked and held with pliers, the twist will continue as started.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.
Use an approved connector to secure your electrical splice
Twist-on Electrical Connectors - "wire nuts" & MAAR Connectors
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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. |
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Our photo at 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.
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Other Types of Electrical Wire Splices & Wire Connectors: AlumiConn, AMP COPLAUM and other crimp connectors, Wago Wall Nuts,
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 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.
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.
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 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.
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The Wago Wall Nut is a device which connects several wires of different gauges and types, as you can see in this photo.
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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
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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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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.
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Splices to Use When Extending Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring
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 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 tape-wrapped electrical wire splices to splices contained in electrical junction boxes, as we show in Carson Dunlop's sketch.
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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.
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.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about 120V and 240V electrical wiring splices & connections
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- Elizabeth Sluder, Montross, VA, the original author of this article, is a public school teacher who writes basic educational articles about a variety of building, construction, and other topics. Her husband, a licensed electrician, consults for her writing on electrical topics. Her articles appearing at the InspectAPedia TM Website have been edited, illustrated, and on occasion content has been added by the website author. These articles are © 2010 InspectAPedia copyright-protected, all rights reserved.
- Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
- John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- Timothy Hemm, Yucala, CA, contributed various photographs of electrical equipment installed in California buildings. Mr. Hemm can be contacted at TimHemm@yahoo.com
- NFPA - the National Fire Protection Association can be found online at www.nfpa.org
- The 2008 NEC National Electrical Code (ISBN 978-0877657903) Online Access LINK (you'll need to sign in as a professional or as a visitor)
- The 2008 Residential Wiring Code, a subset of the 2008 NEC, can be understood through Mastering the NEC at http://www.2008nec.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=18
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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- Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
- Rust and Corrosion in Electrical Panels, A Study and Report on Frequency and Cause for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
- "Electrical System Inspection Basics," Richard C. Wolcott, ASHI 8th Annual Education Conference, Boston 1985.
- "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
- "How to plan and install electric wiring for homes, farms, garages, shops," Montgomery Ward Co., 83-850.
- "Simplified Electrical Wiring," Sears, Roebuck and Co., 15705 (F5428) Rev. 4-77 1977 [Lots of sketches of older-type service panels.]
- "Home Wiring Inspection," Roswell W. Ard, Rodale's New Shelter, July/August, 1985 p. 35-40.
- "Evaluating Wiring in Older Minnesota Homes," Agricultural Extension Service, University of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minnesota 55108.
- "Electrical Systems," A Training Manual for Home Inspectors, Alfred L. Alk, American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI), 1987, available from ASHI. [DF NOTE: I do NOT recommend this obsolete publication, though it was cited in the original Journal article as it contains unsafe inaccuracies]
- "Basic Housing Inspection," US DHEW, S352.75 U48, p.144, out of print, but is available in most state libraries.
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Protective ground wire 
