DIY Wire Splicing

When remodeling it may be necessary to splice wires to relocate circuits. This page offers help with wire splicing. Always check the local building code for proper wiring procedures. Turn off electrical circuits before working on wiring.

A wire splice is the joining of two or more wires by twisting them together. A wire nut is used to insulate and secure the splice. Use wire nuts with metal rather than plastic threads and choose a size appropriate for the gage of wire to be sliced.

Splices are usually made inside a junction box. A junction box has several holes with removable plugs. Choose a hole conveniently located for the cable to be spliced and remove the plug. Thread a wire clamp into the hole and tighten the collar on the clamp. Open the clamp by loosening the screws and pull about 8 to ten inches of cable into the box. Tighten the clamp.

Split the plastic sheathing on the cable starting about 4 inches from the end. Separate the wires and remove the paper insulator. Strip off about 3/4 inch of the plastic insulation from the wires to be spliced.

The best way to remove the insulation without nicking the copper wire is to use a wire stripper. Most strippers have a set of cutters for the most common household wire gages. Twist the strippers back and forth a couple times and pull the insulation off the end of the wire.

Hold the wires together and twist in a clockwise direction. Use lineman pliers to twist one or two turns in the wire.

If the wire ends are spread too far apart to accept a wire nut, clip the end of one wire.

Thread a wire nut clockwise onto the twisted wires. Test the wire nut to be sure it is secure, fold the wires into the outlet box and attach the cover.