#Underground wire splice how to#
#Underground wire splice code#

Most important: if you’re ever in doubt, call a professional. Read through these directions carefully, and assemble all the necessary equipment before you get started. A single misstep, however, can result in, at best, a mess that must be corrected, or at worst, a disaster. A solid electric wire connection will bring the desired result-a new light fixture or fan, for example. When a home project requires splicing wires, be sure to follow these steps carefully and exactly. Never work on electrical wiring in wet or damp conditions. Wear rubber-soled shoes to insulate your body. You want someone around in the event that an unfortunate circumstance occurs.

If you still aren’t certain that the power is off, turn off the main circuit breaker for the entire house.Īdditional precautions you should take before beginning your project: Verify that the power is indeed off using a voltmeter, a device that measures the electrical current in wires. Use extreme caution when working with electricity, as it can cause serious injury or even death when not handled properly. Photo: Safety Precautions for Splicing Electrical Wiresīefore beginning any work to connect electrical wires, turn off the circuit breaker supplying electricity to the wire that you want to splice. For example, a 12-gauge wire is capable of handling approximately 20 amperes, while a 10-gauge wire is capable of handling 30 amperes. Wire gauge is determined by the amount of amperage the wire is expected to carry. It must be noted that while it is possible to splice different types of Romex wire-12/2 to 12/3, for instance-you should never splice together wires of a different gauge. 6/3-6-gauge wire with three inner insulated conductors and ground, commonly used for electric ranges and ovens.10/3-10-gauge wire with three inner insulated conductors and ground, commonly used for electric clothes dryers.10/2-10-gauge wire with two inner insulated conductors and ground, commonly used for water heaters.

12/3-12-gauge wire with three inner insulated conductors and ground, commonly used for switches and light fixtures.Other types of Romex wire used in residential construction are: Note: “NMC” is an acronym for nonmetallic cable, the type of wire that is most common in residential applications. 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. (In this example, we’re connecting a 12/2 NMC with ground to the same type and size of wire.) Romex is a brand name of wire preferred by many electricians that is commonly used in residential applications. The following instructions assume that you’re splicing together two Romex wires of the same type.

#Underground wire splice how to#

If you’re not sure you know exactly how to splice wires, read on for more info. Learning how to splice wires correctly will not only ensure that your electrical repairs and upgrades function properly, but equally importantly, will also keep you and your property safe. Connect the wires, slide the sleeve over the connector, and heat the sleeve to shrink it to a weatherproof and code-compliant seal.If your around-the-house to-do list includes an ambitious DIY electrical project, be it installing a light fixture, replacing a switch, or extending electrical wires to add another outlet in the garage, you’ll need to know the fundamental skill of splicing wires. Rather than dig up and replace the cable, I often use an underground cable splice kit-a four-position barrel connector and a sleeve of thick heat-shrink wrap. They cost more than regular twist connectors, but they’re almost foolproof to use: just strip the end of the wire and push it into the connector.Ī cable that’s been buried by a shovel gets me called out to many cottages. A pack of 10 at any hardware store should run less than $5. They’re sized to fit various wire gauges, and some have multiple ports (you can splice three or more wires together). Push-on connectors are a newer, simpler splicing solution.

Marr connectors, after a common brand), but they can occupy so much space in the box that the receptacle or switch won’t fit. Many people use twist-on connectors (a.k.a. It’s usually fixed with a pigtail splice-a longer wire joined to the shorter.

#Underground wire splice code#

Instead, we splice it.Ī wire that’s cut too short in a box is an Electrical Code violation if it’s connected as is to a receptacle or switch. We electricians have many tricks, but there’s one thing we can’t do: stretch a wire that’s been cut in the wrong place.