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Splicing 220 Volt Wiring


How to Splice 220 Volt Electrical Wiring: Considerations when splicing 220 volt cable wiring in order to make the splice safe, accessible and makes sure the circuit maintains integrity.

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Guide to Splicing 220 Volt Wire
Electrical Question: I’m splicing a new 8/3 cable with ground  to an old 8/3  cable without a ground wire.

This electrical wiring question came from: Michael, a Electrician from Ooltewah, Tennessee.

Additional Comments: Love the website.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Michael.

Splicing Electric Wire and Cables

Application: Splicing Electrical Wiring.
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced. This electrical wiring project is best performed by a Licensed Electrical Contractor.
Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch Hand Tools and Voltage Tester.
Estimated Time: Depends on the personal level experience and ability to work with tools and access to the wiring.
Precaution: Identify the circuit, turn it OFF and then Tag it with a Note before performing any wiring.
Notice: Installing additional electrical wiring should be done with a permit and inspected.
Special Materials: Properly sized wire connectors, anti-corrosion ointment, electrical tape, junction box and blank cover.

How to Splice 220 Volt 3Wire and 4Wire Cables

There are a few considerations which need to be addressed when splicing 220 volt cable wiring in order to make the splice safe, accessible and makes sure the circuit maintains integrity.

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Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

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Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
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Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
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....and much more.


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Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


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FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

12 Responses to “Splicing 220 Volt Wiring”
  1. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Mike,
    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.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  2. mike says:

    Can I splice a 220 volt wire to extend the wire so my new baseboard heater will be center to the window. Thanks Mike.

  3. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Steve,
    A junction box is typically used to splice circuits that need to be extended or relocated. Please refer to the electrical junction box information that may assist you, as well as the electrical codes for junction boxes that may apply to the project.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  4. Steve Durkel says:

    I would like to move the 50 amp circuit that is in the top right of my panel to accommodate a generator lockout device. The problem is there is not enough wire to bring the breaker down to the bottom of the box where there is space. Can I use a junction box to extend the wire and extend the circuit.

    Thanks

  5. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Larry,
    Using a breaker box or panel as a junction box is possible as long as the enclosure is treated the same as any other junction box, which would include sealing any unused openings and providing a solid cover that is securely fastened in place and resistant to the environment. The original panel components should be removed however the enclosure should be grounded.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  6. Larry Noll says:

    I would like to relocate my circuit breaker box to a new location. My question is can I used the old circuit breaker box and convert that into a junction box to run my wires from there to the new circuit breaker box?

  7. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Mike,
    The fiberglass splice boxes are great for this, and then a good splice kit, such as the 3M or other epoxy splice works very well.
    Click the link below for more information:
    Underground Electrical Splice Box
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  8. mike ullman says:

    Hi Dave, I have a 6 gauge 50 amp 220 volt wire out to my hot tub. I have gotten rid of my hot tub and wish to extend that wire (underground) to get 220 volt to my garage. I need to spice about 25′ ft longer. What type of spice box can I use. I plan to put the the wire underground in PVC conduit.
    Thanks
    Mike

  9. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Alan,
    The way to approach this is to first look at what the circuit requirements are, and then look at what is available. You will need to know if a separate neutral wire is required for the required circuit power and if a neutral wire is available in the existing circuit wiring. Voltage and amperage ratings are essential to note. Keep in mind that if an existing circuit with a higher amperage rating will be used for a lower amperage purpose the circuit must be de-rated to provide the proper current protection. In other words you cannot safely provide 30 or 40 amps of power for a 20 amp device without adjusting the size of the circuit breaker to avoid overloading the circuit components.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  10. Alan Batts says:

    I am remodeling a house my wife and I bought. She wants to take out a built in electric oven on one side of the kitchen and a gas cooktop on the other side and replace the gas cooktop with an electric range. My plan is to splice the 220 wiring for the built in to extend the circuit to the other side of the kitchen for an electrical access for the range. I have not taken out the built in yet and do not know at this point if it is 8 or 10 gauge wire. It would probably be easiest to simply cut the cable in the attic above the kitchen, add a box for splicing, then extend the wiring to the other side. Is it safe to do all of this? If not I can pull the existing wiring from the breaker box and replace with cable long enough for the project.

    Thanks…Alan Batts

  11. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Orlena,
    When an electrical cable has been damaged, an accessible splice is made using a junction box, cable connectors, the appropriate wire connectors, and then a blank cover is installed. If the junction box is metal then the box is grounded with the spliced circuit ground wires.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave

  12. orlena stuart says:

    While installing siding on my home a nail went thru a 220 volt wire which tripped off the circuit breaker. I removed the nail. Can I install a junction box and cut the wires apart and then make a splice with wire nuts?