Splicing Electrical Wires Safely

How to Splice Electrical Wires: Electrical Wire Types and Approved Splicing Practices, Electrical Wire Size, Solid and Stranded Wire, Tin Coated Copper Wire

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Guide to Residential Electrical Wiring

Electrical Wire Types and Approved Splicing Methods

Electrical Question: I have a 100 amp electrical service box. In it there are stranded wires in the circuit breakers that run to a old gutted fuse box that is used as a large junction box.

• The wiring is spliced into old aluminum coated copper wires that service the switches, receptacles, and lighting of the house.
• Is this stranded wire legal code and proper wiring, or should I disconnect the stranded wire and connect solid #14 wire from the 15 amp circuit breakers to the old aluminum coated copper wire in the old gutted fuse box.

Thank You,
Marvin

This electrical wiring question came from: Marvin, from Kenosha, Wisconsin.

See more about Home Wiring for Wisconsin

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

How to Splice Electrical Wires

Preparation

• Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced.
• 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.

Electrical Wire Types and Approved Splicing Practices

• Electrical Wire Size
  • Splicing electrical wires is permitted when the wire gauges and the type of wire insulation are the same or of the same permitted rating according to the electrical codes.
• Solid and Stranded Wire
  • Once these other stipulations have been met there is not problem splicing smaller gauges of electrical wire that are solid and stranded wire types as long as the method of splicing is done correctly.
• Tin Coated Copper Wire
  • Some older homes have tin coated copper wire which may still be used as long as the installation methods are up to code and the cable and insulation is OK, however it is always best to upgrade older home electrical wiring whenever possible.

More about Splicing Electrical Wires

Splicing Electrical Wires

• Electrical Junction Box Splice

• Electrical junction box splices can be made safely when you understand the method.
• This example will show you how its done step by step and shows how to make a junction box splice and the related electrical codes.
• A guide to home electrical circuit breakers and how they work to protect your electrical wiring. When properly installed, your home electrical wiring is protected by a circuit protection device.

Guide to Home Electrical Wire

• Electrical Wire for the Home

• Complete listing of electrical wire types and parts used for home projects with electrical code information serves as selection guidelines.

Home Electrical Junction Boxes

• Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring

• Selecting and installing junction boxes for electrical wiring for locations that will serve electrical devices or an appliance.
• One very important component is the box where the wire will be installed.
• The type and size of the home wiring electrical boxes will depend upon the circuit size, application and its location.

Home Electrical Wiring Codes

• Electrical Code Articles for Home Wiring

• Electrical Code Directory covering AFCI circuit, electrical-boxes, electrical-circuit, electrical-code-outlets, electrical GFCI, electrical-grounding, electrical-project, electrical-services, electrical-underground, electrical-wiring, electrical-wiring-code, lighting-code, and smoke-detectors.

Emergency Electrical Splices

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handywomen, 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 How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more.

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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Home Electrical Wiring and Electrical Repairs Please Note: Unless otherwise posted, please refer to the following Guidelines when working on Electrical Projects: Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced - Electrical Repairs and Circuit Wiring is Best Performed by a Certified Electrician or Licensed Electrical Contractor. Electrical Tools Required: Basic Electricians Pouch of Hand Tools, a Voltage Tester and a Multi Meter. Estimated Time: Depends on personal level experience, ability to work with tools, work with electrical wiring, and the available access to the project area. Precaution: Identify the project circuit, turn it OFF and Tag it with a Note before working with the wiring. Important: Modifying existing electrical circuits or installing additional electrical wiring should be done according to local and National Electrical Codes, with a permit and be inspected.

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