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» Residential Electrical Wiring: Guide to Home Wiring
» Need Electrical Help? Get a Quick Reply! Ask the Electrician
Splicing Wires in a Light Fixture Box
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Summary:
Splicing electrical wires can be done safely when you understand the method. This example shows you the step by step process of splicing wires in a light fixture box. |
How to Splice Wires in a Light Fixture Box
In this example two sets of wires are spliced inside a junction box where a light fixture will be installed.
Light Fixture Box Wire Splice |
Step 1: Always Identify The Electrical Circuit And Make Sure It Is Off |
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IMPORTANT: Always be sure the light circuit is off and test the wires before proceeding. The electrical cable should be installed so that 1 inch of sheathing is inside the electrical box and 6 inches of wire is showing outside of the electrical box. |
Step 2: Splice The Ground Wires Together |
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The ground wires must be spliced together in order to maintain the bond of the home electrical ground system. In this fixture box the ground wires are twisted together, then a crimp-sleeve is placed over the wires and crimped tight. The crimp sleeve is placed down over the wires past the half way area. |
Step 3: Bond One Ground Wire To The Junction Box |
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After bonding both ground wires together there will be two wires that can be used for the remainder of the ground process. This box has a ground screw and bracket built in so one ground wire is securely fastened under the ground screw.The other ground wire will be available to use once the fixture is ready to hang. |
Step 4: Fold The Ground Wires Carefully Back Into The Junction Box |
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Fold the ground wires and push them back into the box keeping the last one out. Straighten out the wires and trim them off evenly if needed, then strip back the insulation about 3/4 of of an inch removing the insulation to prepare the wires for the splice. |
Step 5: Remove The Insulation From The Remaining Wires |
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Use a pair of pliers to twist the bare wire in a clock-wise direction. In this example an additional wire has been added which will be used when installing the light fixture. After twisting the wires together trim the ends evenly to prepare them for the wire connectors. The total length of the bare copper wire area should still be about 3/4 inch. |
Step 6: Install the Wire Connectors Onto The Twisted Wire Sets |
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Select the right size wire connector, otherwise known as a "wire nut". Screw the splice connector onto the twisted set of wires in a clock-wise direction until each connector is good and snug. The bare wire should be all the way inside the wire connectors. Bare wire should not be seen. If bare wire is seen, back off the wire nut and trim more of the twisted wire sets and reinstall the connector. |
Step 7: Fold The Spliced Wires Back Into The Junction Box |
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Fold the spliced wires back into the junction box and pull the remaining lead wires and the ground wire out of the box and then trim off the ends to make them neat and even. |
Step 8: Fold The Remaining Wires Into The Junction Box |
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These wires are now ready for a light fixture to be installed. If a device will not be installed then wire connectors would be installed onto the wires that are not connected, and a blank cover would be placed on the junction box. In this project a wall fixture will be installed immediately so the junction box was left open and the wires are ready to attach to the light fixture. |
More about Splicing Electrical Wires
Learn more about splicing electrical wires |
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