How To Splice Electrical Wires
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Common Methods for Splicing Electrical Wiring: Electrical Junction Box or Splice Box, Location of the Splice Box, Wire Connectors for the Spliced Wires, Grounding the Splice Box.
© By: Dave Rongey
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Guidelines for Splicing Electrical Wiring
Electrical Question: I am installing wiring for a hot tub and I did not buy enough length of 8/3 AWG with ground copper wires.
- From the GFCI box to the hot tub connection is about 20 feet.
- I did not allow enough length for the connections in this box.
- I need a few more feet of wire and would like to add a junction box about a foot below the GFCI box.
- Is it possible to splice 8/3 cable with a ground wire.
- This wire is larger than 12/2 wire which I have spliced.
- The only other option is to buy a new length of wire from the GFCI box to the hot tub connection.
Any advice will be appreciated.
This electrical wiring question came from: Larry, a Handyman from Gadsden, AL.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Larry.
Application: Splicing Electrical Wiring
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 hot tub 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.
Common Methods for Splicing Electrical Wiring
Electrical splices are permitted as long as the materials and the method is done according to code as used in the example below.
- Electrical Junction Box or Splice Box
The wire splice must be made made in and approved electrical enclosure that is large enough for the total number and size of electrical wires.
- The Cover for the Splice Box
The enclosure must have a cover installed.The electrical splice box or enclosure must be NEMA 3R or rated for outdoor.
- Location of the Splice Box
The splice box must be located in an area that will be accessible. Splice boxes and junction boxes are not allowed to be installed in areas where they will not be accessible.
- Wire Connectors for the Spliced Wires
The wire connectors will need to be rated as water resistant and sized for two #8 AWG wires.
- Grounding the Splice Box
If the splice or junction box is metallic then it will need to be bonded to the ground wires using an approved ground lug or terminal which is fastened to the enclosure.
More about Electrical Wiring
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.
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.
Junction boxes
- Electrical Junction Boxes for Home Wiring
- Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for.
- Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location 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.
More information about Electrical Wiring
Electrical Wiring
- Electrical Wiring
- Home electrical wiring projects with pictures and wiring diagrams.
The following may also be helpful for you:
A Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring
Be sure to get your copy of my BIG Book:
Perfect for Homeowners, Students and Electricians
Includes:
Home Electrical Wiring - Room by Room
120 Volt Circuits
240 Volt Circuits
Multi-Wired Circuits
Wiring Methods for Installing Home Electrical Circuit Wiring
Electrical Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....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
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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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Electrical Parts to Help You Wire it Right
Residential Electrical Parts and Accessories
Light Switches
120volt Outlets
Circuit Breakers
Electrician Tools
Voltage Testers
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Splice Electrical Wires
Electrical Question: I need to move an existing 220 /240volt outlet to make a new gas and electric range fit when plugged in.
- This outlet is as old as the house which was built in 1971.
- I don’t want to rewire the entire run, I just want to use the existing box as a junction box and run over about a foot to the new location with a plastic remodel box.
- The problem is that there is no ground screw on the plastic boxes.
- What do I do with the ground wire in the new box?
- Do I simply cut if off?
- The existing outlet has three wires, two hots and a neutral I believe as the ground is attached to the box.
This electrical wiring question came from: Dennis, from Olympia, Washington.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Dennis.
How to Splice a 220 Volt Cable in an Electrical Junction Box
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
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 according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and inspected.
Special Materials: Properly sized wire connectors, anti-corrosion ointment, electrical tape, junction box and blank cover.
Working with Ground Wires and Junction Boxes
- Splicing 220 Volt Cable
- Splicing onto the existing cable and extending it to a different location is fine, just make sure to splice all the wires together color to color including the ground wire.
- What to do With Spare Wires
- Never cut off a wire that is not being used especially a ground wire.
- Cap off any unused wires and if the junction box does not have a terminal or there is no provision for terminating the ground wire then do not cut the ground wire off, but keep it folded inside the junction box.
What to do with the Ground Wire
- Junction Box Ground Wire
- I have seen this far too often where the ground wire is cut off really short especially at switch boxes because the switch did not have a ground terminal, however it is best to keep the full length of the ground wire and fold it back into the junction box so that it is available for future use.
- Safe Keeping for Ground Wires
- The ground wire poses no threat even if it is a bare wire as long as the ground wire is folded into the back area of the junction box.
More about Home Electrical Wiring
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
- Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for.
- Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location 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.
Wiring a Kitchen Range
-
Wiring a Kitchen Range Power Cord
- Fully Described Electric Range Installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system.
- You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric range. Lets look at how the electric range is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.
Electrical Grounding
-
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
- Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
Splice Electrical Wires
Electrical Question: I need to move an existing 220 /240volt outlet to make a new gas and electric range fit when plugged in.
- This outlet is as old as the house which was built in 1971.
- I don’t want to rewire the entire run, I just want to use the existing box as a junction box and run over about a foot to the new location with a plastic remodel box.
- The problem is that there is no ground screw on the plastic boxes.
- What do I do with the ground wire in the new box?
- Do I simply cut if off?
- The existing outlet has three wires, two hots and a neutral I believe as the ground is attached to the box.
This electrical wiring question came from: Dennis, from Olympia, Washington.
Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Dennis.
How to Splice a 220 Volt Cable in an Electrical Junction Box
Skill Level: Intermediate to Advanced – Best performed by a Licensed Electrician.
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 according to local and national electrical codes with a permit and inspected.
Special Materials: Properly sized wire connectors, anti-corrosion ointment, electrical tape, junction box and blank cover.
Working with Ground Wires and Junction Boxes
- Splicing 220 Volt Cable
- Splicing onto the existing cable and extending it to a different location is fine, just make sure to splice all the wires together color to color including the ground wire.
- What to do With Spare Wires
- Never cut off a wire that is not being used especially a ground wire.
- Cap off any unused wires and if the junction box does not have a terminal or there is no provision for terminating the ground wire then do not cut the ground wire off, but keep it folded inside the junction box.
What to do with the Ground Wire
- Junction Box Ground Wire
- I have seen this far too often where the ground wire is cut off really short especially at switch boxes because the switch did not have a ground terminal, however it is best to keep the full length of the ground wire and fold it back into the junction box so that it is available for future use.
- Safe Keeping for Ground Wires
- The ground wire poses no threat even if it is a bare wire as long as the ground wire is folded into the back area of the junction box.
More about Home Electrical Wiring
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
- Understanding electrical junction boxes and what they are used for.
- Home electrical wiring is the process of installing electrical wire to a location 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.
Wiring a Kitchen Range
-
Wiring a Kitchen Range Power Cord
- Fully Described Electric Range Installation with a typical 220 Volt electric power cord wiring system.
- You may find yourself with either a 3-wire or 4-wire electric range. Lets look at how the electric range is wired and what to do if your cord does not match the plug.
Electrical Grounding
-
Electrical Grounding Methods and Requirements
- Listing of electrical codes for grounding with examples of electrical grounding codes for home electrical wiring.
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