Wiring Cable: Stripping, Splicing and Beyond

This is a do-it-yourself tutorial with one difference. Unlike most how to tutorials, it does not set out to show you how to follow through with more complex projects. Rather, it was designed to be a treasure trove of tips, hints, and all sorts of tricks of the trade. these priceless tidbits will make your do-it-yourself jobs so much easier and faster, and in the long run, will save you time and money, effort and grief. And once more they will help you time and time again. Let’s get started.

Stripping and Splicing

Knowing when you have enough

Do not get caught short of cable after stripping the ends. After measuring the length between the power source and the outlet, add one foot for each connection; then roughly give yourself room for error by adding another 20 percent to the total length. In other words, if the distance between the source and a receptacle is about 20 feet, add another 2 feet for connections at each end, giving you in total 22 feet to work with. The additional 20 percent gives you about an extra 41/2 feet . For this job, you should allow a total of 26 1/2 feet of cable.

Making the right Connection

When joining to solid wires together, remove about 3/4″ of insulation from the wire ends. Then while holding the ends parallel, screw on a wire connector(nut) clockwise until it is tight. (Unless otherwise indicated on the package, you do not have to twist the wires together first.) Wire connectors (nuts) come in various sizes for different size wires. To join two stranded wires or a stranded and a solid wire, twist the ends together in the same manner. Make sure the exposed wire is completely contained within the connector.

Wrap your Connections

Any kind of moisture and stray wires from other connections are two potential causes of short circuits. To keep them out of harms way, wrap at least three turns of electrical tape around the spliced wires and the wire connector. Then dab a little PVC pipe cement under the end of the electrical tape to keep it from coming un done.

A Home for your Splice

Any exposed wire splice is a fire hazard. For your safety, the National Electric Code requires that all splices be kept inside an accessible juntion box.

How much Cable Exposure?

Not exactly sure how much cable to expose for a juntion box? A good “rule of thumb” is allow 2 to 3 inches for the depth of the juntion box, then add another 6 inches for the cable outside the box. To strip the the non-metallic sheathing of the cable, cut a groove down the length of the cable with a safety utility knife or cable stripper. ( Never used a stripper before? Slip the tool over the cable, squeeze the handles, and pull the stripper back off the cable.) Peel back the sheathing and simply cut it off with your safety knife or cutting pliers if you have some. Do not forget to remove the wrapping or filler found around the wires.

Cutting BX Cable

Cutting through some good old BX cable with a hacksaw can be very awkward. Here is how you can simplify the job at hand. Hold the cable as steady as you can with some pliers while you make the cut. Or wrap the cable around a 3-inch pipe; grasp both ends of the cable in one hand while you saw. For either method, make sure you cut diagonally across the cable “being very careful” not to cut into the wire insulation; twist off the loose armor and remove the paper wrapping. Cover the sharp edges with a plastic bushing.