Last updated on August 14th, 2022 at 01:26 pm
Whether you are moving into a new home, building a house, or involved in other building projects, you will have to connect, reconnect, extend or even splice wires.
Each wire has a precise way by which they are spliced. This article will outline how to splice a four gauge wire and the various methods you can use to accomplish this.
You can splice a 4 Guage wire by stripping the wires, using a twist-on wire cap, installing a butt splice, and making a line man’s splice by bending the exposed wires into L- shapes and connecting them.
How To Splice 4 Gauge Wire Together?
When it comes to splicing wires, four primary methods or processes are being used. Most national electric codes generally accept them.
They are:
- Stripping wires before you begin splicing.
- Use of twist-on wire cap
- Installing heat shrink butt or butt splice
- Line man’s splice.
This article will explain these methods and preventive measures enumerated for ease while you splice gauge wires.
How To Splice Wires?
#1. Strip The Wire
Firstly, disconnect and unplug the particular appliance you need to splice wires on.
If this is not possible to be unplugged or disconnected, then shut off the circuit breaker directly connected to the device, or you can also switch off the main circuit breaker.
This goes a long way in preventing electrical shocks and electrocution.
After this, use a utility knife or wire stripper to slice and cut out the outer copper insulation plate.
Strip at least 6 inches of the copper or plastic plate off the tip of the two wires you want to splice together.
Also, remove all the paper covering around the insulated and ground wires. This step works for only wires that are insulated.
#2. Twist-On Wire Cap
After stripping the two wires, you want to splice, hold the ends together and allow the tips to touch one another.
Do not attempt to twist wire connectors on the spliced wires because that can result in an unsecured wire cap placement.
Take a wire cap and clip it onto the naked wires in a clockwise motion. Continue to turn it for at least 5 seconds.
This is necessary because it makes the cap firm and tight. It also makes the spring inside the wire cap tight and keeps the cap in place.
Carefully roll black electrical tape on the back of the wire cap till it is covered totally. Allow each tape layer to overlap to avoid any tendencies of having naked or exposed wires.
You can use a utility knife or scissors to cut the tape out after laying enough tape around the wire cap.
#3. Heat Shrink Butt Or Butt Splice
The next thing to do is take one end of the spliced wire and put it in the middle of the butt splice.
Exert pressure on the naked end of the wire till it is at the center, then use a wire crimper to crimp a hole on the butt splice that is precisely its size.
Place the jaws of the crimper firmly on the butt splice so that it makes holes in it. Ensure that the holes are not too small so that you do not cut the wires.
Fortunately, most wire strippers come with pre-installed crimpers.
Take the tip of the second wire and slide it into the other end of the butt splice and crimp it.
Make sure the tip of the second wire touches the tip of the first wire when it slides into the splice.
Like the first wire, make sure to use the crimper to make a hole around the splice. Most of these butt splices are transparent, so you can see when the tips of the two wires meet.
Cover the butt splice with a heat shrink tube from any two wires or use black electrical tape.
Use a heat gun, torch, or a lighter to heat the wires while rotating them and ensure that the tube shrinks evenly on all sides.
#4. Making A Lineman’s Splice
The last and final method of splicing wires is to make a line’s man splice. First, strip the wires and bend them to form an L- shape.
Next, hook the cables while you twist them, one upside down and another right-side up. Finally, continue to weave them together.
Use a plier to wrap the two sides together. Ensure that the grip between the two wires is very tight and secured.
Next, heat the two exposed ends of the cables while you solder them using a soldering iron.
Use your left hand to hold the soldering iron and on the left hand a rod of silver to drip onto the butt splice while you coat the entire splice.
When installing new outlets or electric components in the home, office building, or other building projects, you will need to remove wires, reconnect a few, connect some while you splice, and extend others.
Most wires are spliced by following basic principles and preventive measures to keep you safe from electrical hazards.
Most metal junction boxes are the same everywhere and have a universal function.
They are primarily for protection against shocks and electrocution.
One of the most special precautions is never to splice two wires of different sizes or gauges. The wire gauge determines the number of amperes a wire is supposed to carry.
For instance, while a 12- gauge wire can carry 20 amperes, a 10- gauge wire can carry 30 amperes.
A possible overload can cause the wires to overheat and melt and cause a fire outbreak or hazard.
Secondly, before commencing splicing of wires, do well to disconnect every electrical extension that can potentially cause a shock or electrical damage.
If you are not satisfied with your safety, turn off the circuit breaker connected directly to the wires you want to splice and even the main circuit breaker.
You can also use a voltmeter to test if the current is still flowing through the wires.
Before you finally start working on splicing the wires, ensure that :
- You are working along with someone to watch out for you In case of an emergency.
- Ensure that your shoes are rubber made to help insulate your body.
- Never do wiring, splicing, or electrical work in damp environments.
If you follow these precautions, you should be safe and also be able to splice the wires correctly.
Conclusion
Splicing wires involves stripping and reconnecting wires together. For example, you can splice a four gauge wire.
You can splice a gauge wire by stripping the wires, installing a butt splice or heat shrink butt on the cables, and using a twist-wire cap.
When splice gauge wires, extreme care has to be taken to avoid shocks, electrocution, and fire outbreaks.