Learning how to connect two or more wires together can be a useful skill. Many appliances, stereos, and devices rely on wires to transmit signals. But working with electrical wires can be dangerous. Be sure to follow safety protocols when working with electrical currents and rely only on a certified technician to work with any type of electrical currents that run into buildings. Always start your work after you have shut off the electricity.
There are many different methods for connecting wires. This article will go through a few of them, including the most basic way of connecting two wires, connecting wires without soldering, pigtailing, how to pigtail three wires, and other common questions that come up during electrical work.
To learn the best way to connect wires, called wire splicing, it’s important to learn a bit more about how to use wire cutters (particularly wire strippers). This technique will come up often when making electrical connections. You’ll also want to understand a little bit more about what wire terminals are and how they work, but we’re going to cover a few of the basics here.
Types of Wire Connections
Learning how to connect two wires is fairly simple once you understand the materials required for making wire connections. Here are three of the most common ways to connect wires.
1. Soldering
This method involves twisting the strands of each of your wires together (or pigtailing them), tinning them by melting solder into the filaments to prep them for the best connection, wrapping both ends of exposed wire around one another, and melting the solder over the connection to splice the wires together.
2. Screw and Spring Terminals
These are two slightly different terminals that work in a similar way. As the name implies, screw terminals have slots or holes that allow you to insert the wire and then use a screw to secure the wire in place. Spring terminals have a similar design but rely on the pressure of a spring to hold the wire. This requires fewer tools and often less maintenance than screw terminals since the screws on such terminals can sometimes become loose and require tightening.
3. Crimping
Crimping a wire terminal is a specific technique that requires a crimping tool. It’s also one of the only techniques that allows you to use insulated wire that hasn’t been stripped yet. There are many advantages in connecting two wires by crimping them, including the cold-weld process that occurs without the need for solder. When crimping wires, two or more stripped wires are inserted into the wire terminal. A crimping tool is then used to press down on the terminal, forcing the inner arms of the terminal to wrap around the wires. The curved shape of the crimping tool helps ensure that the wires are dispersed within each other and then fully gathered together.
Is It Safe to Connect Wires with Electrical Tape?
While it may seem safe to connect wires with electrical tape, and an obvious solution given its name, using electrical tape does not provide a secure connection and it isn’t recommended. Although most quality brand electric tape is designed to handle high temperatures, it’s still possible for some brands to overheat and cause damage. And even without the safety risk, you still risk interfering with the quality of your connection. Instead, consider using wire nuts.
Wire nuts are flame-retardant caps that can be twisted over one or more stripped wires to create a secure connection. It may help to first twist the wires you are attempting to connect together and then twist the wire cap over them. These caps can eventually become loose, which makes them a better solution for more temporary projects or in situations where the wires are not being frequently shifted.
How to Make a Pigtail Wiring Connection
Pigtail connections allow you to extend one or more wires and join them by connecting them to a single wire that is longer in length. This practice is also done to reduce the number of wires used to connect to a device. Learning how to pigtail three or more wires is fairly simple.
Using wire nuts, start by stripping away the insulation to make all the wires you are trying to connect the same size. Connect wires with insulation that is the same color as the circuit wires to which you are connecting and use the appropriate gauge of wire cap. As mentioned above, twist the wires you are trying to connect with the new wire. Then twist the wire cap over all of the wires. According to the National Electric Code, a pigtail wire must be at least 6" long.
Learning how to connect two or more wires together can help you complete important projects and make sure your devices are running more smoothly. Just remember that it’s important to prioritize your safety and reach out to a licensed electrician when you’re uncertain about something.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.