Common Wire Splices and Joints
Common Wire Splices And Joints
Introduction
As a student in Electrical Installation and Maintenance you should acquire the important knowledge and skills in wire splices and joints and should be familiar with the actual application of every splice and joint. This will serve as your tool in performing actual wiring installation. Of course, another factor is the knowledge in interpreting and analyzing the wiring diagram especially if the circuit is complicated.
CONDUCTOR SPLICES AND TERMINAL CONNECTIONS
Conductor splices and connections are an essential part of any electrical circuit. When conductors join each other or connect to a load, splices or terminals must be used. Therefore, it is important that they be properly made. Any electrical circuit is only as good as its weakest link. The basic requirement of any splice or connection is that it be both mechanically and electrically as sound as the conductor or device with which it is used. Quality workmanship and materials must be used to ensure lasting electrical contact, physical strength, and insulation.
The first step in splicing or terminating electrical conductors is to remove the insulation. The preferred method for stripping wire is by use of a wire-stripping tool. An alternate method for stripping copper wire is with a knife. A knife is the required tool to strip aluminum wire. Take extreme care when stripping aluminum wire. Knicking the strands will cause them to break easily.
The following are the Common Electrical Wire Splices and Joints.
Rat Tail or Pig Tail - kind of joint is commonly used to join two or more conductors inside the junction box. It is suitable for service where there is no mechanical stress when wires are to be connected in an outlet box, switch, or conduit fitting.
Y-splice - method of wrapping is generally used on small cables because the strands are flexible and all can be wrapped in one operation.
Knotted tap- This is used where the tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.
Plain tap joint - used where the tap wire is under considerable tensile stress circuit.
Aerial tap - is used as a temporary tap usually done in constructions sites. The easy twist will facilitate tap wire movement.
Duplex cross joint - a two-tap wire turned simultaneously and is used where the two tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.
Western Union Short-tie Splice. This is the most widely used splice or joint in interior wiring installation to extend the length of wire from one point to another.
Western Union Long Tie-This is used extensively for outside wiring to extend the length of wire from one end to another.
Cross joint- The same application is done as in plain tap and the only difference is that this tap is a combination of two plain taps place side by side with each other.
Wrapped Tap or Tee Joint- This is used on large solid conductors where it is difficult to wrap the heavy tap wire around the main wire.
Activity 1
SPLICING OF WIRES
DIRECTION. Below are Steps of common wire splices and joints used in electrical wiring installations. Practice doing the task by following the steps given. Your performance will be judged using the rubric:
TOOLS
Combination pliers
Side cutting pliers
Long nose pliers
Wire stripper
Electrician’s knife
MATERIALS:
Solid and stranded copper wires of different sizes; #14, #12
1/4 Illustration Board
Steps in Electrical Splices and Joint
1. Prepare the wires for splicing. Enough insulation is removed to make the splice. The conductor is cleaned.
2. Bring the wires to a crossed position and make a long twist or bend in each wire.
3. Wrap one end of the wire and then the other end four or five times around the straight portion of each wire.
4. Press the ends of the wires down as close as possible to the straight portion of the wire. This prevents the sharp ends from puncturing the tape covering that is wrapped over the splice.
*Please Refer to this youtube video for more details
Self Check 1.2
