How to Repair a Damaged Electrical Wire – junction box wiring to complete the wire splice repair. This project is continued from Part 2.
NM-B 14/2 Junction Box Splice Wiring
These next steps explain how to wire the junction box. Begin by cutting the two Romex NM 14/2 electrical cables evenly to about 8 inches long as shown:
Strip at least 6 inches of insulation from the wire leads by cutting a 3/4″ long slit in the outer insulation sheath with the utility knife as shown, drawing the knife from the body of the wire towards the end. Per NEC 300.14, all conductors must extend at least 6 inches in the box and at least 3 inches beyond the box.
Pull to peel the outer insulation off like a banana from the NM 14/2 wires, then cut the insulation “peel” off at the base with the knife blade facing away from the inner wires so there’s no chance of nicking the insulation of the hot (black) and white (neutral) wires. The NM-B 14/2 outer jacket must extend at least 1/4 inch past the cable clamps into the junction box.
Using either the utility knife or the wire strippers, remove 3/4″ of insulation from the hot and neutral wires:
Wire strippers work great, just fit the wire in the 14 gauge slot, close the jaws and pull. A perfect cut every time!
Use the needle nose pliers to twist the wire leads together, matching the hot (black), neutral (white) and ground (bare copper) wires. You should have about 5/8″ of exposed copper wire after twisting the leads together. If the twisted section is too long, snip off the end so it’s 5/8″ long such that the copper conductors are completely covered by the wire nut. The junction box is grounded by installing a #10-32 green ground screw to attach a bare copper wire pigtail that is wire nutted to the other ground wires.
Secure the wires by twisting on a wire nut until tight.
Fold the wires into the junction box as shown, using gentle bends to avoid stressing the wires.
The junction box cover plate attaches with two screws that are provided with the box. Note the cover plate has “Under Side” stamped on the lid to indicate the side that faces the box.
Slide the cover plate on the junction box and tighten the two screws. Cover plates are required by the National Electrical Code.
Electrical Wire Repair Splice
Here’s a photo of the completed wire repair splice and new junction boxes:
After the junction box wiring is complete turn on the circuit breaker to restore the electricity. Use the non-contact voltage detector to verify the wires are powered. Check that the lights and/or electrical outlets are functioning. If outlets are powered by the circuit, verify the outlets are working and wired correctly with the receptacle tester.
Take care,
Bob Jackson
