How To Fix Short Wires In An Electrical Box

Published 2022-03-17
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When working with electrical in older homes that have been updated over the years it is not uncommon to run into short wires when replacing an outlet or light switch. There are 3 different options that I will go over in addition to speaking about what NEC says for the length of wires in an electrical box.

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NEC Code 300.14 -
up.codes/s/length-of-free-conductors-at-outlets-ju…

Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:49 NEC 300.14 Review
1:35 Option 1: Checking for Service Loop/Extra Romex
2:52 Option2: Pulling New Romex to Junction Box or Panel
4:28 Option 3: Extending Wires With Wago 221 Lever Nuts
7:53 Wrap Up

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All Comments (21)
  • Couple little minor tips from an Electrician that has beenpulling wire for almost 40 years. #1) When you are taping wire on to pull anywhere (up a wall, in a pipe, etc...) Tape in the direction of the pull. What I mean is this: If pulling up or through a wall from an existing box, do not start in the box and tape out, start on the outside and tape back into the box or wall. That way there is 1 tape "edge" for any obstruction to catch and roll the tape off or into a bundle that can really screw up your day. Each wrap of tape overlays the prior wraps with the "edges" facing back and not forward.

    # 2) 99% of pulls like you are showing in this video do NOT need to be twisted. Cut the individual wires in each romex back in a staggered way leaving the grounds (or a stripped insulated wire if no ground on the old romex) long and do a TIGHT fold on each of them. Tape tight and your bundle is MUCH smaller and compact and in some cases will slide through old staples if the old romex is the cloth covered type. In 40 years of doing it this way I have never had wires pull apart in a wall fish if properly, tightly taped and not jerked HARD.

    Other than those two little things, this is a great tutorial for people. Most of these DYI videos concentrating on electrical work makes me cringe, the ones I have seen from you are generally spot on and only lacking in the minor details that only come from too many years of experience that make the job easier.
  • @TheMarc52
    You are providing a valuable service for people like me, who are good with their hands and are able to do a lot of things, but don't always know the best practices when it comes to electrical. Thanks for doing this.
  • @akapsycods
    Be sure to test both sockets. I pulled a 20a out of a box and received a gift from a dual circuit socket. I found that it's a good habit and to test any and all old wires to make sure there isn't any current running through them. Back feeding is a thing, test all wires.
  • I love your videos. I just purchased a house and am doing little electrical fixes and your videos have saved me so much time and money. Thank you so very much!
  • @TheRealBanana
    Nice! I'm definitely going to use these tips from now on. Up to now I've been using the technique where you carefully deliver loud expletives, cursing the last person to work on the outlet, while making do with what little wire you have.
  • @50srefugee
    Excellent video, thank you. This was the first problem I faced the very first time I attempted an electrical repair--replacing a switch in my parent's almost [sob] half a century ago. I'd never heard of pigtails or the NEC, backwiring and Wagos were not yet dreamt of, the Internet was beyond imagining, and what should have been a 15 minute triumph was more than half an hour of cursing and sweating (literally, this switch was outdoors on the screened in porch), and fervent prayers that I had not just cost my folks an expensive service call. So my very first fix was also the first time I came face to face with a nemesis I'm very much afraid I myself have been for others: The Last Guy. I eventually succeeded, yay, but this would have been a great help.
  • @EpicBenjo
    I ran into this problem and used a Wago to add an extension. Lo and behold, this was your final option! Good to know I came up with a solution that is ok to use lol
  • A couple of things
    1 You should always snap the ears off of the outlet when using a blue Carling Box like this then the outlet will sit flushed with the box rather than bending the ears over and causing the cover not to sit right.
    2 With the Carlin Box like this you can loosen the screws up pull the Box out and see if you can loosen the wire inside the wall to get more into the box.
    3 You can always take a piece of yellow sheathing off of a peice of 12-2 romrx and slide it over the wires so you have some type of protection where the wires come into the Box.
  • @edparadis1578
    As I have run into this issue before, one other option is to remove the old work box and verify how the wiring was actually run, and if you can get any slack from either simply rerouting the cable, or possibly pulling a staple that might be binding it also. If not, then it does give you an idea of how much nmb sheath that you need to add onto it so that the plastic box grip isn't bearing on just the insulation of the wires by themselves. Like I said, I have run into this issue many times from homeowners doing their own electrical work... Great video!
  • @fomoco300k
    When my Grandpa, dad and uncles wired the 95-ish year old farmhouse I live in, he would hook up each device then have one of his sons pull the wire from the basement/crawlspace so there would be as little wire in each box as possible. He did this to save a few inches (which add up to feet) of copper wiring. Yes, he was cheap. Grew up in the depression. And, yes, it is a pain when I want to upgrade anything... especially since that 1959 Wire insulation crumbles when you work with it. Therefore, in some cases my only option is to pull new cable. On the bright side, I don’t mind the extra peace of mind or being able to give myself some slack.
    🙂Thanks, Grandpa, for being frugal and for teaching me how for those instances I need your frugality and your attention to quality. And, thanks for teaching dad about electricity so he could teach me! Can’t wait to see you in heaven!
  • Thanks for your videos! NO unnecessary foul language. Very informative 👏 👌 👍
  • Terrific explanation of this scenario. In a recent rehab situation I went the long road, and cut a channel in the drywall and installed a second junction box. Then was able to get correct length out of the original box and ran correct length to the new box. For sure the long road ! 😅
  • This is nice to know, Thank you. On a side note I used my ECX#1 yesterday to install an outlet. WOW, I am impressed on how it grips those screws.
  • @huejanus5505
    I was hesitant to use wagos till i watched some of your videos and read the comments, many from electricians. What a game changer, so much faster and easier, especially in tight places. I’m just a homeowner who does many renos, but likes things done properly. I don’t want issues later on. Thanks for putting these videos out.
  • I like to tape my Wago's closed and wrap around the outlet to cover the terminal screws. But Wago's are so nice and smaller than wire nuts. Great video.
  • You should always test for power in both upper and lower parts of the receptacle because both sides could be independently wired.
  • @markg7963
    Been watching several of your videos. I’ve done some electrical here and there, but I appreciate your videos as I learn a lot. Keep up the good work. Subscribed.
  • Great explanation. Exactly what I use, also.
    Wago is a little pricy but well worth the extra pennies.
  • Excellent, clear, concise presentation. You are a great teacher!!!
  • @Doug-gp2qw
    For DIYers, check both the top and bottom outlets before working on an outlet. It can be a split circuit outlet with the top and bottom on different circuits. Rare, but it happens. I wired a garage like that once. Also, take a scrap insulation cover and slide it over the wires where they enter the box.