How to Extend Short Cables: Simple DIY Fix

Hi Jerry , I live in England and owned my MG ZS EV since December 2022. Just wanted to say I’ve learned so much from watching your videos about my car , without your videos don’t know where I would be. I love this latest Video as I’ve experienced at least 4 of the issues you have covered. I’ve promoted just about all your videos covering this vehicle as I genuinely think they are the best for anyone waiting delivery or just taken delivery of the MG ZS EV. We have a MG ZS EV forum in the UK and I’ve copied the link to your channel to help others Keep up the excellent work and no need to be camera shy 😂

Great video - very simple instructions. You're gonna do well on YouTube - just keep up the momentum!

Good practical advice, thank you.

Thanks for the decent easy advice in methods and explanation. I've just subscribed.

Was oulling my hair iut until i saw this trying ti do a socket the cabke kept coming out i didnt know what to do and didnt realise it was that simple thanks for the tip dude 😉

Nice - I having thought about this I would first connect the "extension" wires into the socket and then fit to the Wagos in the back box - a lot less fiddly not so awkward.

To remove the Ideal connectors, pull with slight pressure while rotating. This will "unscrew" the wire from the connector. Only works with solid core. And I believe the connector is rated for reuse, but sometimes it feels a bit dodgy like it is now loose inside and I don't want to reuse it.

Do the Wago connectors have to be in the back box? If space is tight and plastering work is being carried out can they be chased into the wall? Maybe taped with insulating tape first?

Saw comments about screw connectors vs Wago etc. It appears that Wago are considered 'maintenance free' and as such less likely to come loose. 50hz will affect screws over time. Unless 'maintenance free' all connections must be accessible. Great stuff BTW

I have 2 sockets where the cables are too short. Both of these have 3 brown, 3 blue and 3 earth going to the back of socket. Question is can I connect all of one colour wires to a Wago 222, 5 port and then add a fly lead to connect to socket?

Of course it depends on the country, but wire nuts are commonly used and legal in North America and some parts of Europe. I just extended a really short length coming from a gang box to have more wire to work with, and I used wire nuts. It’s my understanding that much of Europe banned earlier versions with brittle ceramic caps, but might not have adapted to modern plastic caps that are typically rated for 300 or 600V. I guess it’s ironic that Ideal is an American company that does a lot of business in Europe, although WAGO is German. Ideal also has their In-Sure Lever, which is similar to WAGO.

What about using standard inline CRIMPS, which would provide a smaller footprint (and less bulky than WAGOs, etc as you demo)?

What are your opinions on the crimp type connectors, I know they need a tool to fit but if you want to remove them you only lose 6mm length from the original cable?

What about using standard inline CRIMPS, which would provide a smaller footprint (and less bulky than WAGOs, etc)?

This is all very nice and easy if you have tons of space like here. I usually get this in a single recessed socket outlet box where there's very little maneuvering room, and such bulky connectors are out of the question. I bet these particular ones are ridiculously expensive too.

hi what would you do if you wanted to extend a light switch about 1 meter from the existing one its nthe wiring needs to be implanted in the wall.

Is it okay to put 2 neutrals in wago and extend with just one cable out? I was working on socket and saw 2 neutral cables were damaged with visible copper so I decided to cut them short and put into wago and extend with one out. The circut is Radial and that specific socket was second last in the circut, the last one was just above the one I was working on. I was thinking the other day that I maybe should extend with 2 sperate cables instead of puting 2 damaged in wago and extend with one. This bothers me ...

I am not sure of the lifespan of these receptacle but they are sure looks better and more functional then our North American standard receptacle.

With the wago ,you can extend with stranded wire also , 2,5 mm stranded must be used ,

What if you have three pairs of cable to extend going into a single switch spur?