How much Wire is Required at an Outlet Box. (How to Extend Short Wires)

Come see the correct (code compliant) methods to extend short wires in your outlet and switch boxes. It's easier than you think.
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[@BackyardMaine]

Go to drinkag1.com/backyardmaine to get a one year supply of vitamin D3+K2 and 5 AG1 travel packs with your first subscription. thanks to AG1 for sponsoring today’s video!

[@rontiemens2553]

My favorite electrical channel. Great content! I absolutely love Wagos. Here is a video idea: please show us how you efficiently and safely compress the wires into the box. Thanks again, looking forward to your next video!

[@BackyardMaine]

Thanks so much and Great suggestion! I actually have that on my idea list. I will try to get that one up soon.

[@waxingmoonjfs]

Agreed! I was thinking about that at the very end of the video myself! That's always my issue, and minimum box size needed for x# of what gauge wires to be code? I live somewhere there's ZERO code inspection or permitting needed, homeowner electrical work is fully approved, but I prefer to do things RIGHT, the codes have all been written for good reasons... Remodeling my 1950's built rewired in '98 house has shown me just how much our demand for electricity has multiplied so much in just 20-30 years even. What should be 13 separate circuits was on a single run, another 8 on one other... Lots of updating to be done!

[@paulg.yarger8797]

Ya,the Lever Connectors are Great! They're on my List for a Lowe's Run!!!

[@chartier67]

Here is a tip I think everyone needs to know. NEVER have someone else turn the power off. I had someone turn off the power to a fluorescent ballast I was working on and failed to verify the circuit was off (that one was on me). I grabbed the metal fixture, and went to cut an output wire and was electrocuted with nearly 1000 volts. I would have died if I hadn't fallen off the ladder.

[@GrampiesWorkshop]

How's she goin'? These 'lever' style connectors sure are a neat solution. They take a lot less space in the box and to me that makes them the 'ideal' solution!! Thanks for posting. Take 'er easy!!

[@BackyardMaine]

Doing well Mike.. I hope you are as well. I think they are a great option especially for people who aren't doing this for a living. Take care my friend.

[@MyClutteredGarage]

I’ve become a fan of those WAGO connectors. And I just installed 15 of those Leviton outlets with the lever connections. Nice!

[@BackyardMaine]

I think they are a great option especially for people who aren't doing electrical wiring every day. The really make it easy to get a reliable result.

[@user-em6ie2be7x]

I love using The WAGO wire connectors with a good piece of Speed Wire to extend the wire. 🧑🏿‍🔧

[@jackl9922]

I have used all of your recommended methods, only once used wago, as not enough length for wire nut. I’m old fashioned as like the contact area a wire nut or screw terminal provides. You provide good content. Originally, I subscribed because of Maine. My sis lives there, I’m west coast.

[@BackyardMaine]

I like wire nuts as well but I think the lever nuts are a great option for most DIYers.

[@jtb-southphilly]

Thank you for all your tips John! Very helpful for guys like myself. All the best.

[@BackyardMaine]

Much appreciated! I am happy to help. Thanks for watching my videos.

[@Sparky-ww5re]

I've found Wago lever connectors a blessing in situations where the previous so called "electrician " couldn't stomach the couple extra pennies necessary to have the wires extend more than just past the face of the box, gotta love cleaning up other people's suck ups. Lol Speaking of which, in Late August 2015, (ironically the same year I discovered the farmer's aka Chicago 3 way installed in 1951-52 on a farm in Sanilac County MI which I commented on in the deadly Chicago 3 way video about 3 weeks ago), got my first Apartment in Pontiac Michigan, ran by a slumlord, whom I'll refer to as "Dick" going forward. So I move into a 1 bedroom unit on the second floor. In my unit was a window air conditioner in the living room that "was 120V, up to 15A" going by the plug and receptacle. This location also happened to be ideal for plugging in my floor lamp. When I turn the switch at dusk, the CFL bulb I was using flashed and popped loudly and caught fire. Panicking, I throw the flaming lamp out the window onto the grass. Having just finished the apprenticeship program, I pull out my wiggy, and sure enough, it was a 240V air conditioner, the factory plug on the unit was changed to fit the receptacle. So I report my findings to Dick, who refused to answer my phone calls and voicemails. Later we meet just outside the leasing office where we get into an altercation and I broke his jaw and spent some months in jail and ordered to pay restitution. Anyway long story short, whether you are moving into a new property or are a renter, at the bare minimum you should check all receptacle outlets with a 3 light tester; a receptacle that is miswired with 240V will have all three lights lit, with one light glowing brighter than the other two. Open grounds and reverse polarity also should not be ignored. In most if not all states, if a landlord or property manager fails to correct safety hazards in a rental property within a reasonable time frame, a tenant has the right to report their findings to the city code enforcement, and the landlord can then be ordered to rectify the situation. In some states, a tenant can choose to have the problem repaired at his or her own expense and deduct that from the rent. I must disclose that I'm not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice.

[@dwayne7356]

I like how level nuts make it easier to stuff the wires into the boxes with decor style outlets and switches on older shallow boxes. I guess because you are not trying to get three conductors folded in one direction in a wire nut that with a level nut your are able to flatten the individual conductors easier around the device, especially if it's 12 awg.

[@BackyardMaine]

They do make things easier...

[@dhgmllcshea5038]

Great video, thank you. Quick clarification that may help a new DIYer... @6:09 when putting the white wires in the Wago you said "and [you can see that] there's no insulation showing". I am sure what you meant was- there's no 'uninsulated' wire showing.

[@BackyardMaine]

Good call! I did misspeak on that and never noticed. I guess I’m getting old. Thanks for pointing that out.

[@ronage2002]

Thank you John

[@BackyardMaine]

Its my pleasure my friend..

[@Alleycatthegadite]

As a former electrician we just sent the new guy to get the wire stretcher.😂

[@BackyardMaine]

The old apprentice trick.. 🤣

[@burgessbrooks412]

Ask him to grab the Matterdaddy Then he will ask you "what's a matter daddy?

[@dlighted8861]

I never heard of a service loop (good idea) and have been to three trade schools. Two electronics courses and construction electricity.

[@clyderichardson6475]

In my area the ideal and wagos are not lever nuts. When I am traveling I will purchase the lever nut versions.

[@BackyardMaine]

I left links if you're interested.

[@RussMeister70]

Nuts are bulky. What about the butt connectors with solder in them. I have used those and they seem to work fine? I never knew butt connectors weren't approved for hard wire.

[@MrPaulrael]

This dude aint drinking no AG1 😅

[@MrBlackbutang]

Thanks Maniac 🇺🇸🏁

[@BackyardMaine]

Thank you...

[@mg30ebay]

Quality butt-splices, such as those from AMP and Panduit, are Listed for solid wire. They're not available at retail, though.

[@TheSpatulaCity]

Wagos are easy and neat but have a higher resistance (higher heat) than a wire nut. The surface area connection of a wago isn't as much as a good wire nut so they might create a bit more heat when high amp devices are connected (electric heater, counter top oven or microwave). I have no problem using them on LED light and switch circuits but I'll still use wire nuts on outlets that might get high amp devices plugged in.

[@BackyardMaine]

I like wire nuts as well but I have been testing these and was surprised and how well they hold up. I like that they are easy for a less experienced person to get a reliable result.

[@jadoyon]

I hate having extra wire as it makes it so much harder to push it back into the box!

[@BackyardMaine]

I’m going to make a video with some tips to make that a lot easier.

[@JeremySpidle]

2:32 IMO, there is no need for or advantage to pre-twisting wires when wire nutting. It takes you longer to do, and the wires get chewed up by plier jaws, too.

[@BackyardMaine]

I do it because I have seen two many failed connections where one wire gets pushed out of the twist. It happen more with 12 gauge than 14. When you pre-twist and snip off the end you have a solid connection you can see before the wire nut goes on. I know this is an often debated topic but thats the reason I like to pre-twist.

[@AntonyHaines]

Can you send a link for those pliers you are using?

[@BackyardMaine]

Sure everything I used in the video is linked in the video description but here's the link for the stripper. I love them.. amzn.to/4anTCtE

[@JCWren]

What about option 4? Replace the receptacle with a back-wired (NOT back-stabbed!) receptacle, and make it the next person's problem :)

[@slushbilly5893]

Have fun with that. I have come across boxes that have wire that don't even break the plane of the wall. The wago connectors make it possible.

[@BackyardMaine]

Those are a great option but I still like to extend the wire to a code compliant length.

[@jongarrison8826]

It would be funny if you started talking really fast halfway through the video and ended with WOW I FEEL PUMPED! THIS AG1 IS AWESOME!

[@BackyardMaine]

That would be funny.. 😂

[@Ferdinand-yx5wh]

Is there any way to contact you directly

[@BackyardMaine]

You will find an email by clicking the arrow at the top of my home page where I tell you about me and the channel.

[@stephenrocks7004]

Wago take up to much box fill,and you may exceed the cu inch capacity! I tried wago once in 52 years never again!

[@dinhdnguyen]

Damn... 1st time seeing KZbin video that has his own commercial built in to the video. Down vote for me!

[@BackyardMaine]

Really? Thats one of the ways we get paid for the hours of work that go into each video. It's nothing new, most creators that my size or larger do sponsored content. The creator economy is a multibillion dollar industry. You can always skip the ad..

[@billwoods5406]

Switch and bait. Electrician selling Alfalfa drinks. Gee wiz.

[@BackyardMaine]

Sorry but the ads allow me to keep making content and I only agree to promote product I really like or already use. I get over 100 offers a month and except one or maybe two.