How To Repair Splice Or Tap Into Stranded Copper Electrical Wires!

An extremely useful stranded copper electrical wire repair, splice, or tap into method that few know about. This how to video will demonstrate a method that's highly effective and fairly simple to do if wire nuts, butt splice crimp connectors, or soldering isn't an option. Electrical wire cut too short, how to properly make the wire longer without increasing the diameter. Enjoy the video! Be sure to share.
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[@electronicsNmore]

Just to let viewers know, you don't have to use the exact same knot I used, or wrap the wire from the center out like I did. You can use whatever knot that works for you, and if you'd like, you can wrap tightly in only one direction. You can also use forceps or needle-nose pliers to hold a very short wire as you wrap. Contrary to what some viewers thought, the soldered connection was a very good connection, the "frosty" appearance was not due to a "cold soldered" connection, it was due to the type of solder used(lead-free). A little more solder was applied than I normally use, but in no way does it have a negative effect on the connection. Thanks for watching!

[@ProjectFarm]

What a terrific way to splice a wire! Thank you for this very helpful video!!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked the idea! Looking forward to your newest video today. Thanks for watching!

[@natepeterson7145]

You're a genius.

[@fvrrljr]

Project Farm will use this method and give a shout out where he saw it

[@Davidorino]

Test different modes of splicing

[@HSterlingCross]

Why wouldn't you just solder it? It's super fine guage wire in this video, not like 12ga wire. After you solder them together, a simple heat shrink tube finishes it off.

[@autarchex]

I've used quite a few methods to twist together, hook together, interweave, butt-join, side-join, etc. two low current wires and never one thought to try this! It looks like this join should grow tighter as it is pulled apart, to a point, which is nice. I'll still be soldering my splices but I'm certainly going to give this a try.

[@russellstephan6844]

Useful tip for dealing with very thin gauge wire... Use fingernail clippers. The precision the clippers allow for cutting, wire stripping, and the like is better than any other purpose-built tool I've ever used. There are always three or four brand new finger nail clippers in my electronics repair fishing tackle box at all times.

[@sfleinen]

Excellent video about a technique that is long lost -- used to be used by the old telegraph union when splicing wires up on the poles back in the day. A minor nit, though, pointed out by someone who has military 2M (micro-miniature) Repair School certification -- poor soldering technique was demonstrated by the use of excess solder (colloquially called "the bigger the glob, the better the job" by bruskers), and then blowing on the solder to boot. That frosty appearance you see on the surface of the glob of solder is an indication of a cold solder joint. A good solder joint -- which is achieved by the proper amount of heat and "sweating" just enough solder to fill in all the voids -- has a very shiny look. Do NOT blow on the solder to speed cooling!

[@electronicsNmore]

Incorrect, the frosty appearance was due to using lead-free solder, it doesn't flow nicely like 60/40.

[@RichardKinch]

You're just laboriously improvising a crimp ferrule out of wire. Why not just cut a ferrule from a butt splice to fit the joined length and gauge?

[@JT-lq4yd]

I have never seen this before but it is an excellent idea. Thanks for sharing!

[@chuckb4375]

Nice - I like that you demonstrated secure mechanical connection of tied buswire using scale.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked the video Chuck! It was important to show viewers that when the job is done properly, the connection will be very secure. Be sure to rate thumbs up, consider subscribing if you like a wide range of helpful and informative videos, and look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you. Taking one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@beefstickswellington1203]

I like it, a wire cast. Usually I just hook wires together so it adds a bump and requires a slightly larger size of heat-shrink. This is much nicer.

[@LibertyZone777]

That vintage Paper Mate looks great !

[@vinitsingh8962]

I also use the same method but without knot, now I have even better one. Great informative video man.👍👍

[@snort455]

Best trick I’ve learned in a while.

[@paulmanhart4481]

Brilliant, for people who have dexterity in their fingers. I will keep this in mind next time I come across this problem. Then I’ll call my daughter to do the task.

[@sapelesteve]

Would never have known about this splicing procedure. Thanks for the excellent demonstration eNm! 👍👍

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Steve!

[@craignehring]

This is great! I have used this technique on electronic components. A variant if you will is to take a strand of, say lamp cord wire or the wires inside of a CAT 5 Ethernet cable or phone wiring. I have made some cool repairs by first wrapping a fine wire around a solid wire to form a coil and slide that coil over the stub... give it a squeeze and or solder it

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks for watching Craig!

[@basspig]

The method I came up with back in the 1940s was it's 1840's was to split the strands of each wire apart just a little bit and push the wires together interleaving all the strands and then wrap the strands together forming and foreign and almost continuous bread between the 2 wire ends. Then solder and cover with shrink tubing.

[@mr1shaggy]

That's how I do it also

[@KarlHamilton]

Also me

[@compu85]

I've done this too, but it isn't as neat as this method, and also sometimes frustrating if the 2 wires move as you're soldering them.

[@MojoPup]

I like this technique. I usually just thread the stranded wires together and solder, but sometimes it's hard to keep them in a nice compact condition especially when dealing with a loose piece... Great idea.

[@cassvirgillo3395]

Hey Doug, Always top rate content, very useful, electrical enthusiasts will find this of interest. I've been really busy lately, work, house remodel, trying to catch a few more videos. Warm day's in Oregon, fires early this year as it's been very dry, 400+K acres so far. Good to see you, as it were. All the Best, Cass.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks for watching Cass! Stay safe.

[@TMNT39]

Great tip for splicing wires in a pinch. Thanks for sharing!

[@skip741x3]

thanks bro! this is a great tip and it was one I hadnt used b4 ,despite being into electronics for 50 plus yrs...nice to have that idea to work with...

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad I could help! Be sure to check out my very wide range of videos and share. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@MohsinExperiments]

This is nice that you didn't stopped learning after that much experience.

[@PerrynBecky]

I worked as an auto mechanic for over 40 years, and in the past if a wire got nipped that short, I considered the electronic device to be scrap. I wish I would have seen this method a long time ago, it sure would have came in useful with a lot of automotive sensor repairs.

[@patthesoundguy]

Thanks for a new way to make that repair!! Great stuff. I am always open to new tricks like that

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Pat! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thank you

[@evildead1791]

Great video man, and a really cool fix!

[@markpashia7067]

The way you wrapped it for the photo cell without solder is essentially a Chinese finger trap design. Any pull tightens the wrap and makes it stronger. Cool.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks for watching Mark!

[@captainkiddoregon]

Great idea, especially when you have two wires that are affixed at both ends and fairly short where you can't really overlap the ends like you did and twist them together before soldering.

[@louisroy9348]

Very informative, I learned how to solve a problem I have had more than once. I will be watching your other videos. Thanks for sharing. Shine on

[@electronicsNmore]

Awesome, thank you!

[@xanataph]

I use this method often. What I like to do is rather than putting the two conductors beside each other before wrapping, I feed them into each other so that all the strands are intermingled, like pushing two brushes into each other. Works well. Wrapping the end of a single conductor is also useful if it needs to be fitted into a terminal designed for a larger gauge of cable. Handy when you are all out of "red" QC connectors but you have plenty of "blue" ones, and doubling the conductor over is not quite enough.

[@lonnieblackwell9215]

That is a very nice tip to know. Good video.

[@rayhat5111]

Wish I saw this 2 days ago. Great idea and vid. I won’t forget this.

[@BobMellor1954]

Great idea for splicing wires together, thank you

[@electronicsNmore]

You are welcome!

[@iandamianluciferwilson7385]

Great splicing method. I have used it today and can confirm it is a strong splice. Thanks for sharing.

[@electronicsNmore]

Great to hear! Thanks for testing it out, and thanks for watching! Please share the video link with others.

[@laochek]

Thank you. Great tips!!

[@earthenergyhex]

Thank You, I am going to use this right now!!

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Tony! It works great, just be sure to wrap each turn tight. Thanks for watching!

[@Aussiesnrg]

That is brilliant! I think I'll be doing that for other joins that don't want to stay together nicely.

[@electronicsNmore]

It's extremely helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@pasqualeparente9776]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@electronicsNmore]

My pleasure! Please share the video link with others. Thanks

[@bonzeno85]

I can't believe that I've never heard of this before. Such a great idea ,👍

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Anthony! Thanks for watching

[@pauljmeyer1]

No more shonky short wire connections, thank you.

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Paul!

[@aaronletchford]

Lovely thanks I'll keep that in mind 👍🏻

[@DEtchells]

Nice tip!

[@velcroman11]

Great demo!

[@grant31781]

Awesome! This will be useful.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Grant! Thanks for watching

[@Actinuon]

Huh, never thought of that. Honestly, from now on any two wires I need to splice together I'll do that way, it would do miracles on heat transfer and a good joint!

[@fishnhomeylod462]

Great idea, makes perfect sense.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so. Thanks for watching! Please share.

[@frankorosz901]

I wanted to see him actually doing the juggling act of doing that wrapping.

[@electronicsNmore]

No juggling act, all you would've seen are my finger tips blocking the camera.

[@StvPaterek]

@@electronicsNmore I would have had a juggling act, my fingers don't work that well! But I agree that is a very good way to repair a wire and I will try that next time I repair a wire in a car door where I don't have any room! :-) I learned something new today! :-)

[@ve2zzz]

Been using that method for years with a little plus: before wrapping the tin wire, i slowly pushed the two wires in eachother using slight rotation to let the two wires interweave together. However, never tought about the knot trick ! For sure, i will give it a try !!!

[@electronicsNmore]

You can do that, I usually find that many of the strands push outward and the 2 don't interweave easily. Thanks for watching!

[@tohtorizorro]

that is awesome!

[@dangerds1]

I needed this trick years ago , this is really going to get me out of a bind next time.

[@doctorartphd6463]

You are very articulate in your explanation. Excellent !! Thank you.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thank you kindly! Glad you enjoyed the video. Be sure to share the video link with others.

[@MrJello4]

Great tip - Thanks!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it! Be sure to rate thumbs up, consider subscribing if you like a wide range of helpful and informative videos, and look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you. Taking one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites would be greatly appreciated. Thanks kzbin.infoplaylists

[@MrThinking4myself]

Great tip!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Carl! Be sure to look over my video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you, and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@Jake-zc3fk]

Very clever! I love it.

[@electronicsNmore]

Great to hear Jake! Be sure to rate thumbs up, consider subscribing if you like a wide range of helpful and informative videos, and look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you. Taking one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites would be greatly appreciated. Thank you! kzbin.infoplaylists

[@dennisqwertyuiop]

great idea

[@napoleonwilson3912]

Looks like an effective solution to an annoying problem. Thanks for the video.

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome!

[@roberthorwat6747]

AMAZING!!!!

[@MrRene1968]

How come I never thought of that, awesome idea, thank you.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad to help! Be sure to share the link with others. Thank you

[@rs2143]

Nice thanks 😊

[@villiamo3861]

Super vid - thank you: very useful.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you enjoyed it! Be sure to share the link with others. Thank you

[@dafalzonAUS]

What an awesome idea

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Dave

[@davidreynolds4684]

Good video. Nice work

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it!

[@aturneroundlife]

Question, I bought a waterproof case for my gopro 7 and also a waterproof battery that came with cables for different type of devices with caps on both ends to connect to the camera and battery making it water proof. the supplied cable didn't work nor the replacement cable either. There was a cable that was sent with the battery that worked but did not have the caps. So I cut the wire in half and stripped then ends. Then I put the caps on each side and twisted the wires together keeping them from touching. When I connected the end to the battery and the camera it would not work. ?? I did not solder the connection just twisted them. Could that be the problem?

[@electronicsNmore]

Probably not connected properly, soldering wouldn't make it work.

[@lelandcarlson1668]

Very interesting and useful technique. Thanks. You could also use uninsulated butt connectors and both crimp and solder.

[@alexblanco9687]

What a great tip for stranded wire repair👍🏼

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it

[@jamespolucha6911]

Great job

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks James! Be sure to check out my wide range of videos and share.

[@beauxtx1959]

AWESOME!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so! Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you, and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@niczoom]

Good tip!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it Nic! Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you, and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@Jim-re3sr]

Great Video

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you enjoyed it! Please share. Thanks

[@joseochoa3239]

Good idea Thank you

[@electronicsNmore]

Welcome 😊

[@sstorholm]

There used to be premade coils for this purpose that you could buy for tube radio repair, cut of the faulty component but leave the leads intact, slip a coil over the leg of the new component and the stub of the old, solder and presto, a repair without touching the turrets or PCB

[@johntheoldmod]

Thank you for sharing this great idea I wish I had known about years ago but will use in the future, and ignore the sailors in the comments who offer no help but want to give knots names the rest of us don't know or care about.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked the method! They don't realize that you can use whatever knot you'd like to pull the 2 wires together, and wrap tightly only in one direction or both directions as I show.

[@5ive1ne9ine]

Thank you for this video. I have recently installed a Nest Wired door bell. Sadly, during the install, I cut too much of the wire from the existing door bell wiring. I ended up using the wire extensions that came with the nest, but its not ideal. What size buss wire can I use to help extend door bell wires for splicing?

[@davidgraemesmith1980]

Old techniques coming back into use, I vaguely remember being taught wire splicing as a kid, we used a latex adhesive to waterproof the connections as it was often easier in discreet work.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks for watching Dave!

[@davidgraemesmith1980]

@@electronicsNmore no problem, it true though isn't it about older techniques coming back into use, I used to hate splicing UK telephone wires solid strands with very thin insulation.

[@jostouw4366]

@@davidgraemesmith1980 So did the engineers so they use grease filled crimps.

[@jimstewart5739]

Excellent! Thanks...

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it Jim! Be sure to share. Thanks

[@henrikjorgensen1614]

Thanks for this trick

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Henrik! Be sure to rate thumbs up, consider subscribing if you like a wide range of helpful and informative videos, and look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you. Taking one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@ededmonds8792]

Awesome Work.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks!

[@jamienoel]

This is an awesome method!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so!

[@seanflanagan5674]

Great tip. Good point that folks who know to do this don't share the knowledge.

[@smartchip]

What a simple yet great idea,

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you like it! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thank you

[@TheRetiredtech]

That is a great idea!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked it! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thanks

[@cottydry]

Excellent technique!!

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks Dave! Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you, and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. kzbin.infoplaylists

[@justin8894]

Very handy!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you liked the video! Please share. Thanks

[@millanferende6723]

Hey I didn't know this trick! I would just wrap it around and it would disconnect, making it very annoying. Now I will try this! Thank you.

[@electronicsNmore]

Great to hear, and you're welcome! Be sure to rate thumbs up, consider subscribing if you like a wide range of helpful and informative videos, and look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you. Taking one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites would be greatly appreciated. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@TerryRGraham]

Nice repair.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks Terry!

[@workingguy6666]

Very cool.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so! Thanks for watching

[@PeterAcrat]

Thank you 👍

[@electronicsNmore]

You are welcome! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thanks

[@malcolmyoung7866]

AWESOME!!

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Malcolm! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thank you

[@sinlesskain715]

Very nice

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks

[@typxxilps]

beautifull - especially the additional y connection at the end 8:00

[@weisnowhere]

Thanks for sharing this technique! I would have just cracked open the plastic soldered the inside directly and made an ugly repair to the plastic Especially useful for sensitive it client repairs!

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome Henry! Be sure to check out my other videos and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. Thank you kzbin.infoplaylists

[@doubledforge]

Any ideas on connecting a wire that's been cut flush with the component. I have a fuel heater element for my 1998.5 Dodge Cummins that one wire was accidentally broken flush with the heater component. It's a sealed unit and Dodge / Cummins no longer carry this part or any replacement for this part. I thought of running a copper screw into the #16 stranded wire inside the component and then soldering a lead wire onto the screw head, but I can't find an appropriate sized copper screw locally or online. I've only been able to find brass screws and didn't know if that would work.

[@howardnielsen6220]

Thank You Very Clever

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome! Be sure to share the video link with others. Thanks

[@2010mistersoftee]

I never tried that, looks good nice fix

[@electronicsNmore]

It comes in VERY handy for certain situations.

[@SocratesFil]

My first thought in this case would be soldering, but it is always good to have alternative ways of doing something!

[@electronicsNmore]

Thanks for watching! Share the link with friends.

[@sewasewa6585]

He also suggested you solder it but you could do without if you not into soldering;)

[@killer_x_treme]

I've been doing this like 30 years. It's a very neat trick indeed. But I also use ferrules that will fit both wires inside to crimp the two wires when soldering isn't desired.

[@electronicsNmore]

Whatever works for you. Thanks for watching!

[@vijayantgovender2045]

Thank you for sharing your wonderful videos I am from a very sad South Africa

[@electronicsNmore]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoy them, be sure to share. Thanks

[@alext8828]

Good idea.

[@electronicsNmore]

Thank you! Please share.

[@anthonyhitchings1051]

very good

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad you think so Anthony. Be sure to look over my extensive video playlists below for many other videos of interest to you, and most importantly take one minute to share a link to my channel with others on social networking sites. Thank you! kzbin.infoplaylists

[@tofmcwilliams887]

Outstanding. Love your practical instructions on such a wide range of topics.

[@electronicsNmore]

Great to hear Tof! Be sure to rate thumbs up and share. Thank you!

[@bliu7240]

it's very helpful, thanks for sharing selflessly.

[@electronicsNmore]

Glad it was helpful to you! Please share the video link with others. Thank you

[@bliu7240]

@@electronicsNmore yes, I will do that

[@joeseda8102]

How come I never thought of this? LOL!

[@alienpoker]

Nice tip. I would add: If you’re soldering the wire and it’s connected to something at both ends, don’t forget to slip the heatshrink tubing on the wire before using this method. Ask me how I know! D’oh.