SHOCKING New Way To Fix The VERY Common Open Splice Issue | Homeowners Don't Know These Exist

In this video I am going to show you how to fix open splices. These are very common and usually in places most homeowners do not go in order to realize they have them in their home. It can be very dangerous and definitely against code. There is a new product out that makes this repair incredibly fast and easy!
🧰 Products In The Video 🧰
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Klein Wire Strippers: amzn.to/42VwWye
Klein Lineman Pliers: amzn.to/42YPUUE
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Blessings,
Adam
How To Home assumes no liability for damage or injury. How To Home highly recommends using proper safety procedures and professionals when needed. Our content is for entertainment purposes only. No information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not How To Home. How To Home will not be held liable for any negligent or accidental damage or injury resulting from equipment, tools, electrical, fire, electronics or any items contained in this video. Attempt projects and repairs at your own risk.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Have you found any of these open splices in your home? Do you need to go look now? 😂

[@davidkilby1043]

Crap. At least I don't have an attic.

[@Susan70003]

My sprinkling system is like this. No box. Sprinkling system needs protection from lightening strike. That happened. Must have traveled under ground.

[@NoWr2Run]

@@davidkilby1043 I don't either, LOL.

[@autumnwoe6356]

Bummer, was hoping to eliminate the box

[@JCWren]

I don't have open splices but I have a bunch of boxes with no covers. Don't know how that got past the inspection. One day I'll remember to fix those. And, wow, those boxes are NOT cheap!

[@dougb8207]

That's amazing! I bought a very old house in an unincorporated area in 2021. Having come from Chicago suburbs, I was greatly surprised to find all the open splices in my attic, and to not have been cautioned about them by an inspector. I've repaired about 15 of them so far, the old fashioned way. And, I've been working 2 weeks (almost done) up in my garage attic to completely redo a number of circuits. It's been so hot, I almost got heat stroke today. Thanks for sharing this!

[@ralph1478]

While you're at it, add some roof vents to keep the attic cooler. Excessive heat will cause premature roof failure.

[@fullquiver11]

Thank you for sharing this product!! I have quite a few to do in my attic. A definite time saver!

[@cafemolido5459]

It's always good learning new stuff

[@yvonnejackson1696]

Neat-o. Open splices were some of the more “professional “ wiring situations in the last house I bought. Not only were there a number of open splices but I found splices inside lighting boxes that were wrapped with a couple of loops of masking tape.

[@4legdfishman]

New subscriber here! That's a great product! A am a DIYer, but my father was a master electrician back in the day. He taught me how to wire and showed me the code violations, and the open splice was one of them. I'll have to admit that there is one in my house right now 😮 I was cutting the floor from above and somehow managed to hit the wire in the basement. I made a quick open splice and moved on. Now, I can go back and fix it quickly! Then my entire home will be in compliance! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@kenbordner6423]

Pretty good idea . Usually they are too short and need 2 boxes to accomplish this , but if just right , great product

[@newbutt]

Haven't seen that box before, what a time saver. Thanks

[@JohnUllrey]

This is really helpful. I have an open splice in my attic right now that I sometimes worry about. Now I have an easy fix. Thanks!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Awesome! You are very welcome. Really glad to hear you liked it. Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@10forthebigguy753]

Thanks for the tip I created two or three of these in my attic my self . Always want to be prepared for the inspector.

[@SlavkosHobbyChannel]

Great information, thanks for sharing them.

[@maxcoldest7196]

2nd house I bought had 4 of said connections IN 1960's ROCKWOOL insulation!! Learned alot on that one! Graduated to building my own w/ that knowledge and running a crew 4 Habitat. The final house we sold had ZERO items on the inspection punch out! Quality is key! (along w/a good dose of OCD) 😉 Great channel....still follow tips, methods & products..

[@geodavid51]

Always great to discover new devices on KZbin. Thanks!

[@brianwest1501]

Good job. Just helped a friend in Falls Church VA. I found this exact scenario. Amazing people do splices outside junction boxes. Got er cleaned up. Now it’s to code.

[@flagmichael]

I have to say it really looks like a remarkable product; simple but valuable.

[@What1zTyme]

Excellent tip! Great instructions! Really like/prefer your new "bullseye" transition, much better than the old "hand in the face"

[@TheNextStepAgency]

Hi there, Rack-A-Tiers Rep agency from Canada here. Great video! Just to add a couple items. The biggest time saver is something you didn't show. TRACKING DOWN THE BREAKER the splice is on and turning it off. Especially if you're working solo. The other important note is to be sure to check the connections of the open splice before enclosing it. If the connections are loose, you're going to have to take apart the splice so go find that breaker.

[@USMC1984]

It’s a great idea. But at $13 usd it’s still a little pricey, hopefully the price will come down in the next couple years.

[@integr8er66]

​@@USMC1984Right, I can undo and redo a splice for less than $13 and a box with actual clamps is better anyway, AND you get to make sure the splices are tight when you redo them.

[@USMC1984]

@@integr8er66 I agree. But with this plastic box having its own lid and not needing plastic cable stays and lids for metal boxes it would be a lot easier to use.

[@ccdrouin]

Don’t really understand why putting the connection in a box makes it safer

[@wncryder]

Good information! Thank you for sharing.

[@williamshafer9182]

I have had to do that a few times with Raco octogan boxes in the past, take a hacksaw and cut two Parallel cuts in the side of the metal box and bend the tab in and insert the Romex. Worked for me.

[@ianbelletti6241]

Your example is the best case scenario. 90% of the time that you run into open splices there is not enough wire length to get both wires into the box. You'll typically need 2 boxes with covers, a length of the appropriate size romex (NM-B), some staples, and wire nuts. If you're dealing with the old cloth covered wire you may need heat shrink as well. Some old houses are using bx. If that is the case then you'll need bx/mc connectors, romex fittings, and the boxes need to be designed to accept the fittings.

[@IrfanKhan-ze4yx]

TYCO makes a code compliant splicer kit for those tight wires. Part A22899-000

[@ianbelletti6241]

@@IrfanKhan-ze4yx I'm familiar with that. It's typically used in double wides at the seam. Most of the time when I have to deal with that situation both ends are too short for that device as well. It also tends to be more time consuming than just installing boxes. On top of that, the boxes offer the flexibility of expanding the circuit if necessary in the future.

[@nicholash8021]

@@IrfanKhan-ze4yx That seems to be marked as obsolete on Mouser

[@N20Joe]

I always just install 2 boxes and a jumper on open splices because a guy who's dumb enough to make an open splice, is also dumb enough to make it too short to work on later.

[@kevindonovan1227]

@@N20JoeWORD!

[@kk31617]

Thanks for the info.

[@kimberHD45]

Good job with clear and concise explanation approach

[@TopCat2021]

Nice idea thanks for sharing, I believe the reason we haven't seen such items before is code compliance from the NEC (they take forever) these splices were a dream to fix. Normally there isn't too much slack in the wiring and the whole mess is taped up inline, sometimes without enough slack to put a box in without additional splices to the line.

[@glengivens3216]

Code requirements for splices have not changed. They all have to be enclosed. The market research, design, and listing (UL, etc) is what took the time!

[@Mills141]

Love the safety 👌

[@jhanawa]

Talk about timing, I was putting in a receptacle extender yesterday and was shocked to find open splices inside my kitchen island. Amazon is sold out. This is brilliant.

[@RT-mn2pb]

Nice. I like the hexagonal shape and flexible mounting options.

[@Cymaphore]

I think it might be a good idea to not bend the openings down entirely. If you bend it in just a tiny little bit, it will provide some strain releave. The plastic edge will press against the cable and keep it in, if my assumption is correct. This is actually a strain releave method that is used with many compact connectors. For example the strain releave on many MC connectors (from Staubli) is done this way and works quite well.

[@rogersmith6515]

That's what I was wondering. My understanding is that a retaining clamp or some other mechanism is required to resist pulling the cable from being pulled. Also, to help seal the opening against any sparks shooting out the box and starting a fire.

[@tchevrier]

strain relief, not releave

[@watvannou]

Or that sharp hard plastic edge will strip the insulation off the conductors and create the perfect short circuit right on the edge/outside the box and set fire to the attic...

[@flagmichael]

@@watvannou If it is a short circuit, the breaker will trip immediately. That is what they are there for.

[@randallsmith2360]

My first house which was built sometime between the late twenties and early forties had two lines coming into a fuse box from the alley and two lines going out to the attic. Each line had a fuse, I think, but it was just one circuit. The two cloth covered wires ran parallel through the attic with a splice for each light and outlet, which were few. There was a single outlet in each room, not a double outlet like is common today. While rewiring,I discovered some charred wood next to the old outlet in the kitchen where the refrigerator was plugged in. Scary. I went a little overboard with 10 circuit breakers, outlets everywhere, including the attic, a closet, outside, and on the rooftop. I added a window AC and some ceiling fans while I was at it. House was only about 900 square feet.

[@MrCEPPaulT]

Handy solution to a common problem. Thank you!

[@scottodonnell7121]

Common where? I was an electrician for 40 years and saw this a few times, always done by a homeowner who thought he knew what he was doing. We did things properly in Massachusetts. No electrician would deliberately do this. But, since I retired to South Carolina, I have seen some of the worst electrical work imaginable. Totally SMDH.

[@toddthreess9624]

Great product. Thanks for putting this information out there.

[@markbastings4451]

Nice, easy!! Great information thanks!!

[@danielmyers1903]

That is fantastic! So simple.

[@LumberjackPa]

That is ingenious! Thanks for sharing.

[@davewinters174]

That is incredible!!!

[@chriserickson4417]

Very good, thank you!

[@zekenzy6486]

Great Video. Thank you for sharing

[@Thorathome]

Of course! Thanks for this Aha! product demo

[@MrGodfather367]

Great video! I need to pick up a few of those boxes. I really learn a lot from your videos, thank you!

[@jamescaron6465]

That is very slick, a very clever device

[@johnstansak7867]

Timing is perfect. I have a small home project that this will do well on

[@videowatcher313]

Very informative.

[@jimmydhenderson39051]

Thanks for showing this!

[@jasonburris1675]

I do like the product. It's not always that easy. Many times I will find an open splice with 3 or 4 sometimes 5 Romex coming together. Great videos

[@smrp1984]

Great video, thank you. I wish I had these a few weeks ago

[@d2finch]

love your content!!

[@nyst8fmind]

Thanks again for the very informative content, now ill have to go check my attic 😅

[@tunisiano187]

Thank you for the video

[@markar94]

Awesome product and timesaver. Thank you

[@wangofree]

Brilliant!

[@vanwynn8193]

Thanks sir very great job 🥰👍.

[@ToeKnee75]

Thank you for the video. It's good information.

[@defuller1]

Such a simple concept, yet where has this been for the last 40 years?! Thanks for the video!

[@nothankyou5524]

Right where it should be.

[@alanjohnson2853]

Great info, well done!

[@JimfromIndy]

It's very important to emphasize that the outside (in this case, white) insulation for the cable must be captured by the tabs you pushed down. It is not good enough to capture the individual conductors. You must "pinch" the outside of the romex cable to provide proper strain relief and meet code.

[@s2turbine]

I couldn't believe he just disabled the strain reliefs. I said to myself: I bet he removes them from regular boxes too. An yep, if you slow down at 1:56 you can see he completely removed the strain relief from that box as well. Solve one problem and create another.🤦

[@kamX-rz4uy]

Those little tab doors on this thing don't do anything to secure the cable. The romex needs to be secured to the stud within 8 inches of each side of the box.

[@s2turbine]

@@kamX-rz4uy Then you're either doing it wrong or using really crappy boxes. Mine don't pull out without extreme prejudice. Stop installing junk.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

I removed the strain relief at 1:56? You do realize that is a “New Work” box and they just have punch outs no internal clamps. You just referred to a punch out as strain relief. There is no strain relief in most of the plastic boxes in your home. They are stapled to the trusses/studs. So no need to be in disbelief 😂

[@kamX-rz4uy]

Go to the company's site and see for yourself. You just push down the doors and the cable lays on top of it. It's not designed to hold the Romex in place.

[@Boozie50]

thanks for the video.your a big help

[@jameslewellen150]

Nice, good to know about this box.

[@jefferycarter1791]

Thanks brother you helped me forsure

[@RackATiers]

Thanks for the review!😎

[@csimet]

These are super useful for situations as you describe where a typical box would be installed and *is* accessible (as per code). I had a situation where a ceiling can light was to be removed, but it was the first one on the string of can lights I had in my kitchen and I could not run a new feed wire from the switch. A normal box like this one shown would not work since I'm covering the hole and it is not accessible above the ceiling, so I used another splice method that can be placed in an inaccessible location... an UL listed splice connector from NSI (model NMS-2). They are expensive for a piece of plastic at ~$20 each.

[@drewc3651]

That's awesome!

[@derekvazquez354]

nice looks like great time saver

[@craigconway4093]

As always, super great !

[@jonesgang]

I have spent countless hours in attics enclosing open splices. Most would require having to use 2 boxes and extra wire so there are no exposed wires, the outer jacket must be inside the box. This would have saved a crap load of time. Because attics are so much fun in the deep south during the summer months. Open splices is an extremely dangerous common practice for some people. They just want to get in and out of the attic as fast as they can, taking the quick and dirty approach and doing shoddy work. Most homeowners will never venture into their attic. And you are 100% correct about homeowners not knowing about open splices in their attic. The only time they would get found is via inspection or adding a circuit or troubleshooting a problem, that is when they get discovered. When found I would always emphasize how important it is to have all open splices enclosed without trying to scare the bejesus out of them. They would always give me the go ahead to do the extra work and get them enclosed when found.

[@davidkilby1043]

That is really awesome

[@vrr3256]

Hiya, GREAT Vids!! I REALLY wanted more info on making wiring connections & you did a fabulous job of showing me. Quick fix needed on your video link. The one that shows is how to replace a towel bar.

[@markk3652]

Simple and effective.

[@russellbarndt6579]

Wow, I both gave you a thumbs up and subscribed as I so appreciate you sharing this and have shared it with builders I have worked with

[@cbar842]

I feel like this is how junction boxes should all be designed regardless of open splices or new work. I like the idea of not feeding cable (esp 12 gauge) through the usual holes and pulling them through the box.

[@williamwelch7]

Thanks

[@duckyjp17]

What a brilliant invention

[@alexjones7845]

So, that looks like a good idea. However, if the previous person was foolish enough to leave an open splice in the first place, would you trust that they adequately created the connections? When I see something done wrong I will always open it up and redo properly every time because I want to be certain it is safe and reliable.

[@PatrickEArchuleta-fs8bv]

If a person thinks he knows but actually doesn't he shouldn't be working with electrical bottom line .may God continue to bless all electricians in safety and there lives anyone's life can be cut short in the twinkling of a eye so take some time to do things the way they should.

[@alec4672]

This thing would also be super nice to be able to tap onto a circuit mid run without having to get to an existing outlet box. I've added an outlet or light in the attic and such before where I probably would have had enough loose wire for this thing but not a normal box. Usually I end up with 2 boxes one for the tap and one with just a splice to lengthen the wire.

[@joelmollenkopf3767]

Excellent

[@danlee6712]

Good Job Brother

[@thissonedupuie3263]

Awesome content, Thank you .

[@HowToHomeDIY]

You are very welcome! Really glad to hear you liked it! Thanks a lot for the feedback!

[@rdmckeever7645]

Nice quick fix...

[@Brian-cr6rb]

That's stellar!

[@theobserver9131]

I have a few open splices I need to get back to.... That's a really cool solution! I was thinking you could also cut slots like that in a regular box.

[@parakart]

Perfect solution to the one open splice in my basement! Although it shows as currently unavailable through Amazon

[@michaelfarris2556]

Shockingly good vedio keep them coming.

[@Greg-pt7ur]

Important information.

[@SidebandSamurai]

Our local radio station, KFI has a show on the weekend called the "House Whisperer" Dean Sharp is the person who runs this show and he also runs his own home rebuilding business. A question came up about splicing wire and weather or not it could be done legally. the caller wanted to extend his wire about 6' to complete his project and did not want to re-run this wire because he was moving a fan more towards the center of the room. Dean mentioned about open splices and said it was against code. He said as long as you enclose the splice in a box you can have as many splices as you need in the wire to complete the project. This box is ingenious. He never mentioned this box probably because of the question posed to him, This box is very cool.

[@samuelt5131]

An excellent product. And about time!

[@deanstrickland7178]

love it!!!

[@ronniecardy]

Good idea

[@zoop2132]

Very cool.

[@xlrider1565]

That is a well designed, and useful new product! Question: My house was built in 1970, here in Honolulu, and it has aluminum wiring throughout. I want to splice an extra wire off of an existing outlet. Can I splice copper ROMEX type wiring directly onto aluminum wiring? If so, how do I do this safely? Mahalo(thank you)!

[@SlavkosHobbyChannel]

Great info, it is safer but it also looks clean and good!

[@davidcurrie5260]

Unless the product has a UL or ETL listing symbol it is NOT legal to use. If listed then a great device.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@davidcurrie5260 it is "designed to meet U.S. (U.L. 514C)." Which is the UL Standard for Safety Nonmetallic Outlet Boxes, Flush-Device Boxes, and Covers. It is MET listed. MET is another recognized safety lab like UL is. It can still be used and is legal to use.

[@davidcurrie5260]

@@HowToHomeDIY I can not speak for the U.S. authorities but in Canada "designed to meet" will not be accepted. Devices used for electrical work must have a legitimate marking such as a "ULc", "ETLc" or a CSA to be acceptable. (Even a UL mark without the small "c" is not acceptable. I am not criticizing the device as it appears to be a decent product, but if something bad or ugly happens any non approved or listed device will be open to suspicion.

[@HowToHomeDIY]

@@davidcurrie5260 Yeah I totally understand. It is MET listed and I went out to look at the box and on the inside of it where it says MET listed there is a US on one side and C on the other. It is my understand that MET is just another approved and recognized lab by both the US and Canadian governments.

[@davidcurrie5260]

@@HowToHomeDIY I have been involved with Standards Development in Canada for 25 years _Fire Alarm Monitoring and Intrusion Alarm Systems) and I have never heard of MET. But clearly based on your observation the MET symbol with a "US" and A "C" makes it 100 % legal to use in Canada. Good communicating with you and thanks for the replies.

[@jasonwright1494]

that open splice box instead of a junction is quite nice

[@justaperson8768]

Awesome!

[@brainfreeze1925]

Such a no-brainer...why did it take so long to create this? Thanks for the video.

[@ricknelson947]

This is a pretty handy product. I would use it. I know that you are trying to save attic exposure time, but since you are already there wouldn’t you recommend a quick inspection of the splicing itself? I would think that if there was any undetected resistance or corrosion inside a splice, moving it around could make it worse, or more dangerous.

[@76MUTiger]

What do you think of lever wire connectors as an alternative to wire nuts?

[@REKlaus]

Watched a few of your videos and you give some good info. Now here is a challenge for you: Many houses built in the 1970's have aluminum wire used in them, not the new copper coated wire of today but actual solid aluminum. The problem occurs when a DIYer needs to replace a light fixture, switch or outlet. Switches and outlets need to be designed and rated for use with aluminum wire and those can still be found at most big box stores. But light fixtures come with copper wire preinstalled and connecting aluminum wires and copper wires take special connectors. How about a video on this for those who own houses with old style aluminum wire.

[@JoeSchmoe7]

Because dealing with solid strand aluminum wiring in a mid-60's to mid-70's home is not a DIY situation in any circumstance. All wiring work must be performed by a qualified licensed electrician using special connectors and a special crimping device that basically creates a cold-weld connection. If your home has not been professionally evaluated and retrofit, you should have that done. It's so important that many insurance companies will not insure homes that have not been corrected once they become aware. I realize this is an old post, but this is important info.

[@HeyChickens]

Nice cool little new product there!

[@Watchyn_Yarwood]

Thought I found similar under different brand on Home Depot but they are out of stock! You make a great salesman!

[@HowToHomeDIY]

If only someone would pay me for it then 😂

[@zman5015]

Love It!

[@user-sd1il8rq2l]

🎉 I'm a big Rak A Tiers fan with great interest in new products

[@HowToHomeDIY]

Cool!

[@nvwlsnvwls2785]

Nice!!!

[@douglasdever6134]

Nice.

[@jasonsouliere703]

Wow look how lucky you were to have the regulation 6” of wire left after adding the box! I will be grabbing a few of those Open Splice devices.