How to Join Wires with a Wire Connector

●  Ensure power is off and test for power. 

●  Grasp the wires to be joined in the jaws of a pair of linesman’s pliers. 

●  The ends of the wires should be flush and they should be parallel and touching. 

●  Rotate the pliers clockwise two or three turns to twist the wire ends together.

●  Twist a wire connector over the ends of the wires. 

●  Make sure the connector is the right size. 

●  Hand-twist the connector as far onto the wires as you can. 

●  There should be no bare wire exposed beneath the collar of the connector.

●  Do not overtighten the connector.

*Option: 

●  Reinforce the joint by wrapping it with electrician’s tape. 

●  By code, you cannot bind the wire joint with tape only, but it can be used as insurance. 

●  Few professional electricians use tape for purposes other than tagging wires for identification.

*Option: 

●  Strip 3⁄4" of insulation off the ends of the wires to be joined, and insert each wire into a push-in connector. 

●  Gently tug on each wire to make sure it is secure.