How to Splice Into an Existing Electric Circuit
Many home improvement projects will involve having to splice into an existing circuit to put in a new light fixture, perhaps some electrical outlets in a room that doesn’t have enough already or whatever you are doing requiring more electricity. This can be done but you should make certain first it is done to local codes.
Items required to do this:
- Electrical tape
- Wire cutter and stripper
- Utility knife
- Screwdrivers
- Electrical pliers
- Wire connectors (caps)
- Non-contact voltage tester
- Romex cable
- Determine where you are going to splice into the current system. Most codes require splices be made in an electrical box, outlet box or a junction box. If there is not a box present, you will have to install one. (The new electrical box must also be accessible. It cannot be hidden.)
- Go to your main service panel and turn off the breaker to the circuit you are splicing into. Be sure no one else will turn it back on as you work on the circuit.
- Make certain you have the correct circuit off with your non-contact voltage probe. Turn it on and put it close to the cable where you will be working. If the power is off it will do nothing. It will however beep and blink if there is still power indicating you have turned off the wrong circuit.
- Take off the cover of the box you are placing the splice into and push your new cable in. Give yourself enough cable to work with. With the utility knife, remove about 1 inch of the outer insulation from the end. Separate the white, black and copper wires. As before strip the insulation about 1 inch from the ends.
- Take the wires by color and attach them to the same colored wires in the existing circuit. Do this by taking the electricians pliers and twist them together tightly with a right hand twist. Once done place a wire nut on the wires and screw it on hard. Do the same with the bare copper wires.
- Place the cover back onto the box and turn your circuit back on. You should now have a new electrical circuit.