How to Extend Wires in Receptacle Box?
#1
05-16-11, 07:08 PM
How to Extend Wires in Receptacle Box?
I am replacing the receptacles in my house. What I am finding is that some of the wires in the boxes are too short to reliably and securely reinstall the new outlets, even with back stab receptacles (I can get the wires in the back of the outlet but cannot get to the screws on the sides to tighten them). Is there a safe, legit way to extend these wires, or am I looking at some plaster work in my future?
#2
05-16-11, 07:58 PM
Group Moderator
I suggest avoiding using the back stabs. Add pigtails (short pieces of wire) to the screws and then get some push on connectors made by Ideal or Wago. In-Sure™ Push-In Wire Connectors or WAGO Corporation - Products - Terminal Blocks and Connectors - Installation Terminal Blocks
Connect them to your pigtails and then connect the pigtails to the existing wires.
Connect them to your pigtails and then connect the pigtails to the existing wires.
#3
05-16-11, 08:10 PM
Following up on Tolyn's suggestion if you have two sets of wires pigtail both blacks to one pigtail and do the same with the whites. That will reduce the number of connectors needed and give a bit more room in the box. If you do go with wirenuts instead of Wagos you can do it with wirenuts that have built-in pigtails.
#4
05-17-11, 03:00 AM
If your house is not that old you may find that there was some slack left in the romex behind the box. Not sure about all regions, but in some areas leaving some slack has been a required practice for over lots of years.
#5
05-17-11, 01:05 PM
Member
I think the termanuts ray posted are best, and there are also backwire receptacles which work great, too. Avoid the wagos.
#6
05-19-11, 12:53 PM
thank you all for the helpful suggestions. In the end, I pulled the drywall to reinsulate and moved the box to get the wire I needed (as well as some slack for the future). thanks again
