Extending wires

[KenMcCulloch]

In the forthcoming upgrade of Fingal’s electrical distribution arrangements, it may be necessary to extend a number of the supply cables by 200mm or so. There seem to be three main methods that seem suitable. Solder the two ends together and cover with heatshrink; crimped joints, or, those little tubes of heatshrink with a blob of solder in the middle. Suggestions and recommendations please?

 

[prv]

Any of those are fine. As long as you have half-decent kit (both the crimps and the tool) then butt crimps will be quickest and easiest. I would then cover them with adhesive heatshrink just to be a little neater and more robust.

Pete

 

[lpdsn]

I mainly use the heatshrink butt connectors. They work well except for very thin cable (i.e. NMEA connections) where even with reds the glue filled heatshrink doesn't get a brilliant hold.

+1 for prv's advice re tools. You can get a far better job done with the right tools.

 

[penberth3]

If you've got enough room, another option is to bring your existing wires into a junction box and take new wires from there.

 

[prv]

If you've got enough room, another option is to bring your existing wires into a junction box and take new wires from there.

True, though that simply brings up the question of what kind of connectors to use inside a junction box

Pete

 

[superheat6k]

The option I use is AMP straight male / female pin connectors, again with shrink wrap, then if there are several cores a larger size covering the whole group.

 

[Hadenough]

True, though that simply brings up the question of what kind of connectors to use inside a junction box

Pete

Simple - ring terminals.

 

[Spuddy]

I would have used soldered joints covered with adhesive heatshrink but I've now been converted to Wago connectors. So quick, easy and quite cheap. No more soldering iron in confined spaces - ouch