How to Extend Short Cables: Simple DIY Fix
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 7 พ.ค. 2024
- How to extend short cables in a socket in UK home electrics using Wago and IDEAL brand connectors.
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#electrician
#electrical
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Keep up the excellent work and no need to be camera shy 😂
Thanks for watching!
Great video - very simple instructions. You're gonna do well on TH-cam - just keep up the momentum!
Thank you!
Thanks for the decent easy advice in methods and explanation. I've just subscribed.
Thank you, very appreciated!!
Good practical advice, thank you.
Glad it was helpful, thanks for watching!
Was oulling my hair iut until i saw this trying ti do a socket the cabke kept coming out i didnt know what to do and didnt realise it was that simple thanks for the tip dude 😉
You’re very welcome, thanks for watching!!
To remove the Ideal connectors, pull with slight pressure while rotating. This will "unscrew" the wire from the connector. Only works with solid core. And I believe the connector is rated for reuse, but sometimes it feels a bit dodgy like it is now loose inside and I don't want to reuse it.
Thanks for the tip! Yes, reusing them doesn’t really feel right.
Nice - I having thought about this I would first connect the "extension" wires into the socket and then fit to the Wagos in the back box - a lot less fiddly not so awkward.
Yep definitely the quickest way, thanks for watching!
Do the Wago connectors have to be in the back box? If space is tight and plastering work is being carried out can they be chased into the wall? Maybe taped with insulating tape first?
I think they do need to be in the box, otherwise you have single insulated cables outside enclosure. If space is tight, try the in line wagos or in line ideal connectors. Alternatively sink a deeper box in the wall. Thanks for watching!
Of course it depends on the country, but wire nuts are commonly used and legal in North America and some parts of Europe. I just extended a really short length coming from a gang box to have more wire to work with, and I used wire nuts. It’s my understanding that much of Europe banned earlier versions with brittle ceramic caps, but might not have adapted to modern plastic caps that are typically rated for 300 or 600V.
I guess it’s ironic that Ideal is an American company that does a lot of business in Europe, although WAGO is German. Ideal also has their In-Sure Lever, which is similar to WAGO.
Good points! Thanks for watching!
Saw comments about screw connectors vs Wago etc. It appears that Wago are considered 'maintenance free' and as such less likely to come loose. 50hz will affect screws over time. Unless 'maintenance free' all connections must be accessible. Great stuff BTW
Thank you!!
I have 2 sockets where the cables are too short. Both of these have 3 brown, 3 blue and 3 earth going to the back of socket. Question is can I connect all of one colour wires to a Wago 222, 5 port and then add a fly lead to connect to socket?
It’s not ideal, but I guess it would be like having the socket as a spur effectively. Someone here probably knows better than me and will be able to answer for you.
What are your opinions on the crimp type connectors, I know they need a tool to fit but if you want to remove them you only lose 6mm length from the original cable?
Not a fan of crimps personally. If you use a wago, they are easily removed without losing any cable. Thanks for watching!
What about using standard inline CRIMPS, which would provide a smaller footprint (and less bulky than WAGOs, etc as you demo)?
I didn’t include them as you need an additional tool, so i thought not as useful for a DIYer. Thanks for watching!
I'm an industrial sparky , Inline crimps are fine as long as you have the proper ratchet tool to assure correct crimp pressure.... having said that they're no where near as robust as wago....the wago's have been a real game changer and I don't know a sparkie who doesn't use them in preference to almost any other connectors.
What about using standard inline CRIMPS, which would provide a smaller footprint (and less bulky than WAGOs, etc)?
I didn’t include them as you need an additional tool, so i thought not as useful for a DIYer. Thanks for watching!
hi what would you do if you wanted to extend a light switch about 1 meter from the existing one its nthe wiring needs to be implanted in the wall.
You’ll need to joint the cable in the wall, if you just put a blanking plate on the current one that’s the easiest way as still accessible. Have a look at Quinetic switches, they are wireless, generally much easier to use one of these
This is all very nice and easy if you have tons of space like here. I usually get this in a single recessed socket outlet box where there's very little maneuvering room, and such bulky connectors are out of the question. I bet these particular ones are ridiculously expensive too.
True a 1 gang 25mm box will be hard work. You could always upgrade it to a double though and give yourself the extra space.
Is it okay to put 2 neutrals in wago and extend with just one cable out? I was working on socket and saw 2 neutral cables were damaged with visible copper so I decided to cut them short and put into wago and extend with one out. The circut is Radial and that specific socket was second last in the circut, the last one was just above the one I was working on. I was thinking the other day that I maybe should extend with 2 sperate cables instead of puting 2 damaged in wago and extend with one. This bothers me ...
Probably best extending both into the socket, but i wouldn’t have thought what you’ve done is a problem. It sounds like you’ve effectively just spurred that socket off the circuit
I am not sure of the lifespan of these receptacle but they are sure looks better and more functional then our North American standard receptacle.
UK plugs and sockets are the best! Thanks for watching!
With the wago ,you can extend with stranded wire also , 2,5 mm stranded must be used ,
Thanks for watching!
I would guard that with a 10 amp MCB ...even just a 5; - and in a real install it would need ceremonies with that intumiscent goo where the cable enters the box for SURE!
Thanks for watching!
What if you have three pairs of cable to extend going into a single switch spur?
Same solution, but you might have a hard time fitting all the connectors in the back box. If this is an issue, you can get spacers that bring the face plate off the front to give you more space. Thanks for watching!
Another solid option is non-insulated butt crimp, if permitted by local code. Investment-heavy, though.
Yes good point, i didn’t include it was it wouldn’t be worth most DIYers buying the crimping tool. Thanks for watching!
Yes good point, i didn’t include it was it wouldn’t be worth most DIYers buying the crimping tool. Thanks for watching!
I had this problem and used a connection block , wether it will melt when running the lazy spa in the summer I have no idea lol
Thanks for watching!
What if there's a ring main?
Same solution, you just extend both the cables into the socket still. Thanks for watching!
Does the damaged sheath from the strippers matter? Not trying to troll I'm hoping for a genuine answer from someone that knows
The strippers just mark the cable really, no actual damage, so nothing to worry about in my opinion.
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759 cool thanks
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759 What do you consider actual damage? Bare copper showing?
"quite ugly". I can see how that is an important consideration...
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure…
why is soldering not considered an option?
You’re right it is an option, but I wouldn’t consider it an easy DIYer option as you need a soldering iron, so didn’t include it. Thanks for watching!
Right now do same again but put another 2.5mm twin in there and try to screw the socket back all the way
As long as your using a socket designed for a 25mm backbox, you’ll be fine
Its a nightmare try screwing a socket cover back when there are 6 x 32amp connectors jammed inside the backbox because somebody cut the cables short
Using a plastic socket, with what appears to fixed lugs, why use a fly lead?
Only one lug fixed, which whilst the regs say desired, I think it is best practice. Thanks for watching!
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759i always say why not when my fellow colleagues say this this.
Future proofing .
Thru crimps are what I would use here but maybe this is better for diyer. Much simpler
Thanks for watching. Yes i didn’t include crimps as you need a special tool, so not as suitable for a DIYer.
I think crimp connectors are also ggod
Only reason i didn’t include them was the additional tool needed, so not always the best for a DIYer. Thanks for watching!
Just buy a wire stretcher down in screwfix
😂
Wago
Thanks for watching
Personally my self not a good idea to join a very short wire inside sockect box best to run new wire from 1 sockect to another
Yep agreed, as long as running a new came is an option. In the UK cables are often buried in masonry walls, so running a new cable can make a lot of mess.
Thanks for watching!!
Just don't expect to install a USB socket into a 25mm backbox If you extend the cables on the backbox too! 🤣
Agreed haha, probably best to fit 35mm boxes these days
Plenty usbs fit 25mm now 👍
It's been said that using the backstabbers isn't a very reliable installation, because over time it my come loose, whereas a tight screw would be more secure.
Thanks for watching!
wrong, you're supposed to use insulated butt connector (WITH THE PROPER CRIMPER TOOL FOR IT, NOT PLIERS) (I didn't make the name) I'd give a link but youtube automatically shadow bans the comment
No, when inside an enclosure, I’m correct
Not so easy with two or three cables.entering
Yep you are right, hopefully they haven’t all been cut short though and the box is of sufficient depth to give space. Thanks for watching!
I have to say I cringe at the sight of those Wago abominations! A few years ago, ‘professional electricians’ used them on a multi-compartment fuel tank installation on a hospital job I was working on. It cost me a long drive and a full day to identify the faults which resulted in ripping them out and replacing them with something reliable!
I think wagos are great. Thanks for watching!
Avoid using the connector where you just push the wire in and your connection is made , That kind of connector can easily overheat and can start a fire because there is very little contact area compared to the Wago connectors which have much better contact area
The Wago connectors are more safe because of the lock lever which clamps onto the wire , Providing better contact than the push in connector ,
Whenever I have to make an extension for short wires , if there's enough room , I'll strip a good amount of insulation from the wire to give me enough length to wind the extension wire onto the existing wire , After winding the extension wire onto the existing wire , Then I'll snip off any excess wire
Then solder it , Then use splicing tape
With splicing tape you have to stretch it as you apply it , Then wrap it with a top coat of electrical tape to keep it from unraveling and the electrical tape sticks really good to the splicing tape which will not come off over time , for the top coat , just wrap it enough to cover the splicing tape
You can also use heat shrink tubing
But whenever I use heat shrink tubing
I'll use several layers of it to ensure good insulation , if the wire that you're extending happens to be stranded , You can use butt connectors that you crimp on but be sure you use the proper crimping tool
Thanks for watching!
Testing shows that the axact opposite is true. Wago connectors have higher resistance than push ins and far higher something like 3 to 4 times the resistance of twist on wire connectors.
@@johnh8546 it is so small it is negligible. A true bad connection will be a worse scenario.
@Paul Matthews the resistance is pretty small sure but the additional heat from the resistance at 15 plus amps is not negligible. Over 20 years that is a great deal of additional thermo cycling.
@guywilkinson is that 1.3 Celsius was that on a 240 system. That's not that much to go on. How hot was the wire? That's so little data as to be completely useless.
If you can't cut the cabes the correct length in the first place,you should not be involved with electrical work.
Easily done, I’ve seen qualified electricians cut them too short in new builds.
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759 Oh yeh you mean the ones on there phone social media half the day
As a handyman I've come across lots of single sockets where I've been asked to replace them with doubles but the original wires are too short for the socket I'm fitting. Many older sockets have the holes at the bottom whereas modern ones have the holes in the top, so if the cable comes into the back box from below there's no way the wires are long enough. That's the usual reason for having to extend the wires, in my experience.
@@colin5064 More likely wanking
No mention of current carrying capacity, or wire csa. I can see you are creating these video’s to help, but unfortunately electrical work should be left to a competent Electrician, you can see water, you can smell gas. But the only sense that will save you from Electricity is Common sense.
I don’t think current capacity is relevant for this video. The assumption is you have an existing socket, not adding a new one. All the connectors I suggested are sufficiently rated for use in a socket.
I’ve seen plenty of shoddy work from qualified electricians. And gas is arguably more dangerous, you can’t smell CO….
Thank you for watching.
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759 please tell me how current carrying capacity is not relevant ? especially if its a ring main ( and yes i appreciate your demonstration there is not showing a ring main but most sockets are wired in the uk in a ring main fashion ) either way current capacity is very relevant
Don't try and teach electrical if you are a DIYer pal. Simple. Lever wagos are also definitely not the best solution here.
@The Diligent DIYer Absolutely. You are going to get whinging from the 'professional electricians' who think what they do is rocket science. Rise above it and keep doing what you're doing.
No disrespect to your channel, but the real pros won't be watching DIYer electrical content 🤭
You will always get moaning sparks even moaning when it’s a pro sparky doing the video. Best to ignore.
Don't JUST DON'T EXTEND WIRE IN THE WALL! ALWAYS MOVE THE SOCKET UPPER OR DOWNWARDS...LEFT OR RIGHT... JUST DON'T EXTEND WIRE!
Thanks for sharing your opinion
0:54 - they just twist off.
Thank you!
Could of used the 2mm earth sleeving this stuff just looks crap
Fair comment haha, just what was in the tool box
@@TheDiligentDIYer1759 other than that spot on haha sorry