Common Splices and Joints

• Western Union Splice - small, solid, conductors
• Rattail Joint - used in a junction box for connecting branch circuits. Wiring that is installed in buildings is usually placed inside long lengths of steel and aluminum pipe called a conduit
• Fixture Joint - used to connect small-diameter wire, such as in a lighting fixture, to a larger diameter wire used in a branch circuit
• Knotted Tap Joint - used where the splice is subject to strain or slippage
• Underwriter's Knot - particular way of trying an electrical cord in order too prevent it from being disconnected from its socket if it is pulled too tightly
• Puncturing - small hole or wound made by a sharp object
• Splice - joining or junction of two pieces of timber, spar, etc., by overlapping and fastening the ends
• Slippage - a loss of power or forward motion caused by the slipping of a mechanical part
• Plug - connection at the end of the wire that allow it to fit into the socket of a power supply
• Insulation - material that prevents or reduces the passage of heat, electricity, or sound
• Rat Tail - also known as Pig Tail. This kind of joint is commonly used to join two or more conductors the inside junction box. It is suitable for service where there is no mechanical stress when wires are to be connected in an outlet box, switch, or conduit fitting.
• Knotted Tap - This is used where the tapware is under heavy tensile stress.
• Y-splice - method of wrapping is generally used on small cables because the strands are flexible, and all can be wrapped in one operation.
• Plain Tap Joint - This is used where the tap wire is under considerable tensile stress circuit.
• Ariel Tap - This is used as a temporary tap usually done in constructions sites. The easy twist will facilitate tap wire movement.
• Duplex cross joint - This is a two-tapware tumed simultaneously and is used where the two tap wire is under heavy tensile stress.
• Western Union Short-tie Splice - This is the most widely used splice or joint in interior wiring installation to extend the length of wire from one point to another.
• Western Union Long Tie - This is used extensively for outside wiring to extend the length of wire from one end to another.
• Cross joint - The same application is done as in plain tap and the only difference is that this tap is a combination of two plain taps place side by side with each other.
• Wrapped Tap - also known as Tee Joint. This is used on large solid conductors where itis difficult to wrap the heavy tap wire around the main wire.
• Rat Tail or Pig Tail

  
• Y-splice

  
• Knotted tap

  
• Plain tap joint

  
• Ariel tap

  
• Duplex cross joint

  
• Western Union Short-tie Splice

  
• Western Union Long Tie

  
• Cross joint

  
• Wrapped Tap or Tee Joint

  
• Strippers - will only strip about 3/4 inch at one time
• when the hand strippers are used to remove the lengths of insulation longer than 3/4 inch, the stripping procedure must be done in two or more operations
• you can easily strip off the insulation of small solid-core wires from sizes #18 to #10 using wire strippers or the graduated wire stripper jaws on a multipurpose tool
• wiring devices - splitting, stripping, and ripping are done
• rough wiring - wires and cable are cut to length
• conduit - long lengths of steel or aluminum pipe
• lineman's plier or diagonal cutters - cutting wires or cable to length simply requires
• joining wires incorrectly or without proper insulation can make the joint overheat resulting in a potentially deadly fire