Home > categories > Electrical Equipment & Supplies > Electrical Wires > How do I split electrical wire?
Question:

How do I split electrical wire?

Basically I've got 1 ceiling light in the hallway but I want two. How do I split the 3 wires from the Original light to get them to connect to the 2nd light. I have the relevant wire just no idea how to split

Answer:

Without training and experience, with someone who actually knows how to do this stuff, you cannot safely and properly do what you're asking. There are literally dozens of different things you need to know, including what the existing wires are connected to, whether they were done properly, how to make sure the circuit is dead (assuming you don't want to find out the hard way), what size and type of wire you need, how to cut and strip the wires properly, how to install and fasten the new wiring in place, what kind of box and clamps you need, what size wire nuts, how much wire to leave sticking out, not to mention whether you need a permit and inspection for your work and whether your fire insurance will actually still cover you if something goes wrong
Sorry but if you have to ask this question you shouldn't be messing with the electrical circuits. Do it wrong and it can kill or start a fire.
The first thing you need is enough of an education about electricity and house wiring to do the work safely. Go to the local library and get a D I Y book on basic home wiring, read it and understand it before you go any further. This is a very basic undertaking but until you have more knowledge about electricity you are too dangerous to allow near the project.
Probably you have three wires coming off the light fixture and connecting to three electrical wires (black, white, bare copper) in a plastic box in the ceiling with wire nuts. Remove the wire nuts and you just need to splice in new cable, matching the wire colors. You may need to get bigger wire nuts as you will now be covering a splice of 3 wires instead of two. If multiple switches control this light, you'll have a 4th wire in the mix. Run the new cable out of the box into the attic and over to where you want the new light. Cut out the hole in the ceiling, install another box, and attach the wires to the new fixture, again by matching the colors. Jim W is right in that you should do a little research (you'll find plenty on the internet) on basic wiring principles. Make sure the new wire is the same gauge as the existing with to the existing fixture. Always make all connections inside a box. Use wire nuts on all connections.

Share to: