Splicing Electrical Wire : Western Union Splice (Lineman's Splice)

Splicing electrical wiring is relatively simple. The most common splice is the Western Union splice that dates back to the time of telegraph. We'll be making that splice and then sealing the connection with heat shrink tape to seal the connection.

Klein Wire Strippers -

[Downhaven]

I really love the practical skills you've been sharing, thank you again.
Been building for a few years now, but i have such a neophyte education when it comes to anything wiring related.

[mytuberforyou]

Match solder, which is more or less straight bismuth, can be used with that zippo, and mandatory for some applications (NASA spec, etc.) It prevents oxides from forming on the wires and creating resistance in the splice, or eventually causing the splice to fail.

[RussellTeapot]

Thanks for the crystal clear explanation, I tried it and considering it was the first one the result was not bad. Only problem is that I didn't twist it very well, so some strands are poking against the heat shrink. But I guess it takes a fair amount of practice to do it properly: fortunately I just scanveged an old bipolar cable and I'm using it to practice wire stripping, I might as well practice on splicing it

[dwaynes]

nice video. I always use three layers of tubing. short, longer and the longest.

[stighenningjohansen]

I heat the wires at he right place for a short time with a lighter, and strips the insulation off with my hand, no chance of hurting the conductors,
and fast, and use heat shrink tubes with glue inside to seal the splice off from humidity

[relaxeful]

Great video, is solder a better option for connection or not worth the extra work?

[katana]

in high school i was told not to twist the wires before splicing them, better to keep them flat and then splice normally, that way they keep consistent diameter

[uiopuiop]

Thanks for the splice, this will be really useful in the future! Any information on the currents it can withstand?

[Sparkjumper]

When I was taught this splice it was soldered

[telegraph_hill]

Hi Ben, I’m looking at the Klein 12054 and 12055. Any significant difference between them? Aha! Looks like the ‘54 is for larger gauge wire 8 awg vs 10awg. Confusing. I really enjoy your videos, especially these practical skills. I mainly work with hobby electronics (5 and 12v) but I occasionally work with household 120v. I have a trusty Klein katapult stripper that has pride of place on my messy work table.

[allanhmelnitski]

NASA or not but the CORRECT METHOD of splicing like that is to cross the wires to the other sides after the first few wraps, and then wrap to the ends. Make first wraps, bring the ends over across the wrap, and finish to the ends. It locks them and you cant pull them apart.

[moemensultan]

Hello Ben, could you please make more how to vids (especially with rusted bolts and equipment).This would be very useful . Thank you

[jaysnyder]

Quality set of strippers? ROFL. DeKlein happened. Knipex for the win

[fatbelly]

ive always did this ..i didnt even know it had a name...

[Sparkjumper]

What’s the difference between a Hippo and a Zippo?

[anakalamaui]

big issue I see with this demo. the uninitiated splicing the hot wire to the neutral.. I know folks that would follow this straight away and trip breakers and melt wire .

[erwinabelmann]

Better You use the shrink tube with glue for stable

[Synthematix]

Solder is actually a pretty horrible conductor compared to copper so doing solderless joints is the best way

[Poligamia]

This is banned in the EU for a good reason.