An electrician is joining two solid copper conductors to form a pigtail splice using standard electrical hand tools. What is the correct sequence of steps to complete this connection?
- 1Strip approximately 3/4 inch of insulation from the end of each conductor using wire strippers.
- 2Align the bare conductor ends parallel to each other and grip them firmly with lineworker pliers.
- 3Twist the conductors together clockwise using the pliers until they form a tight, uniform spiral.
- 4Trim the tip of the twisted splice flush using the cutting blades of the pliers.
- 5Thread a twist-on wire connector clockwise over the exposed splice until it is firmly secured.
Answer
The correct sequence is: Strip the insulation with wire strippers, align the bare ends with lineworker pliers, twist the conductors clockwise into a tight spiral, trim the twisted tips flush with the plier cutting blades, and thread a twist-on wire connector over the splice.
The correct procedure begins with stripping the outer insulation to expose clean copper. The bare ends are then aligned and twisted clockwise with lineworker pliers to establish a secure mechanical bond. Trimming any uneven ends ensures the splice fits fully inside the twist-on wire connector, which is screwed on last to provide electrical insulation.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Proper operational procedure for creating a mechanical pigtail wire splice using hand tools
Estimated Time:45s