How to Connect Wires With an Electrical Pigtail

When it comes to DIY electrical projects, safety is paramount. As with any other electrical repair, the first step in making a pigtail connector is to ensure that all power has been cut from the circuit you’re working with. Don’t chance it; after flipping the switch on your service panel, use a simple non-contact circuit tester to confirm that the flow has really stopped. All you need to do is bring the sensor on your tester to each one of your circuit wires; if it lights up while touching any one of them, the circuit power is still on.

You can cut the lengths needed for your pigtail connection from any scrap cable of the same color and gauge as the circuit wires. It’s very important to match the gauge so that you don’t exceed the maximum ampacity and to match the colors of the PVC casing on the electrical wires so that you’re not mixing neutral wires (white), ground wires (green or unsheathed copper), and live wires (red or black). 

With the wire cutter, cut your three pigtail lengths. For safety, and to stay in line with the National Electrical Code, each wire used in a pigtail must be a minimum six inches long. Use your wire stripper to cut back three-quarters-of-an-inch of the insulating PVC. On some devices, you can find a strip gauge that will show you the exact length to strip back.

With needle-nose pliers, loop one bare copper end of the wire, moving in a clockwise direction, around the device’s screw terminal. Even if your switch includes a push-in wire connection, opt for the screw terminal to ensure a secure, long-term connection. Using a screwdriver, tighten the screw until it’s secure, with the exposed wire wrapped snugly around the screw shaft, leaving no bare copper visible.

After one end of the pigtail has been connected to your device, use lineman’s pliers to twist together the bare end of the pigtail wires with the circuit wires, turning in a clockwise direction. Once secure, screw on your wire nut, once again moving clockwise. Confirm that no bare wire remains exposed and tug each end of the wire to make sure the connection is secure.

Once the connection has been made, tuck any slack wires into the receptacle, and secure your device in its place. Re-mount the cover plate and secure any screws that had been removed. Then turn the circuit power back on and test your device.