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Is there a way without using junction boxes to simply splice in additional length of 12/2 NM-B cable? Can I use twist caps?

I'm putting in a dog door and as it so happens, there is some 12/2 right in the way of the location I've chosen. There's no additional slack in the cable, and I don't want to rip up more drywall than I have to. I'm tempted to just cut it and splice in an additional foot or two with twist caps to get it out of the way. I don't know if this is safe or legal. Do I need to get junction boxes? Attached some pictures for fun.

Also, there is a 1-gang electrical outlet box that is going to the outside. I'm moving that up a bit.

View of the hole with the NM-B in the upper left Close up of the cable

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  • Since this is an inside view, and the blue box faces the opposite, and the project is a doggy door, I assume that blue box is an outside outlet. Will you be moving that, too? Maybe to above the new door? So where does the existing NM run? To that inside outlet? Could it be rerouted without splicing?
    – Skaperen
    Commented Dec 29, 2011 at 23:29

9 Answers 9

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Tyco makes NM splices which are concealable and acceptable under NEC for use for rewiring in an existing building.

NM Cable Splices

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NEC 2008

334.40 Boxes and Fittings.

(B) Devices of Insulating Material. Switch, outlet, and tap devices of insulating material shall be permitted to be used without boxes in exposed cable wiring and for rewiring in existing buildings where the cable is concealed and fished. Openings in such devices shall form a close fit around the outer covering of the cable, and the device shall fully enclose the part of the cable from which any part of the covering has been removed. Where connections to conductors are by binding-screw terminals, there shall be available as many terminals as conductors.

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  • What NEC article allows these to be used? If you are going to say they are acceptable under NEC, please quote the article from NEC.
    – Tester101
    Commented Dec 28, 2011 at 15:47
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    The provided link states: Meets requirements of National Electrical Code, Articles 545, 550, 551, if that's what you're looking for.
    – JoeFish
    Commented Dec 28, 2011 at 21:21
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    As a note. NEC permits these "for rewiring in existing buildings where the cable is concealed and fished.". So they can only be used where a cable is not concealed, or concealed and not permanently attached to the structural members. Also note, this only applies to Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable.
    – Tester101
    Commented Feb 11, 2013 at 20:05
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    These no longer seem to be widely available. Have they been superseded by a newer equivalent like a Wagobox?
    – erickson
    Commented Jun 2, 2021 at 4:58
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    For posterity, here is Tester101’s updated write-up on exactly these connectors that provides an excellent summary: diy.stackexchange.com/q/89945/36011
    – statueuphemism
    Commented Dec 26, 2021 at 16:44
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The NEC says that all electrical junctions have to be accessible (and your profile indicates that you're either in Nevada or New Mexico, both of which have adopted the NEC), so you can't legally hide a junction behind the wall.

Probably the easiest route for you would be to install a retrofit gang box to the left of the stud with the other gang box (if there's room, it's hard to tell from the photographs), run the existing wire into it, then run a new, longer, wire from the gang box to the receptacle. Connect the two wires with electrical nuts, and finally, cover the gang box with a blank cover plate.

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  • absolutely correct!!! UMM what is in the blue J-box on back side of the wall??? possible junction location for an extension wire???
    – shirlock homes
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 4:24
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    @shirlock: Can you have two unrelated circuits in a single gang box? I thought you had to have a double box, with the wiring for each circuit separated by an insulating divider: am I mistaken?
    – Niall C. ♦
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 5:01
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    I know in commercial settings you have to clearly indicate on the outside of a box "Caution: This equipment is supplied by more than one power source". I'm not sure if this is needed in residential settings or not. Some quick searches don't come up with anything saying you can't do it though (I haven't checked NEC/CEC myself though).
    – gregmac
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 6:32
  • @shirlock @niall: i'm curious about the answer to that question too because that was the route i was leaning toward. Change the outdoor gang box to a double box and run a new length of NM-B to the indoor outlet..
    – snicker
    Commented Feb 7, 2011 at 18:24
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Splices have to be in a box, and there must be access to the box. Niall C., above, has it right. While you are at it, buy some plastic staples made for NM-B cable. The metal staple shown in your picture is asking for trouble.

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I don't know about the legality of not using them where you are, but I'd always use junction boxes for this sort of thing if only for the safety aspect.

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There are a couple of reasons why electrical codes insist that connections are always inside a box, and that the box is always accessible.

1) The likelihood of a failure inside the cable itself is vanishingly small. Any failures will almost certainly be at connections, and you need access to correct them.

2) Any connection is liable to have more resistance than the cable itself. If the connection is poor enough, this could generate enough heat to create a hazard. Arcing is also a possibility. Containing connections in a fire resistant box makes the entire system safer.

Splicing wires together and hiding that splice inside a wall is not safe practice and is generally prohibited. Local code always override national codes, and you should check yours. As far as I know, the exceptions mentioned in kkeilman's answer are not allowed in my jurisdiction.

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    Can you cite your local code re: what prohbits 334.40(B) there? Or are you in a jurisdiction that prohibits NM generally?
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Jan 14, 2018 at 1:09
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You asked two questions, the first of which has been fully answered (is it acceptable for code).

The second question was about safety. Speaking as an electrical engineer, a proper splice is perfectly safe. This could be accomplished with soldering and shrink wrap, correct use of twist-on caps with proper strain relief, or a variety of other splicing techniques. The problem is too many people don't splice correctly, so code does not allow splicing (proper or otherwise) -- unless it is dummy-proof like the approved devices.

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    Part of the deal is that the integrated NM splices not only splice and insulate the conductors, but clamp the cable jackets as well, so that mechanical strains on the cable are transmitted via the insulated body of the splice instead of via the actual contact means inside.
    – ThreePhaseEel
    Commented Jan 3, 2020 at 4:38
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These aren't dummy-proof enough for concealing except in extremely limited situations, that do not include J-boxless cable extensions. Look up 334.40(B). The permission in 2008 version (here copied from upthread) is for "exposed cable wiring and for rewiring in existing buildings where the cable is concealed and fished". The word And before Fished is not a drafting mistake. Changed and clarified in 2014: the word rewire is replaced by repair. Same in 2017. This is discussed at length in an Inspectors Association magazine: https://iaeimagazine.org/magazine/features/enter-the-nonmetallic-sheathed-cable-interconnector/

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  • Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. Thanks for the answer; keep 'em coming. And, you should probably take our tour so you'll know the details of contributing here.
    – Daniel Griscom
    Commented Jun 25, 2020 at 20:45
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Tyco and other similar types of the push-together connectors ARE legal to use according to NEC. I’m not saying they are the safest, but they are legal to cover in a wall if you are retrofitting an existing NM cable. Not that I agree, but it’s legal!

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  • 3
    Quoting the relevant NEC codes would make this answer better
    – Machavity
    Commented Jan 15, 2018 at 13:28
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These are used in timber frame homes by Benson homes all over the country. First time I saw them was on a show about Timber frame prewired SIPS they were used between panels that were factory prewired new construction.

NEC compliant - article 334-40b, 2005 and 2008 NEC UL and CSA listed

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    Welcome to Home Improvement. What are "These"? If you'll take the tour, you'll note that this place is a bit different than others. We like answers that are complete and stand alone. You might be referring to the answer that was last in the list when you typed it, but answers can be sorted by the number of votes, or the date they were provided, so your sort order may be different than mine, especially after an answer gets more votes. Please edit your post to provide more clarity.
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    Commented Jan 20, 2022 at 14:55

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