People experienced with outdoor home wiring.?

Question

I have two 110v outdoor pole lights, one on a pole and one in a tree. The light attached to the tree is about 20 yards from the house, where it's wire originates. This wire is strung about 15 feet off the ground between the house and the light.

A limb fell and snapped this wire about 10 feet from the tree. So I am curious, are there any splicing techniques or products that will support the weight of the wire and protect the splice from the weather?

I have seen some epoxy splice kits in the past (put the spliced wire in a mold and fill with epoxy - for underground wiring), but am not sure if these kits are commercially available or if they will support the weight of the wire.

Answer 1

Can't you just use wire nuts and those hammer-in staples to secure it?

Answer 2

You could use a butt splice, which is a crimp on tubular shaped piece of aluminum. You could use heat shrink for insulation, or just electrical tape

or, fold 1 wire a few inches from the end, and secure it with a tie wire to the other, then use a wirenut. You could use tape, or any type of silicon or epoxy you have handy

Answer 3

As long as you are repairing it , why not go under ground?The money + effort will be paid back by not having to repair the line again.Check home depot,or an electrical outlet store for what you need.Best of luck with your repairs.It is an easy fix.Just make sure you turn the power off at the breaker before you begin>

Answer 4

If you are running any wires that far they should be supported using a solid wire "strand " to take the load. Electrical wires themselves are not designed to take that type of load. A simple way to do this is to use a clothes line attached at both the house and tree and run to a ground rod at one or both ends in case of a short or lightning strike. You can then wrap the wire around it`s lenght or use ty wraps every 4 feet . If you are going to splice the wires using barrel type connectors , alternate your connections a few inches apart and insulate each one (shrink tube) as well as shrink tube the entire splice after to prevent moisture . Below are examples Don`t forget to place the large shrink on the wire before making the individual splices as this stuff does not work if you cut it open after forgetting to put it on. All these items are available at any electrical supply store. Don`t forget to use at least a 4' ground rod and the correct copper ground clamp . Available at the same place , and of course make sure the power is off before attempting this.

Answer 5

Do not splice this together unless you can use a weather proof junction box. . . and no you can free suspend this box in the air.

Mike Lonergan

TradesProfessional, Inc.