Strip, Splice, and Pigtail Conductors

A. Finished-Project Specification

Quantity: one de-energized electrical box containing every required splice and pigtail for the assigned circuit, connected with listed wire connectors matched to each conductor combination, individually pull-checked, folded into the box without insulation damage, and confirmed against the calculated box-fill allowance.

B. Conductor and Connector Schedule

Conductor Function	Identification Method	Connector or Pigtail Requirement
Ungrounded	Circuit documentation, confirmed before stripping	Listed connector matched to gauge and count; device pigtail where required
Grounded (neutral)	Circuit documentation, confirmed before stripping	Spliced continuously except where the project requires a device connection
Equipment-grounding	Circuit documentation, distinguished from grounded neutral	Box-bonding pigtail and, where required, separate device-grounding pigtail
Traveler / switched / control	Circuit documentation, labeled if function is not obvious	Listed connector matched to gauge and count; identification preserved through the splice

C. Material Takeoff

• Connectors: listed wire connectors in the sizes and types required for every conductor combination present in the box, with no single-use connector reused.
• Pigtail conductor: conductor matching the branch-circuit gauge and material, cut to the length required by the device or grounding point.
• Labels: conductor labels for any conductor whose function is not obvious from color alone.
• Documentation: one Conductor and Splice Record per box, plus photographs of conductor identification and completed splice quality.

D. Acceptance Standards

Check	Standard
De-energized verification	Live-dead-live test repeated at this box before any conductor is handled
Conductor identification	Every conductor's function confirmed by circuit documentation before stripping or connecting
Strip quality	Insulation removed to the connector-controlled length with no nicking, scoring, or cut strands
Connector installation	Listed connector matched to conductor material, gauge, and count, installed by its listed method
Pigtailing	Device and grounding pigtails present wherever the project requires pass-through independence
Pull check	Every conductor in every splice individually confirmed unable to be withdrawn
Box fill	Calculated box-fill allowance not exceeded after all connectors, pigtails, clamps, grounds, and devices are accounted for

E. Verification and Box Inspection

1. Review conductor material, insulation type, gauge, circuit function, connector listing, pigtail size, box fill, and terminal requirements. Confirm every value against the approved circuit documentation before proceeding.
2. Verify the circuit is de-energized using the approved live-dead-live procedure. Repeat the full test from Project 01 at this box.
3. Inspect the box for adequate volume, grounding, cable entries, damage, and conductor length. Confirm the box condition from Project 03, 04, or 05 remains intact.

F. Conductor Identification

1. Identify ungrounded, grounded, equipment-grounding, traveler, switched, and control conductors by the approved circuit documentation. Do not rely on conductor color alone.
2. Label conductors whose function is not obvious. Apply labels before stripping begins.

G. Stripping

1. Cut damaged ends back only when sufficient required free length remains. Confirm remaining length meets the box's free-conductor requirement before cutting.
2. Select the correct stripping opening or tool setting for the conductor. Match the tool setting to the conductor gauge before making the first cut.
3. Strip the manufacturer-controlled length without nicking, scoring, or cutting strands. Remove insulation cleanly in a single controlled motion.
4. Inspect every stripped conductor under adequate light. Reject and re-strip any conductor showing a nick, score, or cut strand.

H. Splicing

1. Prepare equal-gauge or approved mixed-gauge conductors for the listed connector. Confirm the connector's listed range covers the exact combination present.
2. Align conductor ends as required by the connector instructions. Match the alignment method to the connector type.
3. Install the connector using its listed twist, lever, push-in, or other controlled method. Follow the manufacturer's exact installation sequence.
4. Do not reuse single-use connectors or exceed their conductor range. Discard any connector that has already been used once if it is not listed for reuse.

I. Pigtailing

1. Create pigtails of the correct material, gauge, length, and identification. Match the pigtail to the branch-circuit conductor exactly.
2. Connect one device pigtail to the branch conductors rather than using the device as an unintended pass-through where the project requires pigtailing. Confirm the device is never the sole path for downstream conductors when pigtailing is required.
3. Prepare equipment-grounding pigtails for metal-box and device bonding. Build a separate pigtail for the box and, where required, a separate pigtail for the device.

J. Verification, Folding, and Documentation

1. Perform the approved individual-conductor pull check. Pull on each conductor in every completed splice individually to confirm it cannot be withdrawn.
2. Inspect for exposed copper beyond the connector, loose strands, damaged insulation, or mixed incompatible conductors. Correct any splice that fails this inspection before continuing.
3. Arrange splices behind device conductors while preserving bending space. Confirm the finished arrangement will not obstruct later device installation.
4. Fold conductors into the box using controlled bends rather than force. Avoid sharp bends or forcing conductors into position.
5. Verify box fill after all connectors, pigtails, clamps, grounds, and devices are accounted for. Confirm the calculated allowance from Project 03 is not exceeded.
6. Install a blank cover or proceed to the assigned device installation. Match this step to the project's current stage.
7. Record connector type, conductor combination, box-fill result, and inspection findings. Complete every field on the Conductor and Splice Record.