How to Make Electrical Pigtails

This is a basic tutorial on what electrical pigtails are and how to make them.

Disclaimer: Always use multiple sources and do your homework before performing any electrical work. Also, make sure all work is done within national and local code.

Cut 6 inch lengths of THHN or unsheathed Romex wire. Strip 1/2 inch of the PVC jacket from each end.

Loop the bare copper wire at one end.

Secure the loop to the electrical unit and fasten. A switch is being used in this example.

In this example a pigtail is secured to 2 switches. These will then be connected to the main Romex wire pictured. This will allow power for both units.

Twist the wires together with a lineman pliers. Twist in a clockwise direction because this is the same direction used by the wire connector cap.

Twist on a wire connector cap.

Pigtails have now been used to connect two switches to a wire. Another common application is to use pigtails to extend wire that may have been cut too short.