Extending a cable or flex

Cable being extended

Summary: Step by step guide showing how to connect and extend a cable or flex.

How to extend cable or flex

If you want to extend a flex without unsightly adaptors, simply connect the existing flex to a length of new flex via a one-piece connector.

Replace and tighten the cord grip screws to secure the flex sheaths.

Connecting flex

  • Unscrew the connector cover and remove the brass terminals inside.
  • Prepare the flex for connection by stripping about 40mm (1 1/2in) from the outer PVC protective covering at the end of the flex using a sharp knife. Avoid cutting or nicking the insulation on the colour-coded cores and separate the colour-coded conductors.
  • The cores are connected to the flex connector by screw-down terminals. About 15mm (1/2in) of the colour-coded insulation needs to be stripped from each of the cores using wire strippers. With the coloured insulation removed, twist the strands of wire together.
  • Loosen the screws on the terminals.
  • Feed each core of the two lengths of flex into the terminals, ensuring that the brown core of one flex meets the brown core of the other; the blue core meets the other blue core; and the green-and-yellow meets green-and-yellow.
  • Tighten the terminal screws again.
  • To keep the flex in place at each end of the connector there is a plastic bar, or grip, secured by two screws. Take out the grip or swing it to one side and feed the flex underneath the grip. Re-tighten the grip screws.
  • Replace the connector’s cover.

Tools Needed

  • Insulated screwdriver
  • Trimming knife
  • Wire cutters/strippers

Materials needed

  • One-piece connector
  • Flex

Important note

The colour-coding system for electric cable changed in 2006, make sure you read Electric cable and flex to view the new information.

How to extend short wires video

Summary: Step by step video showing two ways to extend cable or wires. The first using a crimp connector, the second using push wire connector.

Author

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The Editorial Team at lets-do-diy.com are a team of experts led by Mark Wilson. We have been creating DIY projects, articles, costs guides and product reviews since 2008. For more info see our about page.