Splicing Low-Voltage Cable
Besides underground power cable, it’s also
possible to slice through low-voltage lighting,
irrigation and telephone cable and coaxial
cable. Since they’re low voltage, you may be
tempted to just twist the wires and wrap the
splice with electrical tape. It won’t work.
Instead, head to a home center and get a
couple of low-voltage connectors for direct
burial. They rely on gel to encapsulate the
splice to prevent water intrusion and corrosion.
For low-voltage stranded cable, like you
might find on lighting, use the wire nut/gel-filled
tube style. Twist on the wire nut, plunge
the connector into the tube until the gel oozes
out the top, then snap the lid. For solid irrigation
and telephone wire, shove the wires in an
insulation piercing gel-filled connector and
snap it closed.