---
title: "What Is Pigtail? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "A pigtail is a short length of wire used to join one or more wires to a device or to extend a wire so it can reach a connection."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/pigtail
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Wiring and circuits

# Pigtail

A pigtail is a short length of wire used to join one or more wires to a device or to extend a wire so it can reach a connection.

Electricians use a pigtail so several wires can share one connection or so a short wire can stand in for a longer run. The pigtail is joined to the other wires with a [wire nut](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/wire-nut) or another approved connector, which forms a [splice](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/splice).

Pigtailing is also a known repair for [aluminum wiring](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/aluminum-wiring). CPSC staff considers pigtailing with a COPALUM connector to be a safe and permanent repair. Do not try this yourself. Connections inside boxes are work for a licensed electrician. Read the guide on [Federal Pacific panels and aluminum wiring](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/guides/federal-pacific-panels-and-aluminum-wiring).

[Daniel Electric can helpResidential electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/electrician)

## Related terms

-   [Wire nut](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/wire-nut)
-   [Splice](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/splice)
-   [Aluminum wiring](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/aluminum-wiring)
-   [Junction box](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/junction-box)

## Sources

1.  [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Repairing Aluminum Wiring](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/516.pdf)
2.  [U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission: Repairing Aluminum Wiring](https://www.cpsc.gov/s3fs-public/516.pdf)

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