electrical
I need to reroute the wires to a set of recessed lights. The lights have push-in connectors inside of their junction box.
The wires were cut at the connectors but there are enough extra terminals.
The old wires are trimmed too short to cap or pigtail and I don't want to replace the cans. I'm thinking maybe I paint on liquid electrical tape. Is there a more appropriate way?
How about an EMT slip on bushing?
This about explains it all.
EDIT: I think there are three goals here - clamp the NM cable in place, protect the cable from the sharp edge of the EMT, and secure the EMT to the jbox on one end.
I showed you how to protect the romex coming out of the EMT.
To secure the NM cable in place, where you want to clamp the NM in place depends on the box. If its a plastic box the most of them have their own clamping system. If it's a metal box then use standard 2 screw connectors, like these:
Staple romex as specified by code:
As for connecting the EMT to box, you probably need a metal box for the knock out. Use set screw connectors, you sound as if it is inside.
The EMT should be secured to the walls. You clamps will look like these. If it needs to stand off the wall use the first, which you might need if you don't have an offset,
Pipe Calmp
1 Hole Strap
J-Nail
Many other ways to do all these things also.
The only other thing I can think of is, an EMT connector, a rigid threaded coupling and two screw romex connector. Romex stapling by code.
As far as code compliance goes, you're fine. As long as you're only wrapping the tape around the outer sheathing, there is no problem. If you wrap colored tape around individual conductors (wires), you may start confusing people.
Just make sure you use good quality tape. Some of that cheap crap tape could end up falling off in the future, which could lead to confusion and possibly injury and/or death.
Best Answer
Wires can sometimes be worked out of a push-in connector by twisting and pulling. If the clipped wires cannot be removed because they're too short or won't pull out then replace the whole connector with a new push-on or twist connector.
The clipped wires are sure to have relatively sharp edges somewhere. Like any paint, it's easy to get a thick coating of liquid tape on a smooth surface but it's hard to make it build a good thickness on edges.