I have some bunnies that seem to be able to get into any trouble they can possibly fit into. They found their way behind my entertainment center and chewed up four cords, three of which can be replaced. One that cannot goes to the TV. (Well, it probably can be, but I didn't feel like taking off the back panel of the TV.)

Is there anything at all complicated about repairing a power cord? I assume this is a common problem and I haven't looked long but I'd like to know what, if anything, special I need to do. Right now I have it wire-nutted and taped, which seems to work fine, but it isn't powered.

 

There are only two repairs that you should consider.

1) Completely replace the power cord.

2) Cut off the damaged section and install a plug. If this will make the cord too short, see number 1.

 

I can't seem to easily get the panel off the back of the TV. I assume there are simply terminals inside the panel on the main board, but if I can't get to them I can't replace them easily.

The cord would be too short if I did that. Would it be at all feasible to use a "permanent" extension cord? Or is that unsafe? I can't imagine it being much different than a power strip or surge protector.

 

Eh, I already know the answer to that. Who am I kidding?

A two-foot power cord will do just fine, I imagine. Both locations for the TV will be at most 12" from an outlet.

 

If the old plug is polarized, one prong larger then the other.
Connect the wires to the proper prongs on the new plug.

 

You must be extremely careful working inside a television. The high voltage system on the back of the CRT remains charged long after the TV has been unplugged. Touching the wrong thing can hit you with several thousand volts.

If there's any way you can do this without opening up the TV, I recommend that solution.