Damaged insulation repair
#1
03-27-14, 04:20 PM
Damaged insulation repair
Inside a subpanel I noticed one hot conductor had a small slit (maybe an 1/8") on its insulation and you could see a tiny bit of copper. I slipped an Ideal heat shrink tube over the portion and then gave it a wrap of Scotch 88. Pulling new wire would mean taking the entire panel apart.
What is the harm/danger in 1. having a nicked wire and 2. repaired as I have described? Is my fix complaint and/or sufficient?
What is the harm/danger in 1. having a nicked wire and 2. repaired as I have described? Is my fix complaint and/or sufficient?
Last edited by pcboss; 03-27-14 at 05:28 PM.
#2
03-27-14, 05:29 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Your repair is fine.
The problem with the slit is that it potentially exposed a hot conductor to a grounded surface or touch.
The problem with the slit is that it potentially exposed a hot conductor to a grounded surface or touch.
#3
03-28-14, 09:13 AM
Suppose electrical tape would just be used to repair a slit. Does that portion of the wire under the tape heat up more under load than the wire that has the original insulation?
#6
03-28-14, 11:25 AM
Expanding on Mossman's reply: You wrote you:
I would have used tape first then heat shrink tubing.
I slipped an Ideal heat shrink tube over the portion and then gave it a wrap of Scotch 88.
Last edited by Nashkat1; 03-28-14 at 01:43 PM. Reason: Format quote
#7
03-28-14, 11:45 AM
I would have used tape first then heat shrink tubing.
My reasoning was that shrink would form better, more uniformly, to the wire insulation than to a clump of wraps of tape. In fact I was thinking even using the tape was overkill/unnecessary once the shrink is on there?
I would personally not use electrical tape--it could lose it's adhesion and fall off. Heat shrink is the way to go
#8
03-28-14, 06:52 PM
Member
I would personally not use electrical tape--it could lose it's adhesion and fall off. Heat shrink is the way to go.
#9
03-28-14, 07:08 PM
Super Moderator
When we did exterior connector waterproofing in the Navy...we did a wrap of self vulcanizing tape, followed by a tight wrap of electrical tape (and they actually bought the good stuff) then Scotchcoat (I think it was called) which was a liquid rubber type thing.
I've become a big fan of liquid electrical tape for many uses but if at all possible..heat shrink is what I'd use first.
I've become a big fan of liquid electrical tape for many uses but if at all possible..heat shrink is what I'd use first.
