I recently replaced a standard receptacle with a GFCI. I noticed that whoever installed the outlet previously had 2" of sheath inside the box. I was in the process of cutting it back, and I accidentally nicked the neutral. I have never done this before, and I should have been more careful. I lucked out in that there was excess NM cable in the wall. It was an old work box, so I was able to remove it. The issue is that I have just under 5 1/2" of free conductor. I know that code requires 6". How much of a concern is this? It would be very difficult to re-run, but if necessary, I could install a junction box.

 

I'd just tape over that nick.
5-1/2" is more then enough to work with.

 

i edited as to not hijack the thread.

 

Code requires 3" past the edge of the box minium.

I'll tend to go 5 or 6" past.

 

just add a pigtail to it to get the working length.