Nick in Conductor - Not Sure If It Can Be Repaired


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Old 10-11-20, 12:48 PM
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Nick in Conductor - Not Sure If It Can Be Repaired

I was swapping out a switch, and I noticed that there is a pretty serious nick in the load conductor. I’m guessing it’s been like that for 30 years, but I’m not sure of the correct way to repair it. If I cut it back, I’ll only have about 2.5” of free conductor. I thought that I had read about electrical tape not being acceptable, but I’m not sure. It would be a nightmare to try to rerun this cable. Worst case scenario, I would have to place a junction somewhere. That would hopefully be a last resort.



 

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10-11-20, 01:01 PM
beelzebob
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From the pic, it looks like only the insulation is cut, not the conductor. Wrap the insulation with electrical tape or use a piece of heat shrink tubing. If the conductor is nicked, cut off at the nick, strip a 1/2 inch and wire nut a same size and length of wire to it.
 
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Old 10-11-20, 01:01 PM
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From the pic, it looks like only the insulation is cut, not the conductor. Wrap the insulation with electrical tape or use a piece of heat shrink tubing. If the conductor is nicked, cut off at the nick, strip a 1/2 inch and wire nut a same size and length of wire to it.
 
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Old 10-11-20, 01:14 PM
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Sorry for not being more clear. Only the insulation is nicked. I taped it for now. Would it make sense to go back and repair it with heat shrink? I don’t have any at the moment but can buy some.
 
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Old 10-11-20, 01:31 PM
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I would go back with heat shrink. Tape adhesive can get gummy or dry out and loose it's grip over time so I consider heat shrink to be better and more permanent.
 
 

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