Please teach me about electrical cord splicing and safety??

Question

I am not looking for an answer as to how to stop my dog from chewing the cords, that has been addressed.

However, once the cords have been chewed through, can't I just cut out the chewed portion and splice the two sides together using electrical tape (i.e., take a portion of the outer coating off both sides, twist the wires together, and cover with the black tape) ??

I thought this was fine, but somebody else told me that this wasn't safe, and that sparks would occur with such a taped cord and potentially cause a fire. Apparantly according to this person, I am supposed to throw out the cords and replace them.

Frankly, being a do-it-myselfer most the time (and a frugal person), splicing seems like an okay fix.

The particular cord in question is an Apple PowerBook Cord (for charging the laptop). Thank you in advance for your reply!

Can anybody give me a source? How else can I judge fact from opinion?

Answer 1

replace the cord its the safest thing to do

Answer 2

You should not splice the wires together in the middle. Cut the cord back to the bad spot and install a new plug end is the correct way if the cord is long enough

Answer 3

Twisting an taping wires will usually work okay but is not the best way to do it. Hardware and improvment stores sell connectors and plug ends that should be used if cords are repaired.

Answer 4

It is never a good idea to splice cords. Being a laptop cord, you're really asking for trouble.

Answer 5

I would get a couple of butt connectors and use them with heat shrink tubing. That should work just fine.

Answer 6

well i splice...
never had a problem..