i screwed into a electrical cable..what do i do now???

Question

i screwed into a cable in the loft by mistake and the lights went out..the power surge switch turned them off..i turned on the power surge switch and the lights work now....i have noticed the cable is damaged.is there 2 or 3 wires in the cable..can i repair it myself by putting electical tape round a exposed wire

Answer 1

If you are confident that you can do it your self this is what you need to do - Make sure the power is OFF, cut the cable at the damaged point, strip the wires back and connect the cable using a proper rated connecting block (about £5) You could do it with tape but it safer in the long run to do it properly and its quite simple to do! Good luck

Answer 2

Shut the circuit off. Carefully remove the outermost sheeting of the wire(about 1 foot), and the paper backing. The outermost covering is usually white or yellow(this is the wrap that covers all 3 wires)Check to see if the wire has been cut, or just exposed. Wrap the wires independently with a thick wrap of electrical tape. Turn circuit back on to Make sure there is no ark between lines. If there isn't, tape all 3 together, starting at original sheathing and all Thur the repair. But remember to SHUT OFF THE CIRCUIT!!!

Black is Positive
White is Neutral
Copper(bare) is ground

Answer 3

If you live in the UK under the regulations i believe you can repair the damaged section in the cable on a like for like bases without further informing building control.

Purchase one or two 20amp good quality junction boxes (go for MK first rate quality) and a length of wire of the same rating and number of internal wire 2 or 3 core + earth depending what you find is there already.

*****MAKE SURE THE POWER IS OFF***** before starting any repairs.

If the damaged section of cable can be neatly repaired and fixed inside one junction box go for this method

If the damaged cable needs a section of wire cutting out of the line use two junction boxes.

Match each cable colour up with the new wire in each junction box

Check each wire is correct in each junction box when rejoining together, place top back on junction box and reconnect power.

Answer 4

you would have had to have gotten past the insulation on the hot and neutral wires. luck you didn't light up like a Christmas tree. i would carefull open the sheating on the cable and tape both wirse and then tape the cable after the repair is made. If you leafe it as is the wires could touch and out goes the lights again,plus it could cause a fire. MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Answer 5

I sure would not recommend it.. When you screwed into it.. you punctured the sides and NOW it is very very possible that the wires in there can spark to the next wire.. The ONLY SAFE way is to cut the cable and re-wire EACH wire by itself with electrical tape and then tape them all together.. Do you follow my drift?

Answer 6

you could tape it up with electrical tape or install a junction box where you cut the cable and splice it there. If you do tape it seperate the wires and tape each one seperate you need to find the voltage 3 wires black ,white ,green 120volt unless some one wired it with high voltage 208 volts or higher which mean the black wire would be 120 volt and the white wire would be 120 volt and green for ground

Answer 7

Turn off the power. call an electrician, or if you are confident that you can do it cut the cable at the point of damage and fit a junction box.

I wouldn't leave the power on for another second.

Answer 8

Either wrap the cable with insulating tape or buy some electrical connectors from a DIY store, cut and re-connect the cable with these. Wrap afterwards with insulating tape.

Answer 9

wouldnt recomend you to touch this one,its only small job to do for qualified sparky,you may know a friend of a friend etc who could fix if not spend a little ££ you could allways switch power off from consumer board,tape up and forget,till you meet a mate who will fix ??? hope this helps

Answer 10

you were very lucky not to be fried!next time buy a wire detector from B&Q, worth the money. Best to replace the whole wire, it would be dangerous just to 'bodge' it up. have a Happy Christmasxx