Is it safe to repair an electrical cord with electrical tape?

Question

I have a $250 flat iron which I use to straighten my hair and I really don't have the money to replace it right now, but here's the problem....
I was straightening my hair as usual, and when I got closer to my ear, I heard a kind of flickering noise. There is a crack in the cord about 1mm wide and I saw a spark in it. Since its such a small crack, would I be able to put electrical tape around the cord long enough for me to purchase a new one?

Answer 1

Do NOT try to make a stop-gap repair with tape.
It's just begging for trouble.

No need to replace the iron though.
Replacement cord sets in standard sizes are available at your local hardware store, and the
replacement is pretty easy to do.
Take the iron to the store. They'll get the proper
cord for you.
If you're not happy with tools, any competent local
handyman type can do the replacement.

Answer 2

You can buy a new plug, and about 5 feet of new cord for around 5.00..do not tape this joint for you need to seperate the wires to cut the bad spot out..then tape them individually not around both at one time..then this still ay not be safe if done improperly...a couple screws will take the housing apart..and just go simply with a whole new cord and plug end...Simple to do, low cost..and afe for it is all new..It will save buying another hair dryer.. If you arent sure of this..I am sure a friend or so will know how..very simple..but the electrical tape thing is not worth burning your house down for when it can be fixed for under 5.00

Answer 3

listen to the other post, your idea of covering it with electrical tape won't solve the problem. look in the owners manual for service locations for that product, or check the yellow pages for a small appliance repair shop and give them a call. i would guess that they could replace the cord with one from a toaster, clothes iron at the very least if they can't get one for your iron. have the model# and whatever info you have for it and call a place, bet it won't run you more than $50.00 parts and labor. good luck, be safe.

Answer 4

you know it is so much easier and safer to fix it your self
get a screw driver and undo the screws and gently seperate the case...follow the wires see where they are connected. now look where the wire splits one goes to one screw the other to the other....one wire is different from the other,,,like one side has writing or bumby or a line and the other is smooth note witch wire goes to wich connection now remove the wires...take your cord and cut it where the break is ....now strip the plastic coating off of the end on each piece and screw the new ends to the connection ...if there is a green wire do the same...if the connection has been soldered you might ask your dad or brother to help but its really no biggie to repair and if you spent that much on it im sure you would be better to fix than toss,,,,as for the tape idea NOT for one thing your putting that next to YOUR HEAD so better to fix if you need help just ASK
good luck and try it you will be suprised at how easy things can be fixed if you take them apart before throwing them away...".its good for the bottle and good for the can"

Answer 5

NO NO NO ! Please don't just tape this you are seeing sparks which means that you have a short. Donot use this appliance until you have the cord replaced, this should cost a lot less than a $250 new one. If you use it again I'm worried that your hair will be frizzled, not straightened or worse....

Answer 6

Even if its showing copper it will be perfectly ok to use insolation tape. Wrap each wire carefully so that no copper is touching each other and then wrap the tape around the both of them, Make sure you use quite a bit for extra insulation. I have done this a 100 times or more.

Answer 7

If you're seeing spark, you're begging for a fir. Get rid of it and buy another. It's either $250 for the iron or $45,000 in fire damage (if you're lucky)