Discussion»Questions»Electronics» To quick fix an accidentally slice wire exposing copper in my power supply cord can I wrap electricians tape around it and flame melt it on?
That's a wrap ...as long as it's tightly wrapped and no bare cable is exposed still.....you also need to use a suitable non conductive electrical tape ..
As long as you haven't cut the actual copper wire and you only cut the outer wrapping, just wrap electrical tape around the area, and you are good to go. No flame that would just melt the tape. If you have cut into the actual wire, just get a new cable.
NO! Under any circumstances, but especially with mains leads and cables.
A flame not only risks melting the lead (to use the "cord"'s UK name) but setting it alight! Even if you don't do that, you will harm the insulation away from the damage, weakening the cable electrically and mechanically, and risking a short-circuit developing.
Insulation-tape must be regarded as no more than a short-term, temporary "repair" at best, and even then is a "botch". Such a patched lead is mechanically weak at that point, and the tape cannot be guaranteed to stay in place or be waterproof.
The only safe way is to replace the lead fully. If the damage is close to the plug you might get away with cutting the cable short and re-fitting the plug if it is a re-wireable type. If the plug is a moulded-on type, you can only replace it with one of re-wireable pattern.
Either way depends on whether you need the full cable length and the repaired lead is still long enough. Shortening the cable and using an extension lead is possible, but clumsy. Full replacement is far better and far safer.
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There IS a material called "heat-shrink sleeving", tubing made from a special plastic, for insulating and strengthening electrical connections etc; but it must be shrunk with an appropriate heat-source designed for the purpose, NOT a flame; and is NOT for "mending" damaged mains leads.
If you must repair anything electrical yourself, then please take a proper pride in standard of workmanship to ensure the result both works, and works safely: the hazards and their risks presented by faults in mains electrical equipment mean it is not at all worth botching.
Baba 