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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?

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?

Posted - December 23, 2018

Responses


  • 44173
    No. Just wrap it. No flames.
      December 23, 2018 8:40 AM MST
    3

  • 14795
    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 ..
      December 23, 2018 8:53 AM MST
    4

  • 5808
    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.
      December 23, 2018 9:21 AM MST
    2

  • 44173
    Hey...my answer was as good as yours.
      December 23, 2018 4:03 PM MST
    1

  • 22891
    not sure
      December 23, 2018 9:33 AM MST
    0

  • 19942
    What are you sure of?
      December 23, 2018 10:53 AM MST
    2

  • 7280
    "not sure"
      December 23, 2018 3:26 PM MST
    1

  • 19942
    OMG - it's contagious!
      December 23, 2018 8:44 PM MST
    2

  • 7280
    Oh, no---call the CDC, that is definitely dangerous.
      December 23, 2018 9:58 PM MST
    2

  • 19942
    It certainly is, Ollie.
      December 23, 2018 10:12 PM MST
    2

  • 7280
    Just snapped to "Ollie."
      April 27, 2019 9:11 AM MDT
    1

  • 5835
    No. Buy a replacement plug, cut the wire, and install the new plug. You might need an extension cord for it, but it's cheaper than a fire.
      December 23, 2018 2:29 PM MST
    1

  • 2960
    Buy a new thing and a new house.
      December 23, 2018 3:35 PM MST
    1

  • 7280
    Power cords are meant to be replaced, not repaired---the degree of risk you are willing to impose upon your family is entirely up to you.
      December 23, 2018 4:06 PM MST
    1

  • 3680
    To answer the question directly...

    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. 


    ++++

    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.

      December 26, 2018 4:21 PM MST
    1

  • 46117
    Hire someone who knows what they are doing.
      April 27, 2019 9:40 AM MDT
    1