Home Page link

repairing wire insulation inside box

Home| Search | About
Login Password
Register Now! Lost Password?

Home Repair - - If it ain't broken, don't fix it. Otherwise look here. 

Bookmark this page:  YahooMyWeb Yahoo!  Google Google  Windows Live Favorites Windows Live  del.icio.us del.icio.us  digg digg  Add to Netscape Netscape
Subject Author Date
repairing wire insulation inside box deans@wdeans.com 08-10-2005
If you were  Registered and logged in, you could reply and use other advanced thread options
Posted by deans@wdeans.com on August 10, 2005, 7:20 am


Greetings,

What does the NEC say about repairing damaged wire insulation inside of
a utility box? Is electrical tape acceptable so long as the colours
match? Is heat shrink tubing acceptable? Should I wire nut be used
even if the wire is shortened to only a couple inches instead of the
minimum 6? Is the only acceptable means to re-run the length of cable
between the two boxes? What is legal and what is the best most
accepted way even if it is not strictly legal?

Thank you for your time,
William

PS: Scenario is that a tenant decided to replace an ungrounded
receptacle with a receptacle w/ ground hole (but still without true
ground). Apparently the tenant had the receptacle around but no 2-3
prong converter and no car. They needed the ground plug for a power
strip for the entertainment center they were setting up. The tenant
did not properly pack the wires back into the box and put an outlet
mounting screw through hot wire insulation resulting in a short (but no
damage to the copper within the wire). Yes, yes, I am well aware that
what they were doing is wrong.



Electric Radiant Heat 468x60
Posted by SQLit on August 10, 2005, 7:41 am



> Greetings,
>
> What does the NEC say about repairing damaged wire insulation inside of
> a utility box? Is electrical tape acceptable so long as the colours
> match? Is heat shrink tubing acceptable? Should I wire nut be used
> even if the wire is shortened to only a couple inches instead of the
> minimum 6? Is the only acceptable means to re-run the length of cable
> between the two boxes? What is legal and what is the best most
> accepted way even if it is not strictly legal?
>
> Thank you for your time,
> William
>
> PS: Scenario is that a tenant decided to replace an ungrounded
> receptacle with a receptacle w/ ground hole (but still without true
> ground). Apparently the tenant had the receptacle around but no 2-3
> prong converter and no car. They needed the ground plug for a power
> strip for the entertainment center they were setting up. The tenant
> did not properly pack the wires back into the box and put an outlet
> mounting screw through hot wire insulation resulting in a short (but no
> damage to the copper within the wire). Yes, yes, I am well aware that
> what they were doing is wrong.

I have seen black insulating tape used. I have seen insulating heat shrink
used. Your property your choice of repair.




Posted by Fred on August 10, 2005, 1:57 pm



> Greetings,
>
> What does the NEC say about repairing damaged wire insulation inside of
> a utility box? Is electrical tape acceptable so long as the colours
> match? Is heat shrink tubing acceptable? Should I wire nut be used
> even if the wire is shortened to only a couple inches instead of the
> minimum 6? Is the only acceptable means to re-run the length of cable
> between the two boxes? What is legal and what is the best most
> accepted way even if it is not strictly legal?
>
> Thank you for your time,
> William
>
> PS: Scenario is that a tenant decided to replace an ungrounded
> receptacle with a receptacle w/ ground hole (but still without true
> ground). Apparently the tenant had the receptacle around but no 2-3
> prong converter and no car. They needed the ground plug for a power
> strip for the entertainment center they were setting up. The tenant
> did not properly pack the wires back into the box and put an outlet
> mounting screw through hot wire insulation resulting in a short (but no
> damage to the copper within the wire). Yes, yes, I am well aware that
> what they were doing is wrong.
>

Electrical tape or heat shrink should be ok as long as you maintain the same
class insulation level as the wiring. It should be printed on the existing
wire, either 300V or 600V for house wiring. If you're not sure just wrap
the wire a few more times make sure its thicker than the existing insulation
then if you like put the heat shrink over the whole thing.




Posted by Dan on August 10, 2005, 8:57 pm


On 10 Aug 2005 07:20:01 -0700, "deans@wdeans.com"

>Greetings,
>
>What does the NEC say about repairing damaged wire insulation inside of
>a utility box? Is electrical tape acceptable so long as the colours
>match? Is heat shrink tubing acceptable? Should I wire nut be used
>even if the wire is shortened to only a couple inches instead of the
>minimum 6? Is the only acceptable means to re-run the length of cable
>between the two boxes? What is legal and what is the best most
>accepted way even if it is not strictly legal?
>
>Thank you for your time,
>William
>
>PS: Scenario is that a tenant decided to replace an ungrounded
>receptacle with a receptacle w/ ground hole (but still without true
>ground). Apparently the tenant had the receptacle around but no 2-3
>prong converter and no car. They needed the ground plug for a power
>strip for the entertainment center they were setting up. The tenant
>did not properly pack the wires back into the box and put an outlet
>mounting screw through hot wire insulation resulting in a short (but no
>damage to the copper within the wire). Yes, yes, I am well aware that
>what they were doing is wrong.

As long as the rating matches or exceeds the insulation on the wire,
you can use electrical tape (most does). I know this because I was
prepared to take exception to something I saw a contractor doing but
had the presence of mind to check the code book and found he was
right! A little research saved embarrasment in that case.

Dan


Posted by blueman on August 11, 2005, 1:25 pm



> On 10 Aug 2005 07:20:01 -0700, "deans@wdeans.com"
>
> >Greetings,
> >
> >What does the NEC say about repairing damaged wire insulation inside of
> >a utility box? Is electrical tape acceptable so long as the colours
> >match? Is heat shrink tubing acceptable? Should I wire nut be used
> >even if the wire is shortened to only a couple inches instead of the
> >minimum 6? Is the only acceptable means to re-run the length of cable
> >between the two boxes? What is legal and what is the best most
> >accepted way even if it is not strictly legal?
> >
> >Thank you for your time,
> >William
> >
> >PS: Scenario is that a tenant decided to replace an ungrounded
> >receptacle with a receptacle w/ ground hole (but still without true
> >ground). Apparently the tenant had the receptacle around but no 2-3
> >prong converter and no car. They needed the ground plug for a power
> >strip for the entertainment center they were setting up. The tenant
> >did not properly pack the wires back into the box and put an outlet
> >mounting screw through hot wire insulation resulting in a short (but no
> >damage to the copper within the wire). Yes, yes, I am well aware that
> >what they were doing is wrong.
>
> As long as the rating matches or exceeds the insulation on the wire,
> you can use electrical tape (most does). I know this because I was
> prepared to take exception to something I saw a contractor doing but
> had the presence of mind to check the code book and found he was
> right! A little research saved embarrasment in that case.
>
> Dan

Just out of curiousity, what does the NEC allow if the insulation (but
not the wire) is nicked outside of a box -- i.e. along a run.


Similar ThreadsPosted
Repairing a pipe with a wire in it October 7, 2007, 11:44 am
Why Insulation in Inside Wall? October 8, 2008, 6:16 pm
soldering enameled wire; repairing 110 to lower transformers December 23, 2006, 12:39 pm
The best way to find out the type and amount of insulation inside an exterior wall? October 15, 2006, 5:03 pm
Running Wire inside basement walls December 13, 2006, 4:24 pm
OK to put wire mesh on the inside of roof vents? January 21, 2007, 1:19 pm
short term temporary outside use of inside romex wire September 22, 2005, 3:45 pm
What tool to use to drop a wire down inside a wall to the basement? November 28, 2005, 2:39 pm
Source for hot wire cutter for spray foam insulation September 26, 2006, 12:08 pm
Alternatives to Frost King Insulation or Preferred Insulation for Door Frames, Etc February 4, 2007, 1:49 pm

Contact Us | Privacy Policy

XML SitemapXML Sitemap