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Ask your QuestionA mouse or rat has chewed the parts of the jacket layer off some appliance cables in the garage. Is it safe enough to wrap electrical tape over the gaps to fix them? Or what can I use instead of electrical tape?
Asked by jonathan on 9th Apr 2020Best Answer
"Hi. It isn't safe to put tape around to make safe because
Mouse will come back and start to chewing the cable again.
For making the cable safe run new cable through flexible
Trunking and do something about mouse before he does
Further damage to other electrical components. Regards
Muhammad Afzaal"
"Hi Jonathan ,
Personally I would not advise it.
Really the cable should be cut and stripped back and put in a mechanically sound junction box or replaced completely.
Have a good day
Michael Wood Electrical Limited"
"No, a qualified electrician has to change the cables"
Answered on 9th Apr 2020 - Member since Apr 2020 - report"Hi I would agree with most statements, but if there is no copper exposed then it would be fine to use tape. After all when and Electrician makes a solid connection with something like thro crimps he would use tape over the joint. But I presume it's white PVC cable and if so the rats will only chew it again.
They don't normally chew the stuff for some funny reason. But yeah as a temporary measure use tape. It's better than leaving it exposed. Also get rid of the rats."
"I would strongly recommend replacing the wire.
1. The current will not pass through sufficient enough
2. It is an extremely dangerous fire hazard.
Feel free to contact me to discuss further"
"If any copper cable is on show then I would advise you not to just tape it up. Have the cable replaced possibly in a conduit to help prevent any more damage from animals. Or to simply have the damaged part made of in a junction box. Stay safe."
Answered on 9th Apr 2020 - Member since Mar 2020 - report"No we don't advise to cover it with insulation tape. It can be fixed but with a connector unit"
Answered on 9th Apr 2020 - Member since Jul 2019 - report"Yes you can use electrical tape but turn the electric off first, and possibly get an electrician to look at it."
Answered on 9th Apr 2020 - Member since Nov 2019 - report"I would suggest that you hire a competent electrician to completely rewire that particular cable for long term safety reasons and they can then provide you with a minor works certificate which you can produce in the future if necessary, and for further maintenance purposes so another electrician can be made aware on future test & inspection purposes."
Answered on 10th Apr 2020 - Member since Dec 2019 - report"No you don't have to apply electrical tapes.
To avoid partial contacts of the chewed cables, you need to have the damaged cables removed and replaced.
You have to engage the services of a qualified electrician to access the extent of the damage."
"No, you can not do that you need a jointing connector then put the joint in a proper joining box."
Answered on 9th Apr 2020 - Member since Jan 2019 - report"Hi,
It's not advisable to just tape unsheathed live cables, either cut out and join with correct connectors and protection or seek electrician to re-wire and check all the cables in that area to make sure they are all ok.
William Stevenson"