Quick fix damaged pigtail

Status
Not open for further replies.
rabtrfld

rabtrfld

Member
Location
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
The day after installing a "4-way" wall switch in a metal cut-in box, it shorted out. The unused MC clamp on the bottom of the box had cut into a wire when I packed that big switch and all those wires into that little box. So naturally I removed the clamp (lesson learned). The insulation was only nicked in one place, but I thought tape would be slipshod. So I threaded on a length of 600V PVC (presumably) spaghetti stripped from a larger wire. Seems sound to me, wonder if anyone care to comment?
 
Debatable subject. The NEC does not directly address repairing damaged conductors.

NEC basically says install free from damage but in real life stuff happens. What to do?

Closet thing is 110.14(B). Insulating splices and such.

While your method is prolly safe, one could say that the absence of any direct guidance means it is an AHJ call and that he/she could require that a person used a listed item, ie: a 3M repair kit or shrink wrap.

Personally I have no problem with tape and have done it many times.
 
JFletcher said:
don't think that's an approved method of repair.
Click to expand...

jumper said:
What is then? Code reference please.
Click to expand...


Jumper, you already posted the code reference, so here it is.
Bold by me
(B) Splices. Conductors shall be spliced or joined with
splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding,
or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered
splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically
and electrically secure without solder and then be
soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors
shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of
the conductors or with an insulating device identified for
the purpose.
Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors
for direct burial shall be listed for such use.
Click to expand...

So IMO, if the PVC or heat shrink or whatever the OP used was equivalent to the conductor insulation, then I think it was a proper fix.
 
It certainly suggests that, but since a nicked wire is not a joint, splice or exposed end you cannot assert that the section explicitly applies to repairs of nicked insulation.
 
IMG_6792.jpgIMG_6793.jpg


Sorry for the sideways pictures, something about the iPhone.

So, is this tape good for 80C or 105C ?
 
GoldDigger said:
It certainly suggests that, but since a nicked wire is not a joint, splice or exposed end you cannot assert that the section explicitly applies to repairs of nicked insulation.
Click to expand...

Then I assert, since the NEC is a permissive document, that nowhere does it prohibit that repair, that it is allowed.
 
rabtrfld said:
The day after installing a "4-way" wall switch in a metal cut-in box, it shorted out. The unused MC clamp on the bottom of the box had cut into a wire when I packed that big switch and all those wires into that little box. So naturally I removed the clamp (lesson learned). The insulation was only nicked in one place, but I thought tape would be slipshod. So I threaded on a length of 600V PVC (presumably) spaghetti stripped from a larger wire. Seems sound to me, wonder if anyone care to comment?
Click to expand...

Not the most ideal way to go but I have done that same type of repair before.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top