I am having metal duct put in our basement for our heating/cooling system.Today the contractor gave a yelp and said he had briefly punctured the Romex (supplying 120V to a room) and got a shock. There is no visible damage, it appears a sliver briefly stuck into the hot wire as he was putting up some joist liner in a difficult spot.

Is this a safety issue that must be fixed? Is there a way to fix it without replacing the Romex?

The offending metal is no longer actually in the Romex, but there is duct in proximity.

Thanks!

Absolutely a safety issue. The wires must be completely covered by the insulating cover, it can't be damaged or stripped except inside an electrical box.

Here is a pic of the Romex; there are two running side by side. I took a look for myself and it is NOT a tiny puncture.:mad:

I'm not even sure this is the spot that he hit the hot wire, but it is very close, and clearly there is a significant breach of the Romex here anyway.

Fortunately it is accessible for now, and not a lot of trouble to replace.

Am I correct that replacement is the only option?

Attachment 12426

You say you are not sure this is the spot??


If this is the spot, you can put a small cut in the sheathing (Do not cut the sheathing off. You are placing a cut in the middle top only--making an envelope type access for viewing), open up the sheath, and take a look at the conductors inside. If the conductor ('s) has insulation damage, but no damage to the copper, then you are fine. Repair insulation (if damaged) and sheathing with electrical tape.

Note: Make sure the power is off, and be careful when making your cut.

Now, if you want a clean look. Replace the cable.

To be honest, that small nick doesn't seem bad at all!

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Originally Posted by Washington1

You say you are not sure this is the spot???


If this is the spot, you can put a small cut in the sheathing (Do not cut the sheathing off. You are placing a cut in the middle top only--making an envelope type access for viewing), open up the sheath, and take a look at the conductors inside. If the conductor ('s) has insulation damage, but no damage to the copper, then you are fine. Repair insulation (if damaged) and sheathing with electrical tape.

Note: Make sure the power is off, and be careful when making your cut.

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Thanks for the comments and suggestions.

Is this the spot? I assume so, but maybe he nicked it twice; it's a tight spot. I think I shall take a few things apart and examine both lines carefully. Eventually this line will be hidden behind joist liner within one of the returns for the heating system.

For future reference, I gather from your comments that it is acceptable to repair Romex as long as the copper is not damaged. Is that only for line that remains accessible? Should line that is to be inside a wall be treated differently? In this case I can probably replace the line, but as you know, sometimes that is not very practical

Seems to me that he did the damage so he is responsible for it, ask him pay for the repair and use a licensed electrician.

You can fix this with a splice kit by AMP/tycoelectronics. You can use the kit inside walls. I recently posted a link to the catalog here.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electr...ycoelectronics


Replacement is always better.

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Originally Posted by KeepItSimpleStupid

You can fix this with a splice kit by AMP/tycoelectronics. You can use the kit inside walls. I recently posted a link to the catalog here.

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/electr...ycoelectronics


Replacement is always better.

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Thanks for the tips. The splice looks like a good thing to have in a pinch.

Since replacement is a viable option, I think I shall go that route.

One last question: if the sheath is damaged but not the wires or insulation inside, is it acceptable to tape it or leave it? Or is a splice required?

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Originally Posted by pwd77

thanks for the tips. The splice looks like a good thing to have in a pinch.

Since replacement is a viable option, I think I shall go that route.

One last question: if the sheath is damaged but not the wires or insulation inside, is it acceptable to tape it or leave it? Or is a splice required?

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No splice required!

We damage wire sheath I'm sure on a regular basis!

Read what I wrote, and be done with it!!

After you've done enough inspection to satisfy yourself that things are not damaged enough to require replacement you can use 'liquid electrical tape', a brush on product found at many hardware stores, to seal everything against moisture and contact. I have already used another piece of cable sheath to cover the opened area and then wrapped it carefully with self fusing tape. It is something like electrical tape with no adhesive, but it seals to itself when stretched and overlapped. I feel safe if I think no liquid or even air can get into the copper. YOU MAY NOT SPLICE USING THIS METHOD, but it will fix a damaged sheath.

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Originally Posted by Washington1

No splice required!

We damage wire sheath I'm sure on a regular basis!

Read what I wrote, and be done with it!!!

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Washington1, I appreciate your input a lot. With all due respect, I like to get a second opinion when it is something way out of my knowledge base.

Thanks to EPMiller I got my second opinion which is consistent with yours, and I am pleased.

Thanks again to EVERYONE who responded.

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Washington1, I appreciate your input a lot. With all due respect, I like to get a second opinion when it is something way out of my knowledge base.

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I see, so my input is not enough... :D

Joking!

I agree! It is best to get more than one opinion!

TEV is 100% right. "He who broke it should fix it".. or in this case pay to have it fixed. Sure, it's probably safe and there are tapes and repairs available... but it was pristine before the contractor damaged it and it's up to him to make it right.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by pwd77

One last question: if the sheath is damaged but not the wires or insulation inside, is it acceptable to tape it or leave it? Or is a splice required?

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I have to give my professional opinion here.

I agree with Wash and EP. There is NO reason to splice or replace that cable. Bringing in a licensed electrician to repair that is like going going to the doctor to get your nails trimmed.



I acknowledge that the wire was "pristine" (not that that adjective should even apply to NM cable), but we are talking about building material here, not a dent in a new car.

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Originally Posted by stanfortyman

I agree with Wash and EP. There is NO reason to splice or replace that cable. Bringing in a licensed electrician to repair that is like going going to the doctor to get your nails trimmed.

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Thanks for another opinion. I looked around on a couple other forums (blasphemy!) and that is the general consensus.

As has been brought up, there are varying degrees of damage and they are dealt with differently, as has been laid out well here.

In my case the sheath is certainly damaged, the wires are certainly not cut or broken, but there might be a little nick in the insulation around the hot wire. I gather in this case if I go in, wrap any nicked insulation, then wrap the whole thing up, I should be good.


This is certainly not the last time I will deal with this type of situation, and this thread has been tremdously helpful in educating me. I've learned a lot about new materials and procedures, all of which make good sense. The possibility of electrical fire is a scary thing, but running a new line for every little nick is a bit overkill.