I have 2×14/3 wires going down a hole and when pulling one through this hole it managed to wear thru the outer white sheathing on the other wire. The hole is 5/8″.
Should I pull the wire and re-run it with a new piece or should I just electrical tape the sheathing or is it fine with the white sheathing a little worn though?
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Replies
If the insulation of the conductors inside is not damaged, I don't see a problem. All the sheathing does is keep the wires together so you can pull them without a spaghetti mess in the walls. That's why Romex is not allowed in areas where physical damage is likely. Only conduit protects wire from physical damage.
Only conduit? How about MC or AC ? Do they not offer a degree of protection?
Isn't armored cable in effect a flexible conduit that you buy with wire already in it?BruceT
There is no manufacturer approved repair fpr damaged sheathing. If you're in the early stages, why not re-pull it now, before it becomes a problem...
Or you can just bury a j-box in the wall and forget all about it!:-)
"If you're in the early stages, why not re-pull it now, before it becomes a problem..."I'm not the OP, but "becomes a problem" how?BruceT
Sorry about that..
Inspector should have a problem with it, b/c it is not in compliance with mfg's specs...
Are the inside wires knicked, even a little bit?
That's all I'm saying...not an electrician, but I did have one cause me to fail an inspection!
No none of the inside wires are nicked. The outer sheathing wore away due to the wires rubbing when I pulled them, the friction ate through the sheathing. The white outer sheathing is quite a bit thinner than the insulation around the conductors which I think would be next to impossible to wear away with friction from pulling wires.Thank you for all the responses. I can re-pull the wire I am just wondering if most people do this.
Paid job for someone else pull it.
Your own place tape it.
the friction ate through the sheathing
More likely snagged the sheating on something than wearing through it by friction. If you pull in new wire, look for what snagged the other wire.
Pulling romex is easier and safer for the wire if there are two people. One pulls and the other feeds the wire through holes and around objects. With only one pulling you tend to pull a little to hard when the wire hangs, hopeing that it will free itself and you won't have to run up and down a ladder after pulling only a few feet of wire.
BTDT, and I am an electrician
Thanks for all the posts.I'll re-run it.True about it being easier to run it with two people. How big of a hole do people typically drill for electrical. I usually go 5/8th but most of the original holes were for knob and tube and I think are closer to 3/8.
I used to drill 1–1/8" for EMT, and 5/8 is too small for more than 1 cable IMO.
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I default to 3/4" in most cases, and I assume every hole will eventually get at least 2 cables, planned or not. I'm a HO that mostly does my own work, so it's usually retrofits. I'll go larger if it's a difficult run (long, multiple bends, holes at awkward angles, etc...) because I'm generally wiring by myself. -t
you will sleep better at night knowing you pulled it and replaced.what are you going to waste?you can use it somewhere else thats 5' shorter.
but,if i was to leave it i would put a couple layers of heat shrink on it after i made absolute sure that the wire insulation was still intact,if it wasn't it's a no brainer.
YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T
MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE
DUCT TAPE.
Dad used to be an electrician in a former life. Always told me black tape was an OK repair for sheathing.
Unless the inspector sees it.
Really, even if you didn't tape it at all, like anything bad will happen.
Edit: But tape it. I would.
Edited 6/15/2009 9:35 pm ET by Biff_Loman