Over the past few years I have battled squirrels in the attic. I have finally closed off the last of their entrances in the far reaches of the house. After closing out their areas I have inspected the wiring and all up until now is fine.
This last area they appear to have chewed through the sheathing and the wiring is exposed. I’m cutting off power to the lines in that area and am going to to an inspection.
Typically, what I do is install metal flexible conduit in the other parts of the house after they are gone – hoping they never return.
My question is – if the conductors are damaged how can they be repaired. This is only in regard to the power lines coming into the area to and from switches in the wall below.
I do not cut corners, however, I also try and avoid overkill redos. IE what is the code requirement.
Thanks.
Replies
An attic is generally considered to be an "accessible area". Therefore you can install junction boxes up there and use them to splice in new pieces of cable. There are also the boxless romex splicers that theoretically would be legal, although many inspectors might turn up their noses at them.
If the wiring is gnawed away right where it enters the top plate, going down to a switch or whatever, you either do it right and fish a new piece of wire ... or you cheat. Of course we know you'd never cheat, but we could always discuss hypotheticals.
Thanks, Unfortunately I do not cheat and some of the stories are legendary in regard to the 'do it correct' extremes.
If the insulation of the individual wires is not damaged, you don't have to worry. Just tape over the missing sheathe.
However, if it is damaged -- in any way -- you must replace the damaged sections.
~Peter
According to Romex, there is not an acceptable repair to the sheathing. I had to go through this with a new home rough-in on a 100' run of 10/2 and 75' of 14/3.
The mfg's rep's advice was "replace the run...period"
That being said, you would need 2 junction boxes to splice in a new piece, in order to have the code recommended length.
Edited 4/12/2009 8:43 pm ET by MikeRyan