Best way of repairing a cut wire (houshold plug type)

[Ralf Rockefeller]

Hi Chaps,

The previous owner of my home, by the looks of it, cut straight through the outdoor spot light wire (which is running into the inner garage wall).

Anyone got any suggestions to a safe way to re wire a plug to it? I take it getting a length of wire, twisting the relevant wiring and covering them with electrical tape is sure "fire" way to burn down my garage and my track car?

Regards,
RR

[hidetheelephants]

My preference is for replacing the whole bit to reduce the risk of moisture ingress(is the cut inside or outside?), failing that a soldered splice with heatshrink(preferably adhesive lined) on the individual wires, and then a bigger bit of heatshrink over the whole joint.

Having written that it occurs to me that it might not be flex; what is the wire? Is it solid single core wire, or are the conductors made up of lots of thin copper wires? If it's solid core, you will need to use a junction box(IP68 if the join is outdoors).

[Wings]

Junction Box!

[Ralf Rockefeller]

Thanks for the replies so far, its flex (lots of little copper wires).

I am still a bit miffed at the previous house owner- he has cut the wire half way up the wall, by the looks of it on purpose to get the plug/wire etc. Another meter or so, and I could have fitted a plug straight onto it and straight onto a socket.

I might just go the full lenght of replacing the unit, as mentioned above, for a safety factor.

[Simpo Two]

Still not sure if it's inside or outside.

[VxDuncan]

Quite possible the installation didn't meet wiring regs, and he's cut the wire so as not to be liable. Am I right in thinking the light is outdoors, the flex runs down the wall, through a hole in the wall to a socket inside? This is common, but frowned upon, especially if a sag in the cable wasn't left to stop water running down the cable to the plug!

[Ralf Rockefeller]

Hi chaps,

Sorry forgot to mention- the wire is inside, but as above mentioned, goes through the garage wall, and on to the outside wall.

The above sounds very plausable.

[Simpo Two]

Ralf Rockefeller said:

Sorry forgot to mention- the wire is inside

That's easy then: www.screwfix.com/prods/28279/Electrical-Supplies/C...

Turn the power off, strip back the cut ends and connect up.

You can put the connector in a plastic box if the terminals bother you: http://www.screwfix.com/prods/46538/Electrical-Sup...

Or as has been said, a junction box.

[Ralf Rockefeller]

Thanks for the tip- looks like a job for a have a go hero like myself