| Electrical - A/C & D/C Wiring, Junction Boxes, Switches, Receptacles, Fuses, Breakers, GFI'S, Main & Sub Panels. |  12-01-08, 06:14 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | does paint-on insulation for wire work? I was drilling next to the wire that runs to the outside condenser. The spinning chuck must have touched the big black wire, because I noticed that the black insulation was gone in one place and I could see the copper of one wire shining in the light. I have seen paint-on insulation for wires -- does this work? I do not want to have to replace the black wire, but I want to be safe. Can anyone help? |  12-01-08, 06:23 PM |  | Topic Moderator | | Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,130 | | | Did you compromise the size of the wire by gouging any of it away? Is this wire inside or outside? __________________ All answers based on National Codes. Please check with your local building departments for local amendments. |  12-03-08, 01:35 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: nw Indiana Posts: 39 | | | a good TEMPORARY fix is to wrap the exposed part in electrical tape. Use good tape like scotch 33+ ( becareful to avoid the bargain bin tape.) wrap the exposed part and about 2 inches befor and after the expose part. If this wire is outside than do the same but if possiable urn the breaker off to the condensing unit to avoid any problems |  12-03-08, 05:13 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | The wire is inside the house. And, no, I don't think any of the copper was removed -- just the outside black insulation for all the wires, and the inside insulation for the white wire. The exposed area of wire is about 1/3 of an inch long, but very narrow -- I can best describe it as looking like a scratch in the white insulation. |  12-03-08, 05:19 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | The problem is I cannot wrap tape around just the exposed bit of white-insulated wire because the wires are still tight up against each other within the outside black insulation. I would have to peel back the outside black insulation to get enough slack to wrap the tape around the exposed single wire. the wire is located inside the house. You stressed temporary fix -- does that mean that the whole wire should be replaced? |  12-03-08, 06:59 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Texas Gulfcoast Posts: 4,136 | | | Yes, the wire has to be replaced. Alternately you could cut out the damaged section, put in two junction boxes, and use them to splice a bridge between the cut sections. The covers for these boxes must remain accessible. Or you could use one Jbox at the damaged section and run new wire from there to the AC. Last edited by ray2047; 12-03-08 at 07:33 PM. |  12-03-08, 07:24 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: nw Indiana Posts: 39 | | Quote: Originally Posted by rambelmont The problem is I cannot wrap tape around just the exposed bit of white-insulated wire because the wires are still tight up against each other within the outside black insulation. I would have to peel back the outside black insulation to get enough slack to wrap the tape around the exposed single wire. the wire is located inside the house. You stressed temporary fix -- does that mean that the whole wire should be replaced? | ok first thing shut off the power to the wires. now you have less to worry about for now. If there is little room to get tape on the wires, you can try cutting the tape in to pieces about 3-4 inches long and wraping it like that. The best way is to just go with a replacement box and put splices inside there. by the way what guage is this wire |  12-04-08, 10:01 AM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | It is for the outside condenser, and it looks like it might be #8-- the circuit carries 60 amps. |  12-05-08, 01:47 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: nw Indiana Posts: 39 | | | have you decided on a final plan of action ? |  12-08-08, 05:58 AM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | I had wanted to avoid putting in a juntion box, but it looks like that is what I will be doing. Then running a new wire from the cable box to the outside condenser unit. Will that splice cause any problems for the condenser? |  12-08-08, 09:31 AM | | Topic Moderator | | Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Near Lansing, Michigan Posts: 5,149 | | | It should be fine as long as you use the right size wire nuts for the conductor AWG. __________________ Good luck with your project!  -Ben |  12-08-08, 06:19 PM | | Member | | Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 117 | | | thanks -- and thanks for all the help | | Thread Tools | | | | Display Modes | Linear Mode | Posting Rules | You may not post new threads You may not post replies You may not post attachments You may not edit your posts HTML code is Off | | | All times are GMT -7. The time now is 02:16 AM. | Sign up for our FREE newsletter! Find Qualified Local Contractors Sponsored Ads |