A rodent has chewed wires, can I put electrical tape around it to fix it?

Question

A mouse or rat has chewed the parts of the jacket layer off some appliance cables in the garage. Is it safe enough to wrap electrical tape over the gaps to fix them? Or what can I use instead of electrical tape?

Muhammad · Accepted Answer

Hi. It isn't safe to put tape around to make safe because 
Mouse will come back and start to chewing the cable again. 
For making the cable safe run new cable through flexible 
Trunking and do something about mouse before he does
Further damage to other electrical components. Regards 
Muhammad Afzaal

Scott · Answer

If any copper cable is on show then I would advise you not to just tape it up. Have the cable replaced possibly in a conduit to help prevent any more damage from animals. Or to simply have the damaged part made of in a junction box. Stay safe.

James · Answer

Hi I would agree with most statements, but if there is no copper exposed then it would be fine to use tape. After all when and Electrician makes a solid connection with something like thro crimps he would use tape over the joint. But I presume it's white PVC cable and if so the rats will only chew it again.
They don't normally chew the stuff for some funny reason. But yeah as a temporary measure use tape. It's better than leaving it exposed. Also get rid of the rats.

William · Answer

Hi,
It's not advisable to just tape unsheathed live cables, either cut out and join with correct connectors and protection or seek electrician to re-wire and check all the cables in that area to make sure they are all ok.
William Stevenson

Kiefer · Answer

I would strongly recommend replacing the wire.
1. The current will not pass through sufficient enough
2. It is an extremely dangerous fire hazard.

Feel free to contact me to discuss further

Lee · Answer

Yes you can use electrical tape but turn the electric off first, and possibly get an electrician to look at it.

Christopher · Answer

I would suggest that you hire a competent electrician to completely rewire that particular cable for long term safety reasons and they can then provide you with a minor works certificate which you can produce in the future if necessary, and for further maintenance purposes so another electrician can be made aware on future test & inspection purposes.

Abu · Answer

No, a qualified electrician has to change the cables

Michael · Answer

Hi Jonathan ,

Personally I would not advise it.

Really the cable should be cut and stripped back and put in a mechanically sound junction box or replaced completely.

Have a good day

Michael Wood Electrical Limited

Michael · Answer

No you don't have to apply electrical tapes.
To avoid partial contacts of the chewed cables, you need to have the damaged cables removed and replaced. 
You have to engage the services of a qualified electrician to access the extent of the damage.

Hannah · Answer

No we don't advise to cover it with insulation tape. It can be fixed but with a connector unit

Ryan · Answer

No, you can not do that you need a jointing connector then put the joint in a proper joining box.

A rodent has chewed wires, can I put electrical tape around it to fix it?

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