Accident chopped off the grey wire in a 3 core.

[ZippyMo]

Friends,

Whilst helping a friend with the 2nd fix on a job, I've accidentally sliced off the grey conductor in a 3-core cable like a total --------. What now?

Can I reconnect it using a wago connector? Or is that going against the regs?

Someone help!

ZippyMo

TraineeSpark and sausage for not paying full attention to what he was doing.

 

[Dustydazzler]

Presumably you are talking about a lightning cable in a back box
then yes if you have about 10mm to play with you should just about be able to get a wago onto it

 

[ZippyMo]

Yes I think I have just enough to squeeze into a wago. I wasn't so sure about the regs side of it.

 

[Dustydazzler]

If it’s in a back box then it’s fine

 

[ZippyMo]

If it’s in a back box then it’s fine

Top man. Thanks for the advice.

 

[Andy78]

Good point of research for a trainee to look up in the regs though.
Look at section 526

 

[telectrix]

might be easier to use an ideal in line splice connector if cable is tight, coz. the wires go in end to end, not both same way as in a wago.

 

[7029 dave]

How the hell did he/ you manage that.?

 

[ZippyMo]

How the hell did he/ you manage that.?

Whilst splitting the sheath to expose the wires, the grey one was still camouflaged within the sheath as I trimmed them of. Cutting the grey wire in the process.

 

[Rpa07]

Stripping back using the cpc - you then have to count the conductors before you cut the sheath - he didn’t!
I did it once on a 3 core and earth but had plenty in the cavity stud wall - I always remember that moment when I’m second fixing and cutting the sheath!

 

[Rpa07]

It’s better to learn from others mistakes but otherwise, learn from your own! just more expensive is all!

 

[7029 dave]

I don't see it, when cutting back what any method, the sheathing will be floppy, if a conductor is still stuck in, it will still be rigid. YES/ NO, however never made that mistake. lol

 

[freddo]

Lol I've done it, second fixing in a mad rush. Would likely have noticed if it was the old colours. The cable was rather rubbish at the time and the outer sheath thicker and more rigid than it should have been.


Well that was my excuse.

 

[littlespark]

I bet their was a few choice words being shouted at you.

Some t&e or 3 core can be a mess. The sheath brittle and basically stuck to the inner insulation. I can see how easy it is to miss a grey core within a grey outer sheath.

If there’s no room for a WAGO, or don’t have a line splice as suggested, just use a small choc block connector. It’s not in an inaccessible location.

 

[ZippyMo]

I bet their was a few choice words being shouted at you.

Some t&e or 3 core can be a mess. The sheath brittle and basically stuck to the inner insulation. I can see how easy it is to miss a grey core within a grey outer sheath.

If there’s no room for a WAGO, or don’t have a line splice as suggested, just use a small choc block connector. It’s not in an inaccessible location.

Lol...no words were shouted at me as I haven't told anyone yet...lool!
But its good to know how easily the mistake can be made.