Drilled through cable in wall, can I fix? (Photo)

[Sam22]

Drilled through cable in kitchen wall, tripped the fuse box. Switched back on and everything works apart from the cooker hood.

I've called electrician and explained, given me a quote of £120 plus VAT. Is that reasonable?

Is this something I can fix? If so, how? I have basic electrical skills (i.e I can install a new light fitting, install a dimmer switch, change a plug, etc...!)

 

[Sam22]

Thanks for your replies. The large cut out of plasterboard is just what a did so I could see the damage, I'm only putting shelves up so the shelf brackets could easily go slightly to one side, just my luck I've gone directly where a cable is.... Should have known, there's a switch directly beneath.

 

[Sam22]

No, that would be somewhat dangerous.
The joint needs to be made in a suitable enclosure or the sheath suitably reinstated. The joint must be made in such a way that it may be classed as maintainence free if it will be inaccessible in the future.
The circuit must be tested to ensure that it is safe to be re-energised.

You should switch the circuit off until it is repaired, the damaged cable presents a risk of fire and of a potentially fatal electric shock.

Is there any other connection I could make that would be suitable? What about wago connectors? Or junction box in plastic casing?

 

[Midwest]

yeah, but in oxfordshire you have lobster and wine. up here we survive on a wrights pie and a pint of ale.

Because the pads down here are so expensive, we have to survive on dripping and dirty water. I draw a line at Paul Masson plonk though

 

[David M]

Is there any other connection I could make that would be suitable? What about wago connectors? Or junction box in plastic casing?

If you plan on leaving the joint easily accessible then its an option, assuming there's enough slack and can be terminated correctly. But If you intend to plaster back over the joint then no they would not.

 

[David M]

£120 is a bit steep. i'd sort it for a lot less, and properly tested.

Yep £120 is a days labour up our neck of the woods. I wouldn't mind a few of these jobs a day, I'd only have to work 3 days in stead of 7

 

[Rpa07]

This is obviously a bigger company because of the VAT, you could try a quote from a more independent electrician and stipulate that you require a maintenance free joint in a cable you drilled. May be a less expensive mistake to put right.

 

[Rpa07]

Just to add. It's not really an ideal wall for a shelf because of the cavity but if you intend to just use the plasterboard, check 'ultimate handiman' on YouTube with his reviews on plasterboard fixings.
It would be a bit of a windup as you wouldn't have needed to drill so deep and wouldn't have blown the cable! Sorry!

 

[Octopus]

Maybe get another quote or 2?

 

[Richard Burns]

Any junction to be made in the cable would need to be maintenance free and depending on the space between the plasterboard and the wall it is likely that a maintenance free junction box would not fit, also the two cable ends would not reach sufficiently into the terminals.
If there is a switch directly below then it should be possible to draw up another cable from the switch and then joint the cable with enough slack to allow a good connection. However an alternative to a junction box would be needed to fit the space.
The quote you have sounds more like they will be replacing the entire cable run from switch to (presumably) cooker hood.

 

[telectrix]

Because the pads down here are so expensive, we have to survive on dripping and dirty water. I draw a line at Paul Masson plonk though

what's wrong with paul masson red? wine is OK and if you drink it in bed, you can use the bottle as a pi$$pot after. also useful as a piggy bank for £2 coins ( assuming you have emptied the pi$$ first ).

 

[charlie76]

Any junction to be made in the cable would need to be maintenance free and depending on the space between the plasterboard and the wall it is likely that a maintenance free junction box would not fit, also the two cable ends would not reach sufficiently into the terminals.
If there is a switch directly below then it should be possible to draw up another cable from the switch and then joint the cable with enough slack to allow a good connection. However an alternative to a junction box would be needed to fit the space.
The quote you have sounds more like they will be replacing the entire cable run from switch to (presumably) cooker hood.

Crimp and heat shrink sleeve. Last resort jointing it though, i'd be wanting to run a new cable.

 

[LankyWill]

All this needs is a simple crimp in the wall, i wouldn't be messing around replacing the whole cable. £120 is a bit steep for what is a 30 minute job, i reckon more like £70-85 seems more fair.

 

[paul291277]

Aren't Wago's MF so would be fine in a choc-box if concealing?

 

[Risteard]

Aren't Wago's MF so would be fine in a choc-box if concealing?

No they are not maintenance-free. Wagos are only maintenance free when used in a Wagobox and not inside anything else.

 

[Midwest]

.... Should have known, there's a switch directly beneath.

You're not the first and won't be the last, almost did it myself once