dog chewed on power cable

[replicator]

Ok, this might be a silly question, but I don't know anything about electric cables. Anyhow, my jack russell just partially chewed through a power cable connected to an electric heater in my room. Thing is, this cable is permanently attached to the heater so I can't just replace the cable. Looking at it, there are are bunch of copper strands exposed, and about 1/4 of them are torn. Luckily this thing wasn't plugged in when the dog chewed it and I was able to catch her while she was munching.

So, can i just push the strands so they all touch and just wrap it in electrical tape? Or is this thing done for now? I haven't tried to replug it in yet.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Picture of cable
the muffster behind bars

 

[amdskip]

I would cut the cord off and purchase a new electical plug for the cord.

 

[nineball9]

Electric heaters usually draw a lot of power, typically 1250 to 1500 watts. Because of the heavy current draw, they usually have heavy duty AC power cords (16 AWG ?). Simply squashing the copper strands back together is not an effective repair for a damaged cord.

Sure, you could tape it up and plug it in and the heater would work. However, this would present a safety issue - effectively you will have reduced the current capacity of the cord. This will cause the cord to run hotter, possibly creating a fire hazard.

R & R the cord with an appropriate replacement, or replace the heater.

 

[replicator]

Thanks for the reply.. I will see if I can find someone who can do a professional repair on this cord. It is actually a big heater, and quite expensive. I need to get it fixed since it is my parents and they'll pester me on how the dog is out of control, etc.

Thanks

 

[Bassyhead]

I agree with the other replies, you should definitely replace the cord.

 

[lucky9]

There are safe ways to splice the cord. Go to an electrical supply store (NOT a super store). They're in the yellow pages. Tell them what you want to do. Take the info (AMPS etc) off of the heater with you, You'll need them. The only reason it can't be repaired is if it's very close to the heater and the manufacturer made it difficult/impossible to get inside the heater.

 

[Gravity]

Lucky9 has a good point. If you can get inside, you can make the replacemnt directly to the unit. No splicing, which is preferred.

Is your dog still alive?

 

[lucky9]

Originally posted by: Gravity
Lucky9 has a good point. If you can get inside, you can make the replacemnt directly to the unit. No splicing, which is preferred. Is your dog still alive?

Sounded like he is. But he was lucky.

 

[replicator]

Thanks for all the comments. I will try to take this in soon as I find a place and have the time.

The dog is well, since it wasn't plugged in. It isn't her first time though. She is about 7-8 months old and has already chewed up my thinkpad ac adapter while it was plugged in! It started to smoke and of course i had to get it replaced. My warranty wouldn't cover it, because they said it was user damage.

I need to start dog proofing everything, but it is difficult in a full house.

Hopefully I can train her to stop chewing on wires.. I got a few kongs, rawhide bones everywhere, pig years, all littered around the house. Dunno why she chooses the wires.

 

[compudog]

Hopefully I can train her to stop chewing on wires.. I got a few kongs, rawhide bones everywhere, pig years, all littered around the house. Dunno why she chooses the wires.

It's a stage. If you firmly and consistently correct the dog each time you find a chewed cord she will get over it. You need to provide the pup with lots of praise everytime you see her chewing a dog toy and negative & forceful scolding when she chews something she shouldn't. Everyone in the house should do this.

 

[optimistic]

My dog is acting the same way! He chewed up my secondary pair of glasses, twice! Got it fixed twice. My Logitech headphones. My snowboarding goggles, my plastic fan grill for my comp, and dozens of pens. Mind you I don't leave stuff on the floor, most of my stuff are on dressers and inside backpacks. We ran out of rawhides a month ago, I need to get some more. Maltese1 yr.

 

[RickH]

I would plug the heater back into the wall. If the dog starts chewing again, tell her "no". If she doesn't pay attention, replace the cord and bury the dog. Problem solved! R

 

[wetcat007]

cut it off and get a new cord end for it, solder the wires together then seal it with heatshrink tubing.

 

[jelloinhawaii]

For a cable that runs to a wall outlet, you don't want to just splice the cable and solder them. Make sure you use a load-bearing splice method, such as a western union join (http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/curr_content/paasurvey/elec/lesson5/lesson5.html), solder it, and heatshrink it. That way nobody jerks the cord and gets fried later on down the road. Also, high-energy breeds like Jack Russells tend to chew on everything until they are five or six. Good luck training her.