Is it possible to fix shorts/opens in a wire?

[Arkitech]

Over the years I've parted ways with speakers, usb and network cables, headphones, gamepads, mice, keyboards, joysticks, etc.. all because the cables and wires tend to get shorted out over time. Is there a way to fix a wire or make a replacement once it goes bad? If I could figure this one out I can dust off some of my old speakers and use them again.

 

[Aluvus]

If it's shorted, replace it or cut out the shorted section and make a splice. If it's open, replace it, repair the broken section, or cut out the broken section and make a splice.

It's possible to repair many kinds of damage to wires, but your question is essentially equivalent to "My head hurts, can I make it stop hurting?" Sure, if your head hurts because of sinus problems, a pill can take care of that. But if you have a nail embedded in your skull, that requires a rather different solution.

Headphone cables, for instance, are generally replaceable (with a bit of doing, unless the 'phones are actually built to be taken apart) but not generally repairable. Cat5 cables are easily replaceable but repairable only in the sense you can cut off one end and then crimp on a new connector.

tl;dr: It depends.

 

[MedicBob]

Any wire can be fixed. It just matters if you have the skill, correct tools, and knowledge to do so. Very fine wires in alot of what you are asking about that I think would be very challenging to repair and might not be worth the effort and risk further damage to the equipment if done wrong. Of course, if it doesn't work now, what's the harm?

 

[Atheus]

Originally posted by: Arkitech
speakers

Definitely, just chop the broken bit out, strip the ends, and twist a new bit in.

Normal house wiring is fine, in fact, you might replace the whole thing with house wire - that thick copper works really well.

usb and network cables

These have really small wires wrapped up in that cable and are very sensitive to the quality of wiring, so you're less likely to get a good result.

gamepads, mice, keyboards, joysticks, etc..

Chop away.

 

[lenjack]

I think you're getting opens, not shorts. A short would blow a fuse or trip a circuit breaker. Yes, you can fix opens as others have indicated.