help ive cut through my hedgetrimmer wire

samarnesen

well it wasnt me it was my over keen son who did it its a complete clean cutright through the lead i thought i read somewhere that you can buy some kind of connector that will fit it back together
i only bought it yesterday :mad: so if theres anyway i can fix it rather than throw it away then thats what i'd rather do
any help would be greatly appreciated

Flyfisher_2

something like this should do the job

http://www.diy.com/diy/jsp/bq/nav/nav.jsp?action=detail&fh_secondid=9290407&fh_view_size=6&fh_start_index=12&fh_location=%2f%2fcatal!!!1%2fen_GB&fh_search=Cable+Connectors+&fh_eds=%c3%9f&fh_refview=search&ts=1216376933434&isSearch=true

search for- Masterplug Heavy Duty Rubber Lead Connector 2 Pin (1 Gang) NC10/2 Orange

andrew-b

Yep a connector like the one above should do the job.

If you didn't have an RCD circuit breaker connected please do make sure you get one before anyone uses it again as well as observing other basic safety precautions like putting the cable over shoulder so it's out the way and wearing safety glasses.

Cordless hedgetrimmers are a far safer option but i don't suppose the shop will take your one back now the cable has been sliced!

samarnesen

thanks for that both
we did have a circuit breaker and glasses
i didnt see any cordless ones when i bought it otherwise i think i wouldve got one of those

dander

I know the feeling, I've done that too a few times! This is what I reconnected mine with http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/BRH65Z.html

I would love a cordless hedgetrimmer, but all the ones I've seen have quite a short working time on each charge, and I've got quite a lot of hedge, so they're not really practical. I worry that they'd be very heavy too - be interesting to hear what other people think.

benood

I used to have a cordless - it was ancient but ideal for a small hedge and certainly not heavy. We now have getting on for 100m of hedge and the only thing better than my petrol cutter is persuading a friendly local farmer to cut them with his tractor attachment!

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Well done on the RCD - bet you thanked your lucky stars for your good sense - and teach him the safest way is to drape the cable along his forearm and over his shoulder so it's always in sight.

Incisor

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

To be honest, good quality terminal block and insulation tape is sufficient, but you can get the equivalent with a moulded plastic cover nowdays (try B&Q or an electrical repair/parts shop). Well done on the RCD - bet you thanked your lucky stars for your good sense - and teach him the safest way is to drape the cable along his forearm and over his shoulder so it's always in sight.

Wow that is tightfisted. And if the the end of the cable connected to the mains slips out of the block, anyone following that advice might find their fists so tightly clamped that they never move them again, even with an earth leakage trip.

TimBuckTeeth

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

To be honest, good quality terminal block and insulation tape is sufficient, but you can get the equivalent with a moulded plastic cover nowdays (try B&Q or an electrical repair/parts shop). ..........

Dangerous and incorrect advice. A terminal block and insulation tape should never be used for repairing a cable, especially one on a hedgetrimmer.

• There is no cord grip to retain the cable so the cable can easily pull out, exposing bare live wires.
• The insulation thickness is not adequate.
• It is not waterproof so not suitable for use outdoors.

Purpose designed waterproof connectors or removing the case and fitting a new cable are safe ways of repairing.
As mentioned above- always use an RCD on electrical equipment used outside.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

So I didn't know the right names for the plastic covered thingy...sorry. I'll mention your expertise to the person who provided the information...a workshop repair manager dealing with electricals. I hope that no one cuts their hedge in the rain. And I would have thought that if the end connected to the mains were to slip out from underneath the same type of connectors that go into the new thingies, it wouldn't affect the person at the other end as they would be touching the disconnected end as the circuit would have been broken?

Ah, semantics...how I've missed them.

spakkker

I cut through a lead in similar manner ONCE. The point being that I clearly was not being careful enough. Now I take more care when I use power tools in the garden.
As for the method of repair I would remind myself that I, personally, would be using the tool in question.
Water-proof should be read as water resistant IMO. Water and electricity do not mix and to use 240 volt power tools in wet conditions is stupid and dangerous.