Mending electrical cable on vacuum cleaner

tipsychick

I've just hoovered over the electrical cable on my brand new Sebo vacuum cleaner.

The outer plastic casing on the cable has been chewed up in a couple of places, exposing the copper coloured wires underneath. (Sorry I don't know the correct terminology!) The metal wires themselves don't look chewed up at all.

Needless to say, Sebo don't guarantee the cable but will sell me a new handle/cable for £35!

Does anyone know if I'd be okay just covering the exposed wires with electrical tape like this one?

http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=915516&Trail=searchtext%3EELECTRICAL+TAPE

I've only had it a month and given I only caught it for a second, I'm amazed I haven't done it before and I'm probably bound to do it again at some point! It's never happened on the Dysons, Electrolux, etc. I've had before...

ktuludays

you can cover it with insulation tape as long as you can isolate the strands from each coloured cable. you don't want to cover them and then short them together as this will trip your rcd

ideally the damaged needs to be removed and the cable repaired properly.

if you are near to me, i'll happily do it for you. i live near lincoln

Inactive

Replace the cable, you don't need to give Sebo £35 :eek:for one, any correct size cable of the correct type will do.

tipsychick

Thanks ktuludays

There aren't any coloured cables (like you'd see when changing a fuse in a plug), just one thickish, coppery-coloured wire underneath the plastic cable.

Unfortunately I'm in London . Maybe it's going to need to go for a proper repair after all!

ormus

which model is it?
any handyman should be able to change the cable for a few quid.
use the cable from virtually any old vacuum cleaner.

ormus

or cut out the damaged part and use a rubber plug/socket to join it again.
(making sure the male part goes on the appliance side).

about 3 quid.

tipsychick

I think replacing the cable itself is going to be beyond my v. limited capabilities but I think I might be up to cutting the damaged bit out and using the socket thing in the picture you posted ormus.

I can't cut it out with a pair of normal scissors though, can I?

And it's a Sebo Automatic X4.

Thanks everyone!

tipsychick

I've now found this online where someone's asked the same:

http://www.fixed4free.com/answers.php?id=245723

I'm going to see if I can get my handle as far as the reply states tomorrow and if it looks like it'd be fairly easy to attach a new cable into the handle myself, then I'll go and buy a new one from a DIY store and have a go.

At least I should be able to just copy however the cable is attached to the handle, as that's all okay on mine still.

Failing that, I'll have to get it repaired. I know the local electrical shop will charge at least £25 (yes really!) because when the cable on my old Dyson came loose a year ago that's what it was. Ironically that's largely why I've just got a new machine because it didn't seem worth spending another £25 on a 10 year old Dyson!

Oh well, wish me luck!

27col

You would probably find any number of cables attached to old vacuum cleaners at the local amenity tip. they would let you have a length very cheaply. Examine it closely to ensure that the insulation is not damaged in any way.

totalsolutions

You must use some knowledge and buy some good quality tools. Don't use tape it will fail and <kill> someone. Don't use a rubber plug/socket, it shows your poor skill level and you may put the live mains on the wrong end and <kill> someone.
Do the right thing here it is really simple and straight forward skill to learn to replace the lead, over the years you may have to do it a few times.

Get a new flex (with a molded plug).

wallbash

Get a new flex (with a molded plug).

Get the correct flex and install a standard plug.