Electrical cable 'sheath' split - safe to use with electrical tape?

SheldonCooper

SheldonCooper

SheldonCooper

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22 Sep 2016
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46
Hi there,

I have put this question in GD as I guess it is more of a general electrical question than a specific unique to 'Product XYZ'.

So a couple months ago, my Macbook Pro magsafe cable split open in multiple locations along the wire (the part from the brick to the connector that goes into the computer --- the part that can't be replaced basically!). I bought a new one for my every day use but I was miffed to say the least at having to spend £80 on a new charger after less than 3 years of use.

So after doing some reading online, I came to what I felt was an educated conclusion that I could wrap electrical tape around the split parts and all should be good. It was only the white plastic sheath that had split and there was the silver strands exposed but unbroken (that I am now led to believe are grounding wires?).

So what I did in an effort to try and stop the plastic sheathing from splitting any more and try and get some use out of the power cable as a secondary power source when I use my Macbook at my desk was just to wrap the entire cable in thick black electrical tape.

I have been using the cable for a couple of months now and it works.. and I have not been electrocuted, but I have just watched something on Youtube that has kind of made me doubt that what I have done is safe. If the exposed silver strands inside the cable touch the electrical tape... would that conduct electricity and cause a shock?

Sorry if this sounds dumb. Any thoughts welcomed!. Thanks
 
Assuming its the wire from the Macbook itself to the PSU brick then that is low voltage and should be perfectly safe - electrical tape is non-conductive. If its the cable that connects to the wall itself then that would be a big no-no but those don't usually have an earth/ground sheath.

Electrical tape isn't a good long term solution really for this though - something like "super flexible heat shrink tubing" (get a size that will fit over the connector - though a bit tricky as it might not get a good fit when heated) would be a better long term solution.
 
That'll be fine, just don't agitate the cable too much. If you are using it at your desk it'll be no problem.
 
The silver strands you see are likely either shielding or mechanical protection for the internal cables so I wouldn't worry too much. Electrical tape or as mentioned by Rroff some heat shrink tubing could be a better solution if you can get something with a high shrink ratio.
 
Should be fine.

For future reference I prefer a good quality heat shrink over electrical tape, preferably an adhesive lined one.

You’ll probably find the adhesive in the tape will fail over time, especially on a cable that’s flexed regularly. Cheaper stuff leaves a horrible glue residue too.
 
Thanks guys.

I wrapped the entire cable in electrical cable and used quite a lot of it - so it is probably not possible to remove it and use heat shrink tubing stuff. I rarely use the cable - once or twice a week at desk, so based on your comments, I should be fine.

Thanks again!.
 
SheldonCooper said:
Thanks guys.

I wrapped the entire cable in electrical cable and used quite a lot of it - so it is probably not possible to remove it and use heat shrink tubing stuff. I rarely use the cable - once or twice a week at desk, so based on your comments, I should be fine.

Thanks again!.
Click to expand...

I think you’ll be fine anyway, it’s a preference more than anything.

Enjoy :)
 
I had exactly this issue around 18 months ago. I originally thought it was due to a dodgy socket not providing the needed current but as you'll be aware, it seems to be a rather common issue with Apple chargers.

I too went down the electrical tape method, the cable surprisingly lasted up until last month, every day use without issues. Until the positive actually disjointed inside the cable. Now here's the fun part. When I saw the price of a new charger I tried to take the DIY approach. Now this may only be the case with a US charger but the sheathing you see is actually the neutral, it surrounds the positive. It's a two wire cable as opposed to the 3 wire I expected. Which you can imagine caused quite the hassle when attempting a repair job...

It may also be worth a scout around a certain local electronics store if the doors haven't been shut yet as I managed to pick up my replacement charger at a heavy closing down discount.
 
Seems to be a very common thing with Apple chargers :s it amuses me at work as people bring their one in once they've got to the point they've brought a replacement and patching it up so people have something to charge with at work if needed - they never last long before having to be chucked - been through 4-5 at least since the start of 2017.
 
I’ve repaired cables like this before.

I cut the cable, removing the frayed parts. Bunched the neutal on both cut ends and soldered both together (I sometimes tin them, or i fray the ends and interlock them before soldering), heat shrinking with a long length of good quality adhesive lined stuff. I then soldered the live and heat shrinked that in the same manner.

I covered it all with a rigid meltable heat shrink to protect the joint and put any strain into good cable. Cables have never failed at the repaired point, so it’s how I tend to do it now.
 
Rroff said:
Seems to be a very common thing with Apple chargers :s it amuses me at work as people bring their one in once they've got to the point they've brought a replacement and patching it up so people have something to charge with at work if needed - they never last long before having to be chucked - been through 4-5 at least since the start of 2017.
Click to expand...

i've never seen an apple charging cable that looked good, and it cant be likely that everyone i've ever seen use one just doesn't look after them.

meanwhile i'm still using a microusb charger so old i can't remember what device it even came with.
 
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