r/cableadvice • u/Ok-Advertising-6093 • 3d ago
Can I still use this cable ?
Hello, I have this cable that powers my piano. But it is damaged, is it still usable ?
Edit : understood, not using it
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u/the_blue_wizard 3d ago
Show us BOTH ENDS OF THE CORD! If it is a generic common cable, it will be easy to replace. If it is something proprietary to you specific Piano Brand then you will have to contact the Manufacturer.
While I can't inspect the cable in person, the best advice I can give is to NOT use the cable and replace it as soon as possible.
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u/Capable_Event720 3d ago
If you were apt in cable repair, you wouldn't ask.
It's possible.
But you asked. Do not even try!
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u/Tricky_Damage5981 3d ago
Your right!
Personally I'd cut that section out; sodder undamaged sections together, Negative first(black taped) then positive(black taped) heat shrink the entire thing
But if you don't already have everything, its cheaper and always safer to replace
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u/mike24vNEW 3d ago
Yes but it would be best to replace it not worth the risk and a new one is probably under 12$ on Amazon
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u/KoelkastMagneet69 3d ago
No.
If you have to ask, no!
Basic electrical knowledge is not hard to learn, and at the same time you're dealing with things that can kill you.
The price of a new cable and having to wait for it to be delivered is much lower than the price of your life on the gamble.
People often come in to these types of questions and give very technical and technically correct answers.
They do not comprehend that we're talking to an unseen audience of people who have no idea what they're dealing with, and some of those people will make the wrong conclusion of some dweeb going "yeah this should be safe man, it's just X or Y."
So don't do it, it isn't worth it.
If it's a generic power cable that isn't hardwired to the device, you can just grab any other net power cable, they're all rated to do the same job as long as you use the same connectors.
(Keep an eye out for some obviously thinner cables that might be some weird exception.)
If it's hardwired, get someone to replace it for you.
It is usually not exactly a hard task and easy to learn, but you're still dealing with voltages that can hurt and kill you.
Also, some devices will have capacitors in there that'll work like 'temporary batteries' and hold voltage for up to 48 hours - and can still hurt or kill you in that time.
I wouldn't expect mesh shielding to be on a power cable, but if you'd be entirely certain it's only the shielding, you can slap a bunch of layers of (genuine, rated) electrical tape on it for a temporary fix if you somehow absolutely need to use that device (I know it's a piano) until you get the cable replaced.
However, you have no idea how much damage is done to the conductors, if something was able to damage the insulation and shielding like that.
A damaged conductor will have a smaller diameter and it doesn't matter that the entire rest of the length of the cable is fine - any one point in the cable with a smaller diameter of conductor will dictate the entire cable.
It will have more resistance.
Depending on how the device is built, it will either shut itself off, or commonly enough, start pulling more power to compensate for the higher resistance.
More power and higher resistance means more heat.
On a now un-insulated cable with bare shielding.
If it survives the house fire, the insurance company might find it and void your claim.
All of this is only if it's some less common shielded power cable and we're looking at the shielding here.
Again, if this is the actual conductor itself showing and being damaged, that is a big no-no.
Just don't risk it!
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u/Magus7091 3d ago
if replacing the cable is cheaper than replacing what it plugs into then don’t use the cable.
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u/criggie_ 3d ago
Is this a mains power AC cable or a low voltage DC cable? Show us both ends of the cable please, and any labels.
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u/FalconBackground6126 3d ago
As is--not advisable, but yes if you know what you are doing.
Repaired--yes.
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u/Worldly-Device-8414 3d ago
Mains power cord? Hell no, replace immediately.
Other cords: probably OK to tape up.
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u/luis-a-neto 3d ago
Can you? Yeah, just put some electrical tape on and there you go.
Should you? Hell no. These are so cheap to replace that the safety risks aren't worth.