Repairing an underground electric line

 

Things can go wrong with underground cables outdoors, especially when lawn equipment is involved. If it turns out that one of your underground cables has been cut, you can use a splice kit to repair it.

Purchase electronic monitoring equipment

If you don't know the location where the line was cut, you can purchase electronic locating devices at most electrical supply stores. These devices require some basic knowledge of electrical circuits and also a little patience.

Dig up the affected cable

First, make sure you shut off the main power before digging up or repairing the underground power line. Then, use a non-contact voltage tester to check that the line is no longer energized.

Then dig along the line of sight between the exit and entry points of the power cable.

Purchase junction boxes and cable connectors

If you want to add additional circuits to your existing underground cable, you should purchase waterproof junction boxes that allow the connections to be made inside the box. This protects the connections from corrosion caused by moisture and chemical elements from the surrounding soil.

Special sealing box cable connectors provide a watertight seal for the electrical wires that enter the box. They are a must when connecting wires in the waterproof box. They have silicone inside the connector that seals out moisture after you insert the wires.

However, do not reuse them once you have removed them, as pulling them off can remove too much silicone and make the can no longer waterproof when reused.

Use a splice kit

A splice kit with an in-line connector securely joins the two ends of a break in polyolefin tubing that shrinks under heat to make a watertight connection. Inside the shrink tubing is an adhesive layer that melts when heated.

This coats the joint and covers the wire with adhesive, which escapes from the ends of the tubing as it shrinks. This method can be used when the cables are laid deep in the ground and can not be damaged by contact with garden tools.

Call the Emergency Electrician in Bolton. We are 24 hours available. After your call, we send immediately the right electrician to do the repairing. Call us now, 01204918005.