Idiot cut into microwave cable

[arthur22]

Through a combination of a cramped kitchen with a stupid layout and a total fool (me) I have managed to cut into the microwave cable, literally slice into it with a sharp knife.

There was a flash, bang and the MCB for the kitchen sockets tripped. Once I had stood there for five minutes pondering my astonishing idiocy I tried turning on the MCB again and it turned on. I was considering my next move when the fridge came on as well, so the kitchen socket circuit is working.

The microwave is very old so I will just get rid, but my question is could I have damaged the socket itself, wiring in the walls or MCB in any way? Can I use the socket still? The cable is fairly long so it was cut about 80cm or so away from the plug. Many thanks for your advice.

 

[EFLImpudence]

If you mean you cut the cable between the plug and the microwave, then just connect another plug (assuming the original is a moulded plug) to the remaining good cable and carry on.

 

[arthur22]

I did indeed cut the cable between the plug and the microwave unit itself, thank you for your answer.

 

[333rocky333]

Should be fine, hopefully you have now pulled the plug out of the socket and keep it away from anyone or kids likely to plug it back in, the fuse in the plug may well not have blown.
Sometimes the fault current can damage the switch on the socket, so plug in something else and check it sill operates on/off ok.

 

[bernardgreen]

and keep it away from anyone or kids likely to plug it back in

if is a moulded on plug then bend the pins to make it impossible for it to be plugged into a socket and then put it in the rubbish bin.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

if is a moulded on plug then bend the pins to make it impossible for it to be plugged into a socket and then put it in the rubbish bin.

Cut through the cable, where you damaged it with a knife, then dispose of the plug along with the short piece of cable.

 

[sparkwright]

If you accidently cut the microwave cable, I suspect you were nowhere near the plug end or the microwave end.

If the damage is somewhere near the middle of the length of cable, join the cable with a 3 terminal in-line flex connector, typically rated at 13 or above amps.

 

[opps]

If you accidently cut the microwave cable, I suspect you were nowhere near the plug end or the microwave end.

If the damage is somewhere near the middle of the length of cable, join the cable with a 3 terminal in-line flex connector, typically rated at 13 or above amps.

And then wrap insulation tape around it?...

 

[BS3036]

And then wrap insulation tape around it?...

Yuck!

 

[opps]

Yuck!

I was surprised by Sparkwright's post. I now realise that he means one of those push click type of connectors. I misunderstood his intention.

 

[JohnW2]

I was surprised by Sparkwright's post. I now realise that he means one of those push click type of connectors. I misunderstood his intention.

In fact, I don't think he meant a 'plug/socket'connector at all but, rather, just one which was hard-wired, such as ...

... but why anyone would think of wrapping one of those in tape, I don't know!

Kind Regards, John

 

[opps]

In fact, I don't think he meant a 'plug/socket'connector at all but, rather, just one which was hard-wired, such as ...

View attachment 246482

... but why anyone would think of wrapping one of those in tape, I don't know!

Kind Regards, John

I mistakenly thought he meant one of these

Hence my surprise... until I reread his post

 

[Munroast]

Put a new cable on it ! joining it in the middle
complete waste binning the microwave,

Out of curiosity how damaged was the knife blade - any photos ?