Repairing cable on heated towel rail

[robwhite2005]

Hi,

In our bathroom we have a chrome electric towel rail, its a micromark mm53638.

A while ago the dog chewed through the cable while it was turned off, just as the cable enters the shroud at the bottom.

I disconnected the cable from the spur in the next room but now need to rewire it. When we installed it came pre flexed ready to be wired straight into a spur.

Can the cable be replaced or would it be a new towel rail? There is a locknut above the shroud, would i be able to join it in here or would it leak oil from there?

Thanks, Rob.

 

[STI]

The electrical connection for the incoming flex should not be in contact with any fluid in the rail. So if the lock nut you refer to just removes the shroud around the wiring no oil or other liquid should leak.

To be extra cautious take the rail of the fittings turn it upside down and then remove the shroud. But that would be being extra cautious

Sorry forgot to add make sure you replace the cable like for like ie same (thickness) CSA

 

[bernardgreen]

Might also need to be heat resistant cable,

and if the dog still lives there maybe SWA ( steel wire armoured )

 

[robwhite2005]

cheers for the replies.

Just nipped out and got some 1.5mm heat resistent flex, i'll have a bash later on.

Think I'll undo the nut slowly with a bowl underneath just incase.

 

[EFLImpudence]

I think these are merely normal rails which have been fitted with an element (see bleed screw blanks on the top and bottom each side) so would say oil will definitely leak if you unscrew the element.

On the plus side a new element wont cost much or involve much work but, as said already, turn upside down.

 

[robwhite2005]

just taken the towel rail off and it is one sealed element pre-wired with flex, so I'll just get a new element sorted out tomorrow.

Cheers for all your advise.

 

[TicklyT]

How about one of the bitter tasting nail varnishes that's supposed to stop people from biting their nails applied to the flex to prevent a repeat performance?

..... On second thoughts, it may not do much for the plastic cable sheath, so maybe try it on the old flex first....