Tumble dryer power cable been crushed but insulation not burst

[Mmcgar]

I'm just wondering peoples thoughts on this as I have no idea how thick the insulation generally is on these cables.

Today I had to move the tumble dryer (to get access to washing machine which has a pump fault - one of those days) and noticed that the power cable has been crushed in 2 places (basically been trapped under the dryer by the looks of it).

The insulation is intact but as it stands I have no way of seeing condition of inner cores, the machine has been working fine but I'm a bit worried they have been crushed/damaged and could become a hazard.

So basically I'm wondering if anyone knows much about these cables or has seen similar damage, if the outer insulation is quite thick then I might be ok, if it's not then I might be a bit dodgy.

Only way I can think to properly check is to cut a section of outer insulation out and inspect but I don't particularly want to permanently alter/damage the cable like this, anybody have any other suggestions?

I did try to find a replacement power cable for this model but only found 1 place selling it but on a 28 day delivery (they also said they couldn't accept PayPal on it and had to be CC only which rings alarm bells for me)

Any help or advice is much appreciated
Position 1 (worse of the 2)


Position 2 (not as bad, but maybe "slight* split in insulation

 

[jj4091]

If the machine is working OK, has a 13A plug & the socket is rcd protected then I would not worry about it. Just ensure it is well away from the underside of the drier when you refit it.

 

[blup]

You would need to carry out an insulation resistance test to check if the conductors/earth were unacceptably damaged. It would be cheaper to buy a replacement cable, or chop off the damaged part and joint in a new cable and plug rated at 13amps.

Blup

 

[bernardgreen]

If the machine is working OK, has a 13A plug & the socket is rcd protected then I would not worry about it.

As blub has said. The Earth conductor could be damaged. Even with the Earth conductor cut the machine will still work. But if it develops a fault and the un-Earthed case becomes Live then you will not know about it until someone gets an electric shock from the machine.

With no path from the case to Earth there can be no earth leakage current so therefore the RCD will not operate. Only when someone touches the Live machine and creates a path to Earth can the RCD operate. It should operate fast enough to prevent the shock lasting long enough to be fatal

 

[jj4091]

Can't disagree with the above comments theory, but looking at the pictures makes me seriously doubt there will be any damage to the cores & it would appear to me highly unlikely that just the earth core might have been.

 

[bernardgreen]

appear to me highly unlikely that just the earth core might have been.

One in three chance if one core is cut, the fact the machine is working proves that if a core has cut then it is the Earth core

 

[jj4091]

One in three chance if one core is cut, the fact the machine is working proves that if a core has cut then it is the Earth core

Quite right, but there is nothing to suggest it has or hasn't been cut & in my thought is that it is highly unlikely looking at the pics.

 

[Mmcgar]

One in three chance if one core is cut, the fact the machine is working proves that if a core has cut then it is the Earth core

I suppose I could do a continuity test between dryer shell and earth pin of plug?

 

[jj4091]

Yes

 

[bernardgreen]

I suppose I could do a continuity test between dryer shell and earth pin of plug?

That should be done when any cable is damaged and not replaced..

Ideally with a test current that would ensure that most of the copper strands are intact.

Continuity testing will show continuity if all but one of the copper strands are broken, In the event of a fault that single strand could melt leaving the appliance un-earthed and with a fault that makes the now un-earthed metal Live.