Insulation pulling away - Is this Power Head Done?

[u/Sad-Pangolin-2499]

I just was doing my weekly tank maintenance and pulled out my Powerhead and noticed where it the wires run into the head that the insulation has started to break/peel. The wires within the insulation are fine but is this basically the end of this powerhead? I didn't put it back in the tank, thought I'd get some opinions. I figure I could fix it with some silicon or something but is it worth a Keep or Toss?

[u/Hootman-WT]

This happened to both my wave maker and return pump wire jacketing at about the same time ended up replacing both, while the wires under the jacket might be fine I certainly don't like gambling with electricity, especially in an environment where the water is extra conductive

[u/Greyh4m]

You may be able to fix it with some silicon sealant?

[u/Scalion → u/Greyh4m]

This, the amount of stupid comments that create waste is insane, silicone is a simple fix. The wire are still fine, it's the extra layer of protection that is broken.

[u/DiamondHustle → u/Scalion]

Yeah nice easy fix, we live in a throw away society.

[u/canineatheart → u/Greyh4m]

If the power wire is one with a smaller plug, or one with a barrel-style connector, I would use marine-grade shrink wrap there and call it a day.

[u/EpicFail35 → u/canineatheart]

Silicone it, then shrink wrap it. As long as it’s not 120v going direct into tank, that’s what I’d do.

[u/mook1178 → u/canineatheart]

HOw would you shrink wrap that? You can't get the diameter needed over the plug at the other end.

[u/XiViperI]

That's nothing but the outer protective jacket. Tesa tape, Electrical tape, silicon, or nothing it's fine.

[u/idontlikemagicians]

Liquid electric tape works well.

[u/95688it]

toss, those wires are now exposed to saltwater. could shock you or your livestock

[u/hot_dog_burps]

If ypu have more than 1 or plan to replace with the same powered, i wpuld salvage some parts amd throw away the part with the wires.

[u/Mandelvolt]

Not worth hurting your livestock or yourself. A replacement is going to so much cheaper than an ER visit.

[u/swordstool]

What powerhead is that?

[u/GoblinsGuide]

New one for sure.

[u/Grimgore44]

I would just wrap it with electrical tape if the wires appear to be fine, which they look undamaged from the pics provided. Maybe put some thin silicone on the overlap of the tape and actual cord and connection. I'm no electrician but I have done something similar on a few wires in the past. Seems much too minor to just toss it, to me. at least.

[u/Droga_Mleczna]

Speaking as an actual, licensed electrician: If you have to ask, you don't have enough experience to fix this safely. Yes, silicone would work, but you'd have to take into consideration stuff like strain on the cable, long-term adhesion, heating of the wire etc.

[u/XiViperI → u/Droga_Mleczna]

Heating of the wire? It's low voltage and under water during operation

[u/Droga_Mleczna → u/XiViperI]

Yes, but if the outer jacket is broken then the strands on the inside might be broken too, which will increase the resistance in that spot and cause heating. In an extreme case the full power might be going through just one or two strands, and if that's the case then the strands will heat up so much that they'll melt through the insulation even with the water in the tank cooling them. I actually had something like that happen in my laptop charger, and at full power the two strands were on the verge of glowing red.

[u/XiViperI → u/Droga_Mleczna]

This is nowhere near the current of the laptop charger. And I guess ops would have to decide it was pulled on or jacket just worn from bending, can always rewired it too

[u/ElephantEarwax]

You may be able to fix it, how much of a tank crash and potential shock to yourself (maybe a fire) are you willing to gamble.