Repair broken cable yourself - how it works

You can repair a broken cable yourself. However, this is not always recommended for laypeople. This practical tip shows you how to identify a cable break and then repair it.

You must take this into account if you want to repair a cable break yourself

• The main cause of a cable break is the frequent movement of the cable. This often happens with portable devices such as headphones.
• This usually damages the inner conductor and there is a "loose contact". It can be located by moving the cable.
• Such a broken cable can only be repaired by cutting out the affected area and reconnecting the ends or replacing the cable.
• Please note: A network cable should be completely replaced immediately and not repaired.

Instructions: Repair broken cables safely

1. First locate the cable break by connecting the cable and using movement to determine the faulty location.
2. Disconnect the cable from the power supply and cut the corresponding point out of the cable.
3. Strip the ends with the wire stripper. If necessary, a carpet knife also helps.
4. Take the butt connector and insert both stripped ends of the cable into the butt connector.
5. Press the butt connector together in the middle with pliers so that you can no longer separate the cables. The professional uses the crimping tool here.
6. Heat the heat shrink tubing on the butt connectors on the left and right until it is firmly against the cable.
7. Important: It is better to heat the heat shrink tubing too slowly than too quickly.

Repair the simple cable break with a soldering iron

Note: You can also solder thin cables with little voltage on them if necessary. If the cable is moved more often, soldering usually does not last too long.

1. Follow the first three steps of the instructions above.
2. Slide the heat shrink tubing to one side of the cable.
3. Now solder the correct cables to each other using a soldering iron and tin.
4. Slide the shrink tube onto the solder joint and heat it. The hose contracts and isolates the solder joint.
5. Finally, insulate the entire cable with new insulation.

More tips for hobbyists in the CHIP special issue: screwing, chopping, repairing

The great guide from CHIP - so you get the most out of your devices! 150 pages of professional tips from the editorial team on the topics of PC & notebook, WLAN, multimedia, photo and smartphone. The highlights of the DVD: 77 hardware tools, 16 videos and 1750 products in the test

• Build an SSD using only USB sticks, simply amplify your WLAN and build an iPhone Luper - we show you how!
• In the CHIP kiosk you will find the CHIP special issue either as a booklet or as a PDF for download

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