popeyemth wrote:
Electrical tape is called exactly that because that's what it's for
I would much rather have the insulation repaired than have the wires "cut off" and spliced back to length
The suggestion that the wires be replaced ...
Surely you are not seriously suggesting the entire wire harness be replaced for that is the only way to do that.
Apparently you are not aware the individual wires you see are just the ends separated from a molded set of three. Google "Romex" to see what kind of wire is used.
Repairing the insulation is completely acceptable to an electrical inspector.
Good Luck, Mike
First, tape isn't used in a load center other than to identify a wire to it's phase. Second, the insulation jacket can't be repaired after it has reached those temps causing it to melt. Third, you do not know if those neutral wires are from a a NMB jacketed cable or are THHN. Fourth, the proper repair is to replace the neutral bus as the excessive heat has altered the physical characteristics of the metal, the thread tap, and maybe, the lug bolts. Strip back the burnt wires to good jacket insulation and install into a new neutral bus.
The loose wires may be your only problem. BTW, after all is resecured, the load center should be tested to make sure that everything is as it should be, this requires a meter.
