What is the recommended action if you encounter an overheated cable?

When encountering an overheated cable, the recommended action is to de-energize and inspect it. The reason this approach is key lies in safety and the potential risks associated with an overheated cable. An overheated cable can be a sign of poor connections, overload, or degradation of the insulation, all of which can pose serious fire hazards or electrical shock risks.

De-energizing the cable ensures that you eliminate the risk of electric shock while you assess the situation. This step is critical before any inspections or repairs can be performed. Once the power is off, you can safely investigate the cause of the overheating, look for any signs of damage, and determine whether repairs or replacements are necessary.

The other options, while they may seem tempting, do not address the underlying issues in a safe manner. Cooling the cable with water could potentially cause further damage or create hazards, wrapping it with insulation might not resolve the problem and could hide the risks, and using a thermal camera, while it can help detect hotspots, does not substitute for the need to ensure safety by de-energizing and inspecting the cable thoroughly.