diff --git a/code/modules/power/cables/cable.dm b/code/modules/power/cables/cable.dm
index 4681f851c04..c67ec5e8ff0 100644
--- a/code/modules/power/cables/cable.dm
+++ b/code/modules/power/cables/cable.dm
@@ -119,12 +119,20 @@ By design, d1 is the smallest direction and d2 is the highest
 		return
 	if(!I.use_tool(src, user, 0, volume = I.tool_volume))
 		return
-	if(powernet && (powernet.available_power > 0))		// is it powered?
-		to_chat(user, chat_box_examine("<span class='notice'>Total power: [DisplayPower(powernet.available_power)]\nLoad: [DisplayPower(powernet.power_demand)]\nExcess power: [DisplayPower(get_surplus())]</span>"))
-	else
-		to_chat(user, "<span class='warning'>The cable is not powered.</span>")
+	to_chat(user, generate_power_message())
 	shock(user, 5, 0.2)
 
+/obj/structure/cable/proc/generate_power_message()
+	if(powernet && (powernet.available_power > 0))
+		return chat_box_examine("<span class='notice'>Total power: [DisplayPower(powernet.available_power)]\nLoad: [DisplayPower(powernet.power_demand)]\nExcess power: [DisplayPower(get_surplus())]</span>")
+	else
+		return "<span class='warning'>The cable is not powered.</span>"
+
+/obj/structure/cable/examine(mob/user)
+	. = ..()
+	if(isobserver(user))
+		. += generate_power_message()
+
 /obj/structure/cable/wirecutter_act(mob/user, obj/item/I)
 	. = TRUE
 	var/turf/T = get_turf(src)