worn cracked insulation on alternator

[cranswick]

l know little about car engines, l have a 20 year old camry  l noticed the plastic/rubber round top insulation on my alternator l think its called the " lug insulator  is worn and cracked in half,could somthing have caused it or is it old age and wear,l attached a similar photo of mine l found on the internet and the insulation on the wires underneath was worn off, l replaced that insualtion by covering those wires with silicone insualtion  tape , l hope that wasnt a mistake. But should l take my car into the mechanics to replace the lug insulator , how imortant is it. 

Edited July 16, 2023 by cranswick

[cranswick]

Hi just to update l got a mechanic to check he said he thinks it was caused by mice eating it and he put some fresh insulation on it