Example of fine electrical wiring practices. Use of extension cords.

Published by Don Hester on

Example of fine electrical wiring practices. Use of extension cords.                     Wenatchee Home Inspection Services.
Extension cords should be used only on a temporary basis! Correct?

Often during a home inspection I will see them used for much more than this.

The NEC in section 400.8 states “Uses Not Permitted” for flexible cords and cables.

·        As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.

·        Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors.

·        There run through doorways, windows, or similar openings.
·        Where attached to building surfaces .The Start- Extension cord used as branch circuit

Here was particularly creative version of this practice of improper extension cord use.

Here is the cord as it exits the building.

extension cord through wall structure

Garden hose conduit in tree

Now we have that run that goes from one structure to the next using the old garden hose conduit system, a very fine variation of electrical conduit (look closely as it runs through the tree).

Next… of course running through a metal building adds to the beauty of this installation.

Extension cord entering outbuilding

But when using such good practices we must be sure to terminate in a proper fashion as demonstrated here.

Proper termination of an extension cord

Sometimes you wonder how someone does not get hurt.

“A discovery is said to be an accident meeting a prepared mind”

Albert Szent-Gyorgyi

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is a Licensed Washington State Home Inspection service located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…

509-670-9572                         don@ncwhomeinspections.com

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