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Can you use extension cords as permanent wiring?

Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring. Do not run through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard. Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance.

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Not enough cord for your lamp or radio to reach the nearest outlet? Just plowing through the junk drawer for an extension cord? This may not be a good idea. Extension cords can be very helpful in delivering power right where we need it. However, regardless of the gauge or rating of the cord, an extension cord is a temporary solution and is not meant to be used as a long-term extension of your household’s electrical system. Using extension cords properly is critical to your safety. With continu­ous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers the following tips for staying safe from electric shock and electrical fires: Do not overload extension cords or allow them to run through water or snow on the ground.

Do not substitute extension cords for permanent wiring.

Do not run through walls, doorways, ceilings, or floors. If a cord is covered, heat cannot escape, which may result in a fire hazard.

Do not use an extension cord for more than one appliance.

Heavy reliance on extension cords is an indication that you have too few outlets to address your needs. Have additional outlets installed where you need them. Multiple plug outlets must be plugged directly into mounted electrical receptacles; they cannot be chained together. Make sure the extension cord or temporary power strip you use is rated for the products to be plugged in, and is marked for either indoor or outdoor use. The appliance or tool that you are using the cord with will have a wattage rating on it. Match this up with your extension cord, and do not use a cord that has a lower rating. Never use a cord that feels hot or is damaged in any way. Touching even a single exposed strand can give you an electric shock or burn. Never use three-prong plugs with outlets that only have two slots for the plug. Do not cut off the ground pin to force a fit. This defeats the purpose of a three-prong plug and could lead to an electrical shock. Never force a plug into an outlet if it doesn’t fit.

Use extension cords with polarized and/or three-prong plugs.

Buy only cords approved by an independent testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL), Intertek (ETL), or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).

Extension Cord Designations

S: Designed for general Use

W: Rated for Outdoor Use

J: Standard 300 Voltage Insulation

T: made from Vinyl Thermoplastic

P: Parallel Wire Construction (Air Conditioner Cords and Household Extension Cords)

O: Oil-Resistant

E: Made from TPE

Cord Length and Amperage Limits

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How do you ground a shed?

1) PVC underground dig trench dig it deep enough by referencing burial depth chart. 2) pull in 4 wires to match 50 amp load of new sub panel... (2 hots,neutral, and ecg)from main panel of home to subpanel at shed. 3)drive ground rod in ground 8 feet down til just above grade.

hbiss said: I agree with Larry. Does anybody know what year the Code was changed to allow two ground rods if a single is more than 25Ω ?

-Hal Click to expand...

Mentioning of 25 ohms and additional electrodes if over 25 ohms goes back a long way AFAIK. Oldest code book I have is 1987 and that is mentioned in there.What did change somewhat more recently is in 2011 they rewrote things.Before 2011 it always said something to the effect that if it didn't have a resistance of 25 ohms or less you needed to provide an additional electrode. 2011 and after it says you must have an additional electrode, but then they added an exception that says if a single electrode has resistance of 25 ohms or less the additional electrode is not required.This ultimately eliminated having someone say "I'm not certain if my rod is 25 ohms or less" and not driving a second rod. Now with the wording like it is, you must use a second electrode unless you prove the first is 25 ohms or less.I know most everyone around these parts only drove one rod never measured the resistance and moved on until that change in 2011. Now it is simpler and even less expensive to just drive two rods than to mess with proving the first one is low enough resistance.

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