lolaetype
Well-known member
I haven't read every post so this may or may not have been mentioned. I'd repair the cord with a single outlet male end and when the need arises use one of these.
Extension cord repair ideas
- Thread starter Chukster
- Start date
whateg01
Well-known member
Some people worry too much
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
I knew one electrical inspector who would go to construction sites and do inspections on temporary electric (lights, GFI’s, generators, etc.) and if he came across "hacked up or modified" electrical cords he would make the contractor either cut the ends off the cords or face a penalty because the equipment was no longer UL listed.
welder4956
Well-known member
Even if it had a UL listed connector or plug on the repaired end?
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
The listed extension cord is tested and listed as a COMPLETE extension cord…… Both ends, wire, jacket and then approved if it passes. "IF" you alter ANY part of the cord then you have just voided the listing of that cord. I know this sounds petty and some will "debate" me, but that is the reality.…… "IF" you have an incident (fire, burn, electrocution, etc.) that may have involved the "altered" cord, you may have a problem "IF" the incident involves the cord.
BTW! A good 50’ extension cord is "inexpensive" compared to the hourly rate for an attorney consultation…….. So toss those worn out cords and you might thank me later.
American Locomotive
Well-known member
I'll let you know how it goes when the next electrical inspector comes to my backyard and sees my modified cords.
OSHA says you can repair cords ...sorta.
Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
April 4, 2010 Letter # 20070926-7973 Re: Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. Question: Where an extension cord being used in construction has been damaged near the plug end, is it permissible to replace the plug with an approved cord cap made for that type of cord...
If it's a cord made with separate "listed" SO/SJ cord and listed cord ends, you can repair, replace and modify it to your heart's content, as long as the components you use are listed. You can even make cords in the field as long as it is with listed cord and cord ends.
It's get a little tricky when you get on to factory made cords with molded ends. The above document from OSHA implies that it is okay to repair cords, but the verbiage they use is up to interpretation. They say it's okay to repair the cord as long as you return it to the state it was in "as approved" (as in, as how it was tested by UL, ETL, CSA, whoever).
There's some debate about what "as approved" means. Does it mean with molded cord ends? That is essentially impossible to achieve in the field; or does it just mean with a quality, listed, 3-prong cord end?
Edit: I've written a question into OSHA. Let's see what they say.
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dave*99
Well-known member
That one *****. Near impossible to plug or unplug in the cold.Interesting. I purchased what Dustball had linked to, not a Coleman Cable product. The outlet I ended up with has a smaller diameter pin position, plus the bent locking tang is oriented opposite the one I purchased. The one I purchased is not NEMA rated, which I now understand you are referencing but is ETL, whatever that is, and OSHA rated. Check the item screen shot and the package. I’m old and miss things, but in this case I just can’t find it and am tired of messing with it.
dave*99
Well-known member
I don't know what you bought but it's important to note the locking tangs on 20A and 15A versions are opposite each other on L5.
niget2002
Well-known member
Only partially plug it in and give it some time. It'll warm itself up.
I'm with you on the so/sj cordage made up with cord caps. All of these components were listed with the full knowledge that they will be built up in the field.I'll let you know how it goes when the next electrical inspector comes to my backyard and sees my modified cords.
OSHA says you can repair cords ...sorta.
Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. | Occupational Safety and Health Administration
April 4, 2010 Letter # 20070926-7973 Re: Whether extension cords may be repaired and returned to use. Question: Where an extension cord being used in construction has been damaged near the plug end, is it permissible to replace the plug with an approved cord cap made for that type of cord...www.osha.gov
If it's a cord made with separate "listed" SO/SJ cord and listed cord ends, you can repair, replace and modify it to your heart's content, as long as the components you use are listed. You can even make cords in the field as long as it is with listed cord and cord ends.
It's get a little tricky when you get on to factory made cords with molded ends. The above document from OSHA implies that it is okay to repair cords, but the verbiage they use is up to interpretation. They say it's okay to repair the cord as long as you return it to the state it was in "as approved" (as in, as how it was tested by UL, ETL, CSA, whoever).
There's some debate about what "as approved" means. Does it mean with molded cord ends? That is essentially impossible to achieve in the field; or does it just mean with a quality, listed, 3-prong cord end?
Edit: I've written a question into OSHA. Let's see what they say.
I doubt 1900 boxes with recepts were ever tested for use on the end of cords, so that is a likely an outright fail. (But who knows! I dont care enough to check.)
I think it is still a slippery slope for repairing a complete cord set that had molded ends as part of the original testing/listing.
Temporary wiring as defined in NEC or portable equipment?
bwringer
Well-known member
After my Dad died, I inherited, along with the house and the large piles of junk inside and outside the house, an enormous WWII era welder my Grandpa had somehow acquired and dragged home sometime after the war.I read on some welding forum about wrapping some mastic type electrical tape and then some 3M (33 or 77?) tape over that.
Reason is I had a rat got in my garage and chewed through some brand new welding leads and an extension cord. Those animals are bad!
Anyway, doubt it's OSHA complaint. Good thing OSHA doesn't mess with homeowners. The way I see it is any electrical tape is better than exposed wires
The ancient welding leads had been "upgraded" with lengths of cheap vinyl garden hose pushed over the crumbling 1940s rubber. No telling how much welding Grandpa and Dad had done like that.
After one peek inside at the crumbling mica, rubber, and plastic insulators, the battered, rusty relic was given a place of honor in the scrap pile.
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
Temporary wiring AND portable equipment.…….. Check those tools with the ground prong cut off or failing cords.
These were large commercial/industrial jobs NOT the guy or homeowner working on a small residential job. OSHA will also issue violations if they show up and see "modified" cords or equipment.…… Never F around with OSHA so the "right thing" and trash those cheap POS cords, because all it takes is one call from a "pizzed off employee" to OSHA and they will show up and issue violations.
BTW! I have seen 250’ of romex stretched out with cord caps and it was ran across a public road to a construction site…….. I use to cut the cord caps off and then cut the romex.
Chuckster in NJ
Well-known member
The "next inspector" could be just like me and "won’t see it"…… I only did inspections on work that I had permits for unless it was a "eminent hazard" or a true "life hazard violation" like a swimming pool without a barrier, second floor deck rails removed, storage of gasoline inside boiler rooms, etc.
BTW! I saw many ****** extension cords and "modified" tools that "I did not look at" because I was busy looking at the work that was on the electrical permit……. However if I had an "open permit on temporary wiring" (large jobs) I would give a warning about any violations that I would find and that would include failing cords and if the violations were not corrected on my next visit then there would be problems and some unhappy contractors. Most of the "large jobs" have their own safety personnel who would flag violations on a regular basis.
OSHA guy is the grim reaper for employers. No question on that part.
I think any electrical inspector doing this is overstepping his/her authority. I get the safety concern and good intention but someone could easily push back. Seems like the right thing to do is call the OSHA man for an informed "random" visit.
The public space (road) is a different story. Even here, it could be call the PoPo b/c something "blocking" the public road.
OSHA has a place in industry for the insurance reasons and all. Just making it home alive is nice after all.
But if an extension cord is repaired using quality parts, installed correctly there should be no reason to not use them at home well away from industrial sites.
I have built quite a few over time, they are everywhere in my home by now.
A funny incident, I was in Home Depot buying a -battery- trimmer and needed 15m of zip cord for another project.
The guy cutting the bulk wire warned me twice my trimmer would need a heavier wire or it might get hot.
I told him twice that this wire would not be affected by this trimmer.
He finally looked a bit harder, hoping to change my mind or something, then realized it's a BATTERY trimmer and it didn't use a wire.
I am in Mexico and usually anything goes on safety so it was odd that he thought about it at all.
Years later the zip cord is still in occasional use with its little light bulb too. Everything is fine.
But if an extension cord is repaired using quality parts, installed correctly there should be no reason to not use them at home well away from industrial sites.
I have built quite a few over time, they are everywhere in my home by now.
A funny incident, I was in Home Depot buying a -battery- trimmer and needed 15m of zip cord for another project.
The guy cutting the bulk wire warned me twice my trimmer would need a heavier wire or it might get hot.
I told him twice that this wire would not be affected by this trimmer.
He finally looked a bit harder, hoping to change my mind or something, then realized it's a BATTERY trimmer and it didn't use a wire.
I am in Mexico and usually anything goes on safety so it was odd that he thought about it at all.
Years later the zip cord is still in occasional use with its little light bulb too. Everything is fine.
The 1st one I had actually did that and melted itself to the point I'm not sure how it didn't catch fire.
gahrajmahal
Well-known member
At the time I restarted this thread, I had woken up to my extension cord with four outlets having spent the night in a rain storm facing up. Tipping it over water ran out of the four ground pin holes. I thought Dustball’s suggestion and link three outlet with twist lock seemed like a good solution for me. I’ve had extension cords with a three outlet end get loose, causing me to have to wiggle tools I’ve plugged in to get them to work. I figured tossing the short twist lock adapter after wearing out, would solve this problem. Sad that the adapter turned out to be a poorly made unmarked item. Both items I bought have been returned and I will just buy a new extension cord with three outlets. All the safety discussion here has made up my mind.
Codyboy
Well-known member
meh. Most of my cords look like that. They've been like that for years and they work just fine. No damage to the conductors or the insulation. If your concerned just wrap some tape around it.