Cleaning a corroded electrical cord

[signcrafter]

I have an extension cord with 4 outlets on it that was left out in the rain sometime last year and stopped working, it was one with built in GFCI so it just kept tripping. I set it aside until cleaning the garage today found it and decided to take a look at it. I opened it up and it's corroded inside which is causing the GFCI to trip. What is the best way to clean this up and be able to use it again. It was a pretty nice cord and if I remember right it was around 40 bucks. So would like to save it if I can. Is there anything I can wash it out with and scrub it to clean the corrosion off and then let it dry?

 

[JJThrasher]

I'd try a wire brush to cleanup the terminals and connectors. Then maybe some brake clean to clean out the case.

 

[Warrenator]

Try ACF-50 from Lear Chemical. Amazon carries it. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000P1C8UO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It works very well on corrosion and electronics or electrics. I use it on basically any corroded or flaky electrical connectors, seems to work every time. Also will protect metal stuff from corroding in storage. All the things that wd-40 is supposed to do but doesn't, it does.

 

[G_P]

NAPA sells some good electrical cleaner. Use a brass brush and compressed air. Then brush again and spray with cleaner.

Sent from my SPH-M920 using Tapatalk 2

 

[Norcal]

I have an extension cord with 4 outlets on it that was left out in the rain sometime last year and stopped working, it was one with built in GFCI so it just kept tripping. I set it aside until cleaning the garage today found it and decided to take a look at it. I opened it up and it's corroded inside which is causing the GFCI to trip. What is the best way to clean this up and be able to use it again. It was a pretty nice cord and if I remember right it was around 40 bucks. So would like to save it if I can. Is there anything I can wash it out with and scrub it to clean the corrosion off and then let it dry?

Trash it, the electronics do not tolerate moisture well, it hurts to toss out something that is not cheap but I really don't see any good options.

 

[Bull]

Dan Sullivan would say that corrosion isn't ON your cord, that corrosion used to BE your cord. So, I'd say discard it.

 

[Zebu Fellenz]

I would chop the end off and replace it with a single 15A or 20A (depending on wire size) female plug.

GFCI's are finicky in my experience, I have enough issues with them tripping or not resetting when they've never been left out in the rain.

 

[signcrafter]

I ended up cleaning everything up and most of it came clean. It still had no power because of the GFCI. The GFCI is built into the male plug of the cord and has a tamper proof screw so I couldn't take that apart. I just cut that off and put a new male plug end on and all works great now. I'll throw the GFCI part away and just use it as a 4 place adapter. All my outside outlets are GFCI protected anyway so didn't really need another. Thanks for the help.

 

[torqueman2002]

I believe there is dis-coloration on the white insulation in the lower left of the picture related to high current/high resistance/high temperature. You'll likely have lost terminal tension as a result or contributing to the condition.

To be safe, replace the end as others have advised. You can get a water resistant box, cover, cable seal, and install a GFI.

Let us know what you do and how it turns out.

Ooops, a min. too slow. I was typing while you posted. Great job.

 

[HOTFR8]

Dan Sullivan would say that corrosion isn't ON your cord, that corrosion used to BE your cord. So, I'd say discard it.

Plus one on that. Easier to replace it. You never know if you may get a shock from it. You could also replace the fitting but by the time you do that you may also have a new lead.

 

[fflintstone]

just chop the end off and test the wires for continuity. Then put what ever end you want on it.



if you are not worried about the safety Nazi's here you could do something like this.


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196973

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