Obviously done without a permit

[loumoon]

I live in a community near Chicago that requires a permit just for thinking about doing something to your home, so it's clear the previous owner that did this wasn't thinking at all. I'm not an electrician but even I can see that this is wrong. The opener is plugged in with an extension cord and the outlet isn't even grounded. Maybe if it burns down I can have the insurance company rebuild it and then my floor problem is solved.

 

[Tmart86]

This is pretty common (not saying its correct) in older construction when a outlet is not installed near the opener and it is possible the installer for the door opener did this as well. Its really no different than leaving a battery charger etc plugged in.

 

[lakeroadster]

Maybe if it burns down I can have the insurance company rebuild it and then my floor problem is solved.

If it does burn down due to this your insurance will probably not pay since you've admitted on a public forum you were aware of the issue.

In reality, what you have has no doubt been done in thousands of other homes. Older technology wiring utilized for newer technology devices.

In Chicago, as long as you don't let Mrs. O’Leary's cow kick over that lantern in the shed, you'll be ok.

 

[Lassen Forge]

I would fix this and then repost here "Look at the cool permitted work a licensed electrician did for me"...

But double check the codes first, as it may be allowed in your community.

 

[driftpin]

Without going to the NEC book, I believe it says, use of a drop cord in-place of permanent wiring is not permitted.

I do find it highly-entertaining the way the colorful blue drop cord is looped-around and through things on its way to its point of use. Just comparing it to the old original BX, if that's what it is, and the way the original wiring was done, should have served as an example for the installer.

For your own safety, I would re-wire that circular luminaire, it appears the metal helix has separated from the termination fitting, leaving the wire sheathing to chafe-against the sharp edge, as you experience those seasonal 100 degree temperature differentials, and the components expand and contract. Some 14-2 MC should fix that, and protect the run from nibbling by vermin.

 

[loumoon]

If it does burn down due to this your insurance will probably not pay since you've admitted on a public forum you were aware of the issue.

Oh, don't be such a killjoy. I already have plans to update the electric, as the home inspector indicated that this was not only a fire hazard but against local code. The seller is paying for it.

The overhead light is not connected to live wires. I mean to correct that as well as update the fixture, since I plan to use this as my hobby workshop.

 

[sberry]

It's pretty low on risk in the grand scheme.

 

[b-boy]

I have the same thing in my garage.

That, and a section of extension cord that runs behind the wall then through the joists to an outlet in the corner. You have to plug in the cord to turn on the outlet in the corner. I think there was a TV there since there is coax cable hanging out of the wall as well.

I couldn't figure out why the outlet in the corner wasn't working until I traced the extension cord that was powering it.

People do weird stuff.

 

[lakeroadster]

Anybody using surge protection power strips? Better unplug those fire hazards too.. Not!

Fact is, what the OP has isn't a fire hazard at all. It may not meet code, but that size extension cord in that application is not a fire hazard.

 

[Radix2]

I like how they saved the old cover plate as a bit of "wall art" !

 

[PoorOwner]

Anybody using surge protection power strips? Better unplug those fire hazards too.. Not!

Fact is, what the OP has isn't a fire hazard at all. It may not meet code, but that size extension cord in that application is not a fire hazard.

When I changed to a jackshaft opener obviously the outlet was in the wrong spot
I got a good surge protector that is rated 15a to get over to the spot. Liftmaster sells a surge kit which is just a plug in surge plus terminals for the eyes.

 

[Brian_WK]

My neighbor's Garage door opener is plugged into a outlet that is a light socket with one of those adapters from bulb socket to outlet. The switch by the door controls the garage door power..... it has backfired on him many times when his garage door open won't open due to the light switch being off. So is it a bad Idea ya... I think your garage is safe though.

Brian

 

[CoogarXR]

My neighbor's Garage door opener is plugged into a outlet that is a light socket with one of those adapters from bulb socket to outlet. The switch by the door controls the garage door power..... it has backfired on him many times when his garage door open won't open due to the light switch being off. So is it a bad Idea ya... I think your garage is safe though.

Brian

Ha! My grandfather's opener was wired the same way!

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

As a former installer we would tell the homeowner to supply a lead cord so we could test the opener and set the limits if there was no outlet within 3 feet of proposed opener location. On new construction it was common to have no outlet in place when we installed our stuff. We would unplug the extension cord when we left. What happened after that was beyond our control. It was not uncommon to find an old lead cord supplying the old opener. It's not our issue.

 

[rubberrodder]

Dude, that's "effing" scary!
Jeff Foxworthy could use that first picture in his "you might be a redneck if" routine.

 

[Musicinabottle]

Looks like the roof sheeting was redone recently.......

 

[Showkey]

If it does burn down due to this your insurance will probably not pay since you've admitted on a public forum you were aware of the issue.

In reality, what you have has no doubt been done in thousands of other homes. Older technology wiring utilized for newer technology devices.

In Chicago, as long as you don't let Mrs. O’Leary's cow kick over that lantern in the shed, you'll be ok.

This cord is in plain site but the common extension cord failure is under the carpet or covered by debris.
Have seen dozens of fires where the confirmed cause was things like extension cord use, improper generator placement and many other home owner errors in judgement.........never once has the insurance not paid.

Now if a professional installed the opener with that power supply......then subrogation against the installers Insurance would be common place......or........if the opener was confirmed defective, again subrogation against the opener company, installer and seller would be common place as well.

 

[Lelandwelds]

It's pretty low on risk in the grand scheme.

I have the same thing in my garage.

... I think your garage is safe though.

Brian

Ha! My grandfather's opener was wired the same way!

Anybody using surge protection power strips? Better unplug those fire hazards too.. Not!

Fact is, what the OP has isn't a fire hazard at all. It may not meet code, but that size extension cord in that application is not a fire hazard.

People insist plugged in coffee makers are a fire hazard because one burned a house down in the 1970s.

The first offer on my last house was for less than asking and included a long list of counter demands. I instructed my realtor to refuse that offer and all his future offers from consideration.

My house was on the market for two days and sold substantially over asking price. Buyer bulldozed everything on my lot (except the fence I built), split lot in two, and sold both houses before construction was finished.

 

[Hilltopmasonry]

I live in a community near Chicago that requires a permit just for thinking about doing something to your home,

Hum let me guess...elmwood park? Or possibly oak park?

I was bidding on a job and when I called Elmwood Park building department the lady told me you need a permit for everything except for cleaning your carpet! Haha

Ok I guess I’ll add the permit fees to my bid! Lol






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[lakeroadster]

Now if a professional installed the opener with that power supply......then subrogation against the installers Insurance would be common place......or........if the opener was confirmed defective, again subrogation against the opener company, installer and seller would be common place as well.

"Sue Your Bro Nation"... yep, sure seems that way doesn't it.

 

[T_R]

The extension cord isn't a big deal. Probably should put the correct cover plate on the outlet, they are only like $1.

 

[siegsuwa]

Looks about par for the course for Chicagoland housing stock. Lots of oddities everywhere. I wouldn't worry about it too much right now, and draft up your plans for electrical upgrade to the garage.

I live in another suburb that just about requires permits to hang pictures on your walls. It's truly amazing what the previous owner got away with. To be fair I've gotten away with quite a bit myself...

 

[engineer2]

Garages are pretty easy to rewire assuming the service entering the garage is up to code. If it's an older home, it may not be. If you have to **** with outside wiring from the house to the garage, a permit and a knowledgable electrician would be a good choice.

Lots of people in the Chicago area never get permits for indoor work. It's the Chicago way to avoid property tax increases.

 

[siegsuwa]

Garages are pretty easy to rewire assuming the service entering the garage is up to code. If it's an older home, it may not be. If you have to **** with outside wiring from the house to the garage, a permit and a knowledgable electrician would be a good choice.

Lots of people in the Chicago area never get permits for indoor work. It's the Chicago way to avoid property tax increases.

Funny you mention the garage electrical service... I discovered this after I bought my house. Somehow the previous owner managed to build a 3-stall garage without ever pulling a permit. The electrical service to the garage was 14/2 MC buried about 6 inches deep with some EMT on the ends. The entry point to the garage was the EMT just slipped between the bottom sill and 3/4" foam insulation board.

 

[engineer2]

^^Your previous owner is the reason why there are permits and inspections, LOL. Pretty ballsy to build a garage without a permit.
It seems in some areas of Chicago code enforcement is pretty lax. In other towns as soon as tools come out, the building department is knocking on your door.

 

[dave89iroc]

insurance will pay out on stupidity, negligence, etc.

 

[lakeroadster]

Loumoon.. curious, did the inspector who disliked the wiring issue say anything about the condition of the slab?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=384201

 

[engineer2]

HaHa, that's pretty typical of old Chicago garages.

 

[SALIV8]

I live in a community near Chicago that requires a permit just for thinking about doing something to your home, so it's clear the previous owner that did this wasn't thinking at all. I'm not an electrician but even I can see that this is wrong. The opener is plugged in with an extension cord and the outlet isn't even grounded. Maybe if it burns down I can have the insurance company rebuild it and then my floor problem is solved.

Why do you think the outlet isnt grounded?

 

[loumoon]

Why do you think the outlet isnt grounded?

Because the inspector tested it, and it isn't.

 

[loumoon]

Loumoon.. curious, did the inspector who disliked the wiring issue say anything about the condition of the slab?

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=384201

He said it would be costly to repair/replace but it doesn't affect the structure, and to keep in mind that a garage is just a shack where you park your car. I won't be rollerskating in there but I would like a level floor. It is the reason I was able to buy the house in the first place, because the last offer the seller had was from a buyer who demanded they replace the garage floor. The seller declined and the deal fell through. I'll have to check with the local building department to see if replacing only the floor is an option.

 

[lakeroadster]

.... keep in mind that a garage is just a shack where you park your car. .....

Obviously a car guy

 

[hd54kh]

Get the outlet grounded with a GFCI as it is a plugged in opener and not hardwired. Correct cover and good to go. Meanwhile see where else you will need power and take care of it at that time.

If the opener is the only electrical item plugged in to the extension cord it will not burn your garage down. Will not overheat it especially as it is in free air.
Just check to make sure there is no damage to the cord as well.

Not permenant but also not a ticking time bomb.

Terry

 

[checkthisout]

I live in a community near Chicago that requires a permit just for thinking about doing something to your home, so it's clear the previous owner that did this wasn't thinking at all. I'm not an electrician but even I can see that this is wrong. The opener is plugged in with an extension cord and the outlet isn't even grounded. Maybe if it burns down I can have the insurance company rebuild it and then my floor problem is solved.

Drama queen. You could have installed a GFCI in the existing box, run new romex from that box up to a new ceiling with a shiny new outlet and cover in less time than it took to take the picture, upload the photo and make this post.

Just say'n.....

 

[dscheidt]

Drama queen. You could have installed a GFCI in the existing box, run new romex from that box up to a new ceiling with a shiny new outlet and cover in less time than it took to take the picture, upload the photo and make this post.

Just say'n.....

Which would get him a different not-code-compliant problem in the garage.

 

[bcoke]

I may be confused but I realise the opener should plug directly or be hard wired but the non grounding has me puzzled.......did you open the outlet to verify that ????? as I remember that BX cable was two wires and the shielding was the ground "wire" ...... I might be wrong.... IMHO bobbycoke

 

[Falcon67]

2017 code calls for a square knot or sheep shank to secure connecting cords.

 

[Norcal]

Drama queen. You could have installed a GFCI in the existing box, run new romex from that box up to a new ceiling with a shiny new outlet and cover in less time than it took to take the picture, upload the photo and make this post.

Just say'n.....

Romex is not a permitted wiring method in Chicago & suburbs, EMT land.

 

[checkthisout]

Romex is not a permitted wiring method in Chicago & suburbs, EMT land.

Wow. Like Canada.

Must be because it's all older houses that are generally being upgraded from knob & tube?

 

[firebirdparts]

Wow. Like Canada.

Must be because it's all older houses that are generally being upgraded from knob & tube?

extra protection during exchange of gunfire.