Plug-in GFCI

[NitroPress]

Maybe I'm the last guy on GJ who didn't know about these, but I found it at Lowe's and it solved a bunch of little problems for me:

Plug-In GFCI Adapter (This link is to HD, there are several makers available from almost any hardware store.)

I've seen pigtail extension cords with GFCI, but never an all-in-one little module like this. The pigtails can be pricey ($20-30), this was $13. Great to have in the toolbox - thought I'd pass it along for anyone who didn't know they existed.


The long story is that I was shopping for extension cords to throw in our house emergency box. We have a standby generator, but it only powers the master bedroom suite upstairs and it took 9 days of a power outage for me to dimly figure out that life would be more convenient if I could run a power cord down to each of the kids' rooms and let them have a lamp. I was actually on my way to town when my wife called, ecstatic that the power had finally come back on. Good thing, because there wasn't an extension cord to be had...

The other part of the project was to put a GFCI on the MB socket I was going to use, so that the extension cord runs would be safe, especially into the upstairs bathroom. (The generator provides water pressure and hot water, so the bathroom is useful... just dark.) I never mind putting a GFCI in any socket but I didn't want to muck around installing one... so when I told my boy, "No extension cords, let's go find a GFCI" it was his sharp eye that spotted the plugin module on the bottom shelf with the (nonexistent) cords.

So now the emergency box has a GFCI I can plug in anywhere I need to run extended power. Pretty soon it will have three pretty blue extension cords that match the big blue generator cable I'll use to route power out to the hallway... and the whole color-coded set will power my wife's office, the kids' rooms and the upstairs bathroom with a minimum of hassle and no need to go drag in grotty shop cords.

I think I'll get another GCFI module to go in my electrical service box...

 

[sberry]

Running a couple cords around will work, it isn't going to hurt anything but I wouldn't panic about gfci everywhere. Grounded equipment it likely wouldn't matter, don't think I would beat *** to the store if I didn't have it. Not like its a sure bet you gonna die if you plug something into an outlet without gfci.

 

[sberry]

I ran into an ungrounded switch box with a fault in it the other day, was climbing around this thing too. I stopped and fixed it even though I was in hurry, some ole farmer cobbled it up. Driving to the store during outage is statistically way more risky though.
As a side note we had a kid killed near here last summer on a big municipal boat dock/handrail. In theory all wired by the best licensed professionals. This is where often handymen and maintenance types fall short. It would be interesting to look up the forensic outcome.

 

[JimDon]

I make up my own in a variety of sizes. Bggest transfer box has 7 duplex outlets that are all GFCI protected. I never worry about gfci protection when I am out working in someone's home, but anythig outside, especially in a garage , or in a basement on a concrete floor, and I set up with a GFCI protected line. I have it so I do not have to worry if the homeowner's GFCI circuits are installed correctly, are working correctly, or have been tested regularly. I know that my GFCI outlets will protect me in that situation. I have also had mine fully protect me when I grabbed a power tool with a HOT case in one hand, and a fully grounded case in the other hand. Seemed like an eternity before that millisecond trip occurred, but am sure glad it did. I could NOT let go of either. If not for my J-box protecting me, I would not be here typing this.
Cheers,
JimDon

 

[NitroPress]

Running a couple cords around will work, it isn't going to hurt anything but I wouldn't panic about gfci everywhere.

In my specific case, it would involve running an extension cord into the bathroom for a freestanding lamp of some kind - that plus kids deserves the protection. I'm not much worried about the bedroom runs but thought it would be worthwhile to protect the whole array while I'm at it. Power-out situations lead to fatigue, crankiness, and just plain poor judgment... so the extra watchdog is probably sensible.

 

[gatchel]

If I plug any extension cord in to an outlet in a handful of our customers sites without a GFCI module (Which I have to provide), I will be asked to leave and not come back. They work well.

 

[sberry]

Seems if it was required the customer in this case would be in violation?

 

[NitroPress]

Seems if it was required the customer in this case would be in violation?

Maybe not. Outlets require GFCI if they are outdoors, near water piping or other major grounding hazards, etc. Plugging in an extension to drag 25-50-100 feet away changes the equation and brings in hazards not necessarily native to the outlet's location.

 

[Teken]

This is a excellent topic . . . I have been fortunate to have been provided several work related cord / GFCI add on box's for this exact same scenario . . .

People often say *If you're careful all is well* In my personal experience there are too many variables and unknowns when it comes to kids, weather, and environment where emergencies affect the thought process . . .

Good on you for taking that extra step!