In article ,
says...
Keith wrote:

On Wed, 15 Mar 2006 12:48:09 -0600, Bud-- wrote:


Keith Williams wrote:


In article .com,
says...


Andy asks:

One of the local electrical codes where I live is that all outdoor
extension cords have to be type SJ.

I have noticed that there are several types of cords that start
with SJ , such as SJTW, SJOO , etc.


Yes; 'S' = "Stranded wire" with rubber insulation, 'J' is for
"Junior" (300 vs. 600V), 'O' for "oil resistance", etc.

http://www.systemconnection.com/down..._cord_glossary.
pdf



My question is, " As long as the cord type has "SJ" in the
designation, do they ALL satisfy the code requirement for SJ cord ?? "


It seems silly to specify 'SJ', rather than some sort of weather
rating (SW, perhaps and 'S' is superior to 'SJ'). Rubber isn't the
only material that makes decent exterior cable either. Maybe
someone writing the local codes doesn't know what they're
specifying?


S is "service" - virtually all cords are stranded.


According to what I've read (and implied by the link I gave),
service == stranded.


A good answer based on the link. But stranded is rather silly since most
all cords are stranded.

If they're not, they're not type 'S' and not "service". ;-)

The NEC says S = hard service cord and SJ = junior hard service cord.

Perhaps, I've heard both used where service == stranded.
^
|
+ defined to be

Many of the Sxx cords have a heavier jacket (as you said) than SJxx and
should be acceptable in any reasonable code. (Some do not - SPx, SVx and
others)
STxx and SJTxx are thermoplastic.

Any SJxx should be acceptable - including SJTxx [as should heavy jacket
Sxx]

I presume the code wants a level of ruggedness for exterior extension
cords - excluding the typical interior SPx "zip" cords. It also excludes
heavy duty flat cords, often yellow, which are common and IMHO heavier
duty than SJ.


I see the real problem with this sort of code is that rubber isn't all
that great when exposed to UV light. There are many better alternatives.
Sxxx is nice stuff, but expensive and not necessarily the best for outdoor
extension cords. ...not to mention that black isn't the best color for
such things. I'd think orange and yellow would be much better. Again, I
suspect the person who wrote this *local* code didn't think it through.


Most usage is temporary any way. Black plastic sheeting has a degree of
UV resistance because of the black pigment. Might be true of the black
jacket (or might not). If thermoplastic is better STxx, SJTxx could be used.

My point about black wasn't the color's inherent UV resistance
rather it gets hidden more easily, thus yellow/orange is a better
alternative, on the ground, around lawn mowers. ;-)

The description of the code and inspector gives one an appreciation of
how bad it can be.

Indeedy. The OP is right and just do what the inspector wants.
This one isn't worth a fight. He may need to save that for
something more important.

--
Keith