connecting electrical cords in a home
 

Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

Be smart,,, buy a longer cord. You could be asking for trouble by rat
shatting a bunch of cords together.

Trust me,,, I've seen what happens when trying to take short cuts.


tr wrote:
Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

tr wrote:

Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR


If you are willing to take the time you can do a creditable job by
soldering the wires together, shrink tubing over the individual joints
and then shrink tubing over the whole spliced area and about 1-1/2" of
the cable jacket on each side of the splice. I can't comment on NEC
relative to that.

It takes a bit of planning and the correct sizes of shrink tubing. I
strip the wire ends only about 1/4" and interdigitate the strands before
flowing solder into the joint.

Works for me....But, if you don't have the equipment and skill, take the
safe route and buy longer extension cords.

Jeff

--
Jeffry Wisnia
(W1BSV + Brass Rat '57 EE)
The speed of light is 1.98*10^14 fathoms per fortnight.

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

If you are willing to take the time you can do a creditable job by
soldering the wires together, shrink tubing over the individual joints
and then shrink tubing over the whole spliced area and about 1-1/2" of
the cable jacket on each side of the splice. I can't comment on NEC
relative to that.

It takes a bit of planning and the correct sizes of shrink tubing. I
strip the wire ends only about 1/4" and interdigitate the strands before
flowing solder into the joint.

Works for me....But, if you don't have the equipment and skill, take the
safe route and buy longer extension cords.


It's not so much the splice, but the legality of having an open splice
in a non-approved box. There are temporary boxes for sale (for
locations like construction sites) with legal bushings, covers, etc.

If your slipshod spice causes a problem (fire, electrocution, injury)
you might be responsible for the damages.

Beachcomber

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

On 12 Nov 2006 09:51:58 -0800, "tr" wrote:

Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR

I have used a butt splice kit to splice a feed to a well. The kit has
a heat shrink that fits over the butt splices (you need a 20$ tool for
this or a friend that has one) You can use a blow dryer or propane
torch to shrink them. This was then buried in the ground.

I don't know if these are permitted on an exposed connection. The
instructions on the kit should say.

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

tr wrote:
Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR


Don't think NEC has anything to do with extension
cords. There are a lot of ways of connecting
these. I hope you are not using extension cord
wire for permanent in house wiring! That would be
a problem.

Those clip on type connectors, where you push a
sharp point into the wire, should be left to low
amp uses--10 amps or less (you said it was heavy
duty wire so I assume more than 10 amps). If
appearance is not a problem, just solder the wires
together and wrap the joint with tape. If looks
is a problem the best solution would be to just
buy the cord in the lengths needed to eliminate
joints. Or, you could just buy plugs and sockets
and install on the cut ends and plug them together
(buying new wire lengths would probably be
cheaper). Or, you could buy and use plugs,
outlets, and metal boxes to connect the wires

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

It's already mentioned that it's a poor and probably unsafe idea to string
extension cords together. But if you feel it is safe for whatever your
application is, why not just put an outlet on the end of one and a plug on
the end of the other? Of course I'm taking your subject as worded - you
are talking "in a home" and not "outside a home". All bets are off if you
are speaking of such a junction in an exterior application. I'm also not
sure what kind of "lights" you are referring to in your last sentence.


"tr" wrote in message
ups.com...
Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

Sounds like an electrical fire waiting to happen. If you need a
longer cord, replace it with a longer cord that is UL approved. Or,
better yet, install an outlet where power is needed. Extension cords
are only intended as a temporary arrangement.

On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 03:10:13 GMT, "mwlogs"
wrote:

It's already mentioned that it's a poor and probably unsafe idea to string
extension cords together. But if you feel it is safe for whatever your
application is, why not just put an outlet on the end of one and a plug on
the end of the other? Of course I'm taking your subject as worded - you
are talking "in a home" and not "outside a home". All bets are off if you
are speaking of such a junction in an exterior application. I'm also not
sure what kind of "lights" you are referring to in your last sentence.


"tr" wrote in message
oups.com...
Is there a safe and accepted (NEC) way to splice/connect two regular
electric cords/wire where the connection is not inside a box ? I have
a need to make a number of splices with regular extnsion cord type wire
(reasonably heavy duty) and it would be much easier if there is some
type of clip on type slicer. The lights came with clip on type
plugs....is there a similar splicing clip for connecting the wires

Thanks, TR

connecting electrical cords in a home
 

On Sun, 12 Nov 2006 20:44:56 GMT, (Beachcomber)
wrote:



If you are willing to take the time you can do a creditable job by
soldering the wires together, shrink tubing over the individual joints
and then shrink tubing over the whole spliced area and about 1-1/2" of
the cable jacket on each side of the splice. I can't comment on NEC
relative to that.

It takes a bit of planning and the correct sizes of shrink tubing. I
strip the wire ends only about 1/4" and interdigitate the strands before
flowing solder into the joint.

Works for me....But, if you don't have the equipment and skill, take the
safe route and buy longer extension cords.


It's not so much the splice, but the legality of having an open splice
in a non-approved box. There are temporary boxes for sale (for
locations like construction sites) with legal bushings, covers, etc.

If your slipshod spice causes a problem (fire, electrocution, injury)
you might be responsible for the damages.


Is this a low-voltage lighting setup, something inside the
walls, or an actual extension cord? The rules are different
for all the cases, and I, at least am not totally clear on
what you're trying to do, and why.

OT Punctuation was connecting electrical cords in a home
 

On Mon, 13 Nov 2006 12:04:23 -0500, Goedjn wrote:

Is this a low-voltage lighting setup, something inside the
walls, or an actual extension cord? The rules are different
for all the cases, and I, at least am not totally clear on
what you're trying to do, and why.

I am not trying to be anal. I am trying to learn.

I would punctuate the last sentence as

The rules are different for all cases, and I, at least, am not clear.

Could you....The rules are different for all cases. And I, at least,
am not clear.

I don't think starting with And or But is good practice either.