Extension cord in permanent locations

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ptpofva

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Suffolk, VA
As a home inspector we frequently see extension cords between the garage door opener and the ceiling receptacle. Sometimes it will go along the ceiling and wall to a wall receptacle. The manufacturer's power cord is too short. We always call it out as a safety concern as opinion extension cords should not be used in a permanent location. Is there a specific code section someone could refer me to? As this will give us additional ammo to prove our point. OR am I wrong. I called several garage door installers, their answer was the old " thats the way we always install it" I never have liked that answer for anything. It usually tells me they really do not know.

Thanks for assistance.:)
 
You are right. The fault lies with there not being a permanent receptacle nearby. The homeowner should have someone install a receptacle that is within reach of the door opener’s cord.

Reference: 400.8, Uses not permitted, “Unless specifically permitted in 400.7 (by the way, the garage door opener is not on that list), flexible cords shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
. . .
(4) Where attached to building surfaces."
 
Some garages have 12 - 16' ceilings with an 8' door. It seems the typical cord length supplied with the opener is 3 to 4 feet. Even if an outlet is directly above the opener, the power cord is too short
 
But you can mount a receptacle on the wooden member (vertical or horizontal) from which the door opener is suspended. I had one on my last house. Putting one in for my present house is "on my to do list."
 
Whnever I have a high ceiling in a garage I leave enough cable to come down to the opener and mount the receptacle as Charlie has said. Usually, around here it is an angle iron support so I sleeve the romex in some carflex and put a 4" sq. box on the metal support for the opener. Never had to use a cord that way
 
I?ll bet you I could replace the power cord on the garage door opener for a lot less than rewiring the garage.:grin:
 
Physis 3 said:
I?ll bet you I could replace the power cord on the garage door opener for a lot less than rewiring the garage.:grin:
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Not if you had to pay a UL Inspector to come out an re-certify the equipment? :D

(Or do they do such things? :-? )
 
i have ty wrapped very neatly down the inside
of the pref angle iron mounted my box with romex
whats gonna hurt it there no diff than running with
steel studs is it...?

jmo
 
ptpofva said:
I called several garage door installers, their answer was the old " thats the way we always install it" I never have liked that answer for anything. It usually tells me they really do not know.
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I wouldn't really expect them to know. They aren't electricians.

I think you do the right thing anyway by pointing it out as a safety concern. Not much more you can or should do.
 
electricmanscott said:
I wouldn't really expect them to know. They aren't electricians.
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Nor is it their job to have the outlet in the correct place. They should tell the HO to call the electrician but that would rarely happen unless it is a new construction.
 
Physis 3 said:
I?ll bet you I could replace the power cord on the garage door opener for a lot less than rewiring the garage.:grin:
Click to expand...

If you are comfortable negating the UL listing on the GDO...
 
petersonra said:
and why would the typical HO care one iota?
Click to expand...

They wouldn't...but does that make it right? I was under the impression we were talking amongst professionals and not typical HO's:confused:

The vast majority of the discussions on this board are out of the releam of what a typical HO cares about ;)
 
Take note of the following Code references:

? 240.5(B)(3), Extension Cord Sets ? ?Flexible cord used in listed extension cord sets shall be considered to be protected when applied within the extension cord listing requirements.?
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? 240.5(B)(4), Field Assembled Extension Cord Sets ? ?Flexible cord used in extension cords made with separately listed and installed components shall be permitted to be supplied by a branch circuit in accordance with the following: 20A circuits, 16 AWG, and larger.?
Click to expand...


In addition, flexible cord and cable uses permitted and not permitted are outlined in 400.7 and 400.8.

Reference: 400.8, Uses not permitted, ?Unless specifically permitted in 400.7 (by the way, the garage door opener is not on that list), flexible cords shall not be used for the following:
1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure. . .
Click to expand...

I don't believe that an extension cord is considered a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.
Secondly, art 400.7(A)(10) states where specifically permitted elsewhere in the code.

Now, art 240.5 (B)(1)
Where flexible cord or tinsel cord is approved and used with a specific listed appliance or portable lamp, it shall be considered to be protected when applied within the appliance or portable lamp listing requirements.
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Now if there is a cord that is listed for garage door openers and a garage door is considered an appliance ( I think it does fit the definition) then perhaps you could use an ext. cord.

Good luck finding a cord listed for this use.

Is my logic correct or am I way off base here. Remember there are cords specifically listed for dishwashers and washing machines......
 
iwire said:
No, the power cord is fine.

The receptacle is to far from the opener.:)
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I completely agree ! and the box that is too far from the appliance can be relocated.
 
Ya'll (yes Virginia is in the South) would be happy $$ to know that our standard comment in doing inspections is

" ... have a qualified electrical contractor properly correct...."

I have trained all of my people to use this phrase and substitute the "type" of contractor where needed.

just sending business $$$ YOUR way!!!! :grin: :grin: :grin:
 
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ptpofva said:
Ya'll (yes Virginia is in the South) would be happy $$ to know that our standard comment in doing inspections is

" ... have a qualified electircal contractor properly correct...."
Click to expand...
If I read that with a southern accent it is spelled correctly. :D
 
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