extension cord used on kitchen counter

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Stevenfyeager

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United States, Indiana
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electrical contractor
Customer has a gas range cord plugged into an extension cord running along the surface of kitchen countertop to a countertop outlet. Looks kind of bad but is it against code ? Thanks.
 
qcroanoke said:
If it's permanent wiring. Yes
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I think most inspectors would see it that way.

However, if one were to just get a longer cord for the range, it might well be viewed otherwise. Why extension cords are hated on escapes me as they are no more inherently dangerous than the cord that comes with the appliance.
 
petersonra said:
I think most inspectors would see it that way.

However, if one were to just get a longer cord for the range, it might well be viewed otherwise. Why extension cords are hated on escapes me as they are no more inherently dangerous than the cord that comes with the appliance.
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Fire departments will state extension cords are a common cause of fires. Maybe not the this one, but those that run thru doors and under rugs
 
I suspect that extension cords are sometimes insufficiently sized for the load. That could overstress the insulation on the cord, and therefore make a fault that could cause a fire more likely to occur.
I see warnings on appliances that draw relatively high current levels (e.g., portable heaters) not to use an extension cord. I would think that a 12 or 14 gauge cord should be fine, but there are probably some of the public that would use an 18 ga. extension cord without batting an eye.
 
Extension cords are also susceptible to damage at either end where the wire meets the connector. It seems to me to be worse with molded ends, although that may only apply to cheap cordsets.
The cord to cord connection can also develop high resistance to compound that

AFAIK it is not legal, based on manufacturer's instruction if not code directly, to run a permanent device cord through doors, walls, or windows either.

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petersonra said:
I think most inspectors would see it that way.

However, if one were to just get a longer cord for the range, it might well be viewed otherwise. Why extension cords are hated on escapes me as they are no more inherently dangerous than the cord that comes with the appliance.
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As would I.

422.16 talks about flexible cords for appliances and their minimum and maximum lengths. Extending or replacing a line cord with a longer one would be a violation.

-Hal
 
It talks about dishwashers, trash compactors, garbage disposals and range hoods. It only talks about electric Wall-Mounted Ovens and Counter-Mounted Cooking Units which may be permanently connected or cord and plug connected.

I have no reason to believe that the igniter cord for a gas range wouldn't be the same. Range manufacturers show the receptacle location behind the range in the installation instructions.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
It talks about dishwashers, trash compactors, garbage disposals and range hoods. It only talks about electric Wall-Mounted Ovens and Counter-Mounted Cooking Units which may be permanently connected or cord and plug connected.

I have no reason to believe that the igniter cord for a gas range wouldn't be the same. Range manufacturers show the receptacle location behind the range in the installation instructions.

-Hal
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So it does not talk about ranges.
 
petersonra said:
So it does not talk about ranges.
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It does not talk about GAS ranges. The only reference to ranges is 422.10, 422.11 (branch circuit rating and OCP) and 422.33 which talks about the power connection, all for electric ranges.

What about gas ranges that have a convection fan in the oven in addition to the igniters and controls? I would say that this is just another item that the NEC hasn't kept up with.

-Hal
 
hbiss said:
It does not talk about GAS ranges. The only reference to ranges is 422.10, 422.11 (branch circuit rating and OCP) and 422.33 which talks about the power connection, all for electric ranges.

What about gas ranges that have a convection fan in the oven in addition to the igniters and controls? I would say that this is just another item that the NEC hasn't kept up with.

-Hal
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The Convection Fan Element is often the highest load in a Gas Range.
 
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