Extension cord

[norcal]

Who is going to stop him?

He can do it.

 

[ramsy]

I've seen that with zip cord as well. I blame the brittleness more on the fact that it probably was overloaded at times than the fact it was zip cord.
This is an 18 ga conductor supplying general use receptacles on 15, 20 amp circuit, or even in old places maybe someone put in a 30 amp fuse.

But if you keep load to within it's rating it still maybe doesn't last as long as other approved methods for use as permanent wiring.

Zip cord to Garage Door Opener still working. Notice burnt shelf.



NFPA-70 Fire Code violations:

430.22(G)1&2(c) => 240.4(D)1&2(2) OCP Not Listed for 18 or 16 AWG

210.8(A)2 & 10 => 406.4(D)3 Garage / laundry replacement plug not GFCI protected

410.12(1, 4, 7) Flexible cords, Not for use as: permanent wiring, attached to surfaces, or subject to damage

 

[VirutalElectrician]

NM though has some flexibility to it isn't intentionally designed to be used where it is flexed while in use.

Outer sheath of NM is thermoplastic and lasts longer than most flexible cords that often are rubber or synthetic rubber based.

That's funny, I have extension cords that my Grandpa owned, that are over 50 years old, and still in excellent condition. The insulation is still soft and very flexible with no cracking.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

I was in a house a good number of years ago that the previous HO used zip cord. Everywhere.. I insulation would crack as you touched it. I've seen SJ cord do the same. I would expect the low cost import cord will do the same because if the goal is to save $$ on this install, I suspect we won't be spending a lot of money on this 18 AWG extension cord.

I collect extension cords like some people collect rocks. I have dozens of brands and thousands of feet of extension cord. Not one single cord has disintingrated over time due to age.

Only by UV exposure (and only after many, many years) or by over current.

A relative has a 40' SJT cord strung from an ourstide outlet, over a tree branch, and into one of those Rubbermaid portable sheds. It's been there 10 years, at least. I try to remember to look at it every time I'm there. The insulation has discolored in the sun, but it's still soft and flexible and shows no sign of cracking.

It's not even a Southwire, Carol, or Woods, etc. It's the Lowe's store brand, made in China.
The only cords I'm really, really, afraid of is the Home Depot brand orange SJT cords. The outter insulation on these is very soft, very flexible, and very thin. They fade to white in the sun after a very short time, and the thin, soft insulation tends to twist and loosen, causing the internal conductors to start pushing out and stretch it.

Try hanging out in the Christmas decorator groups. Those people use thousands of feet of cheap China SPT-1 cord to make zip cords. I've never seen anyone complain about the insulation breaking down.

 

[VirutalElectrician]

Zip cord to Garage Door Opener still working. Notice burnt shelf.

View attachment 2559525

Looks like a 16/2 SPT-2 cord. Should have been more than enough to handle the load of any residential garage door. But I've yet to see an opener that didn't have a 3 prong plug. To burn that much, it would have to have been way over current for a fairly long time.

And that's not what I would call zip cord. That's a commercially manufactured and UL approved cord I'm sure. Zip cords are generally made from bulk wire and use slide-on Gilbert type ends.

 

[ptonsparky]

I collect extension cords like some people collect rocks. I have dozens of brands and thousands of feet of extension cord. Not one single cord has disintingrated over time due to age.

Only by UV exposure (and only after many, many years) or by over current.

A relative has a 40' SJT cord strung from an ourstide outlet, over a tree branch, and into one of those Rubbermaid portable sheds. It's been there 10 years, at least. I try to remember to look at it every time I'm there. The insulation has discolored in the sun, but it's still soft and flexible and shows no sign of cracking.

It's not even a Southwire, Carol, or Woods, etc. It's the Lowe's store brand, made in China.
The only cords I'm really, really, afraid of is the Home Depot brand orange SJT cords. The outter insulation on these is very soft, very flexible, and very thin. They fade to white in the sun after a very short time, and the thin, soft insulation tends to twist and loosen, causing the internal conductors to start pushing out and stretch it.

Try hanging out in the Christmas decorator groups. Those people use thousands of feet of cheap China SPT-1 cord to make zip cords. I've never seen anyone complain about the insulation breaking down.

Maybe you're right, I didn't feel, see it. Neither did the owner. Dang.