Garage Door Opener Circuit

Status
Not open for further replies.
Little Bill

Little Bill

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Tennessee NEC:2017
Occupation
Semi-Retired Electrician
I was asked whether a garage door opener could be connected to an extension cord.

400.7(A)(3) says an extension cord can be used on appliances

400.8(1) says it can't be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

Question is, is the door opener an appliance?

Or is it something that needs permanent/fixed wiring?
 
Little Bill said:
I was asked whether a garage door opener could be connected to an extension cord.

400.7(A)(3) says an extension cord can be used on appliances

400.8(1) says it can't be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

Question is, is the door opener an appliance?

Or is it something that needs permanent/fixed wiring?
Click to expand...
This came up at least once before and IIRC the consensus was that if the opener came equipped with a factor cord, that had to be plugged directly into a receptacle that was within the reach of the cord.
These days most garages have a receptacle installed on the ceiling of that purpose, but old garages are more problematic.
I do not see clearly whether a garage door opener would or would not be an appliance.
 
GoldDigger said:
This came up at least once before and IIRC the consensus was that if the opener came equipped with a factor cord, that had to be plugged directly into a receptacle that was within the reach of the cord.
These days most garages have a receptacle installed on the ceiling of that purpose, but old garages are more problematic.
I do not see clearly whether a garage door opener would or would not be an appliance.
Click to expand...

That's just it. A guy pulled his own permit and did the work. He failed inspection on several items. Now he has called some electrician friends of mine to come and fix everything so it will pass inspection, but is reluctant to fix some things. This is all still open and wouldn't be difficult to run the circuit. The guy just thinks he can put in what he wants and not what the code says. This is just one of the things he is kicking on!

My answer to them was, IMO the circuit/receptacle was needed for the garage door opener.
 
Yes you need a receptacle within reach of the cord and it also must be a GFCI type. And I agree with Charlie b, there is a difference between a flexible cord and an extension cord.
 
Little Bill said:
That's just it. A guy pulled his own permit and did the work. He failed inspection on several items. Now he has called some electrician friends of mine to come and fix everything so it will pass inspection, but is reluctant to fix some things. This is all still open and wouldn't be difficult to run the circuit. The guy just thinks he can put in what he wants and not what the code says. This is just one of the things he is kicking on!

My answer to them was, IMO the circuit/receptacle was needed for the garage door opener.
Click to expand...
HO pulled the permit, did the work, failed inspection, called electrician to fix, then argued with electrician about what needed to be changed?:lol:
 
charlie b said:
It says no such thing! :happysad: Look again. :)

Click to expand...

cowboyjwc said:
Yes you need a receptacle within reach of the cord and it also must be a GFCI type. And I agree with Charlie b, there is a difference between a flexible cord and an extension cord.
Click to expand...

charlie b said:
Perfect. Exactly my point. :happyyes:
Click to expand...

Well where are extension cords listed in the NEC. The only place I find the word "extension cord" is in Article 500 (mobile homes, park trailers, etc) 600 (welders)
and 240.

Since extension cords are usually made from flexible cord, i didn't know where else to look.
240.5 even says this:

240.5 Protection of Flexible Cords, Flexible Cables, and
Fixture Wires. Flexible cord and flexible cable, including
tinsel cord and extension cords, and fixture wires shall be
protected against overcurrent by either 240.5(A) or (B).
Click to expand...

240.5(B)(3) & (4) says:

(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.
(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:
20-ampere circuits ? 16 AWG and larger
Click to expand...

Article 400.7 & 400.8 is what I referred to in my OP. I paraphrased it and used the word "extension cord".

But since the code mentions flexible cord a few times along with extension cords, I don't know the difference you guys are talking about.

So tell me, where does it say that an "extension cord" is not a "flexible cord"?
 
cowboyjwc said:
Yes you need a receptacle within reach of the cord and it also must be a GFCI type. And I agree with Charlie b, there is a difference between a flexible cord and an extension cord.
Click to expand...
The receptacle doesn't need to be a GFCI type, it just is required to have GFCI protection - but you knew that.

If it is a GFCI type receptacle it must be in a readily accessible location, many (but not necessarily all) ceiling outlets in a garage are not readily accessible.
 
Little Bill said:
I was asked whether a garage door opener could be connected to an extension cord.

400.7(A)(3) says an extension cord can be used on appliances

400.8(1) says it can't be used as a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure

Question is, is the door opener an appliance?

Or is it something that needs permanent/fixed wiring?
Click to expand...

The door opener is an appliance. Most household units are equipped with a cord with cord cap, and are intended to be cord/plug connected. This would comply with 400.7(A)(8) more so then (A)(3) IMO. (A)(3) is for portable appliances - a GDO is typically fastened in place.

I think you also need to consider 210.50 particularly parts (B) and (C).

Those sections do require a receptacle and within 6 feet of such appliance.

If the appliance doesn't have a long enough cord to reach that receptacle - IDK what to tell you next.
 
Little Bill said:
So tell me, where does it say that an "extension cord" is not a "flexible cord"?
Click to expand...
Extension cords are flexible cords, but not all flexible cords are extension cords. (All cats are animals, but not all animals are cats.) When the NEC says that a flexible cord can be used to power an appliance, it is not saying that any and all types of flexible cords can be used in this way. A flexible cord that is provided by the manufacturer and that is permanently attached to some point internal to the appliance is certainly code-compliant. But that does not mean that you can insert the cord cap of the flexible cord that is supplied by the manufacturer of the garage door opener into the female end of an extension cord, plug the other end of the extension cord into a receptacle outlet, and leave it that way for years on end. That was my point.

 
charlie b said:
Extension cords are flexible cords, but not all flexible cords are extension cords. (All cats are animals, but not all animals are cats.) When the NEC says that a flexible cord can be used to power an appliance, it is not saying that any and all types of flexible cords can be used in this way. A flexible cord that is provided by the manufacturer and that is permanently attached to some point internal to the appliance is certainly code-compliant. But that does not mean that you can insert the cord cap of the flexible cord that is supplied by the manufacturer of the garage door opener into the female end of an extension cord, plug the other end of the extension cord into a receptacle outlet, and leave it that way for years on end. That was my point.

Click to expand...

You might want to send a memo to that effect to several million home owners!:p

I already knew that the GDO couldn't be plugged into an extension cord but couldn't cite a code article when asked that question. I don't know that I can now either.
Closest that I can come is "Can't be used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure".
 
Little Bill said:
You might want to send a memo to that effect to several million home owners!:p

I already knew that the GDO couldn't be plugged into an extension cord but couldn't cite a code article when asked that question. I don't know that I can now either.
Closest that I can come is "Can't be used as a substitute for fixed wiring of a structure".
Click to expand...

That is all you need.
 
The garage door recept is not a required outlet. You would not need one for a residence with no garage door opener to pass final. If the HO installed a mortorized opener after final I agree an outlet within 6' should be installed but we don't have a "post CO police" to issue a citation. :happysad:
 
mwm1752 said:
The garage door recept is not a required outlet. You would not need one for a residence with no garage door opener to pass final. If the HO installed a mortorized opener after final I agree an outlet within 6' should be installed but we don't have a "post CO police" to issue a citation. :happysad:
Click to expand...
No but some places may require a new permit to install the GDO in that scenario. Around here you wouldn't need a permit, but NEC is still the standard even if a permit or inspection isn't required. If someone is injured or killed, or property damage occurs and they find that you did not install this to NEC - they can come after you with your non compliance as a basis for their lawsuit. Now if John Q. Homeowner installs it himself - he can not sue himself for any losses.
 
kwired said:
No but some places may require a new permit to install the GDO in that scenario. Around here you wouldn't need a permit, but NEC is still the standard even if a permit or inspection isn't required. If someone is injured or killed, or property damage occurs and they find that you did not install this to NEC - they can come after you with your non compliance as a basis for their lawsuit. Now if John Q. Homeowner installs it himself - he can not sue himself for any losses.
Click to expand...


Well said
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top