Replacement Cord Caps

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Natfuelbilll

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Anybody can go to Home Depot or Lowes and buy a replacement cord cap and rewire an extension cord end or re-cap a power tool.

Is this legal? Are these caps UL listed or labeled? Is the completed assembly still UL listed or labeled?

(I always mix up the "listed or labeled" distinction....)
 
for practical purposes, and in my opinion, yes.

if your house is regularly inspected by a state or federal osha inspector, no.
 
iMuse97 said:
I don't know, but I know that in the OSHA ed. I've been to they always say repaired cords are not OSHA approved. UL approval is or should be printed right on the equipment or device.
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This is not completely correct.

If you use listed devices and are qualified to make the repair, it is permissable.

--->going to look up the reference.
 
Well Calosha inspectors seem to say no on repaired cords?
Don't know what basis for this though
 
every osha or safety inspector I've ever dealt with considered cords that were not in "as new" condition damaged and would not allow them used on site. since the alternative was a citation, I always complied. But I couldn't site you the section (is there any point in arguing with those guys ?) Last year a safety inspector threw all our ladders in the dumpster - reason: the stickers were faded or missing. Of course we retrieved them and sent them to another job. They make their points; sometimes the points are, however, impractical.
 
Then what's to stop someone from placing new stickers on non-compliant (in whatever way) ladders?

Kinda like field-UL-ing non-listed fixtures.
 
LarryFine said:
Then what's to stop someone from placing new stickers on non-compliant (in whatever way) ladders?

Kinda like field-UL-ing non-listed fixtures.
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A sticker isn't going to make a ladder with a broken leg or missing rung OSHA compliant. It just replaces the stickers that are required.
 
LarryFine said:
That's sorta my point: if stickers don't make a ladder compliant, why does the lack of stickers make one non-compliant?
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Because the presence of the stickers is what is required. OSHA wants those stickers on the ladder so they can be properly ignored by the user.
 
480sparky said:
Because the presence of the stickers is what is required. OSHA wants those stickers on the ladder so they can be properly ignored by the user.
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Exactly! How could you use the seat on the top of a step ladder if it didn't say, "Danger. Do not sit or stand." in bright red. Don't you think that should be in orange for those who are red/green color blind, and don't you think it should be in braille for those who are visually challenged?
 
iMuse97 said:
Exactly! How could you use the seat on the top of a step ladder if it didn't say, "Danger. Do not sit or stand." in bright red. Don't you think that should be in orange for those who are red/green color blind, and don't you think it should be in braille for those who are visually challenged?
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I love the "Do not stand or sit" on ladders. It means I get to sit down all day!
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thinfool said:
This is not completely correct.

If you use listed devices and are qualified to make the repair, it is permissable.

--->going to look up the reference.
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I'm not the expert, either, but I would hazard to say that this is not completely correct.

If the power tool manufacturer sells the power whip with the "molded" cord cap that you must undo the tool case to install, and you are competent to do so, then that is a proper repair.

Unfortunately, bad extension cords are relegated to the scrap bin (or to the painters:D).

I've installed hundreds of cord caps on SO cable. Somehow, in the eyes of the law, there is a difference between SO and extension cords.
 
Suppose I decide to buy a 100' extension cord and turn it into a pair of 50' cords by cutting it in half and installing a proper cord cap on the respective ends.

Is that a problem?
 
LarryFine said:
Suppose I decide to buy a 100' extension cord and turn it into a pair of 50' cords by cutting it in half and installing a proper cord cap on the respective ends.

Is that a problem?
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Yes.
"Trailors" may not be longer than 40'.
The cable manufacturered extention cords are made from is not capable of accomodating replacement cord caps like SJ or SO cable can. Manufacturered cords only have a UL listing as a complete item, with it's moulded cord caps. Alter it, and the entire cord set is garbage.
 
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