SOOW for outlet outside?

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FionaZuppa

FionaZuppa

Senior Member
Location
AZ
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Part Time Electrician (semi retired, old) - EE retired.
well, saved a guy from doing it wrong, and the HD guy was gonna let him do it. DIY'er was installing small "RV" outlet box to his wall outside, right next to the main panel. he was gonna wire it into main using SOOW cord! yikes, I convinced him to use THWN in conduit. funny parts were 1) he was on cell phone with someone who was telling him to get the cord, and 2) his wife was bitchin up a storm because they needed to be some place asap and he was taking too long.
 
I try hard to ignore what gets said in the big box stores. Sometimes I speak up if it's particularly egregious or downright dangerous. But you can't save everyone. I don't like embarrassing an employee who means well but is clueless, so diplomacy can be the big factor in what I say and if I speak up or not.
 
It would have been perfectly fine. As good or better than most RV outlet installations :jawdrop:

Hell, there is more chance that he messes up the pipe run and individual conductors :lol:
 
isnt that the same cable we use in marinas and carnival setups? Heavy duty, service rated, and water resistant?

Or am I wrong on that? Not needed just to wire inside to an outside wall outlet but, perfect for a campground.
 
Adamjamma said:
isnt that the same cable we use in marinas and carnival setups? Heavy duty, service rated, and water resistant?

Or am I wrong on that? Not needed just to wire inside to an outside wall outlet but, perfect for a campground.
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Yes and no.

That cord/cable has its uses, but not for this application.

Bringing in marinas and carnivals changes the set up and confuses the issue.
 
Besoeker said:
Ignorant Brit strikes again.
What is SOOW?
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Rubber cord. Not allowed as a fixed wiring method unless certain conditions are met and this application is not one of them.

borderstates_chart-SOOW-SEOOW.png
 
If this were a pendant (SO cord with proper strain relief going from a fixed box to a cord cap or box rated for pendant use, them it would be allowed.

IMHO the restriction on flexible cord not being used for fixed wiring could stand some updating; it seems that a suitably rated cord with suitable support should be usable anywhere we permit NM.

-Jon
 
winnie said:
If this were a pendant (SO cord with proper strain relief going from a fixed box to a cord cap or box rated for pendant use, them it would be allowed.

IMHO the restriction on flexible cord not being used for fixed wiring could stand some updating; it seems that a suitably rated cord with suitable support should be usable anywhere we permit NM.

-Jon
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Yes to first paragraph.:

No to the second, a little updating I would consider, but complete substitution for NM-nope.
 
winnie said:
If this were a pendant (SO cord with proper strain relief going from a fixed box to a cord cap or box rated for pendant use, them it would be allowed.

IMHO the restriction on flexible cord not being used for fixed wiring could stand some updating; it seems that a suitably rated cord with suitable support should be usable anywhere we permit NM.

-Jon
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You are right in that is works very well in many situations. I am not sure if the code needs to change, but from a realistic standpoint what the homeowner DIYer was going to do would have been fine. Much better than typical DIY crap.

I don't think this guy got "saved" by the OP, I believe the cobbled together conduit will end up being more dangerous.
 
KaBoom! said:
You are right in that is works very well in many situations. I am not sure if the code needs to change, but from a realistic standpoint what the homeowner DIYer was going to do would have been fine. Much better than typical DIY crap.

I don't think this guy got "saved" by the OP, I believe the cobbled together conduit will end up being more dangerous.
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Per NEC, one cannot use SOOW for this application, article 400. Correct?
 
jumper said:
Okay, then carry on....I guess...
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I'm sure that you believe the homeowner DIYer who learned the entire NEC from the shelf stocker at Home Depot and the savior electrician who spent 90 seconds with him is going to install a perfectly code compliant raceway :roll:

Be realistic, the DIYer is going to cut the pipe with his jigsaw, bend it over his knee, get it into the connecter just far enough to miss the set screw, skin the insulation off the conductors while pulling them in, and call it a day :lol:

I maintain that the cord might end up being safer in this situation :thumbsup:
 
KaBoom! said:
I'm sure that you believe the homeowner DIYer who learned the entire NEC from the shelf stocker at Home Depot and the savior electrician who spent 90 seconds with him is going to install a perfectly code compliant raceway :roll:

Be realistic, the DIYer is going to cut the pipe with his jigsaw, bend it over his knee, get it into the connecter just far enough to miss the set screw, skin the insulation off the conductors while pulling them in, and call it a day :lol:

I maintain that the cord might end up being safer in this situation :thumbsup:
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I was discussing article 400 and the NEC.

I have no interest in DIY, Lowe’s, the OPs reasoning, or anecdotal “what ifs”.
 
jumper said:
I was discussing article 400 and the NEC.

I have no interest in DIY, Lowe’s, the OPs reasoning, or anecdotal “what ifs”.
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I wasn't discussing article 400 or the NEC, I was discussing the topic of this thread which is DIY, Lowe’s, the OPs reasoning, and anecdotal “what ifs”. You quoted my post and started the discussion with me, I am not sure why since you made it so clear that you are talking about something different.
 
I see KaBoom!'s point: the choice between a _potentially_ NEC compliant installation which a hobbyist is likely to get wrong, versus a clearly non-compliant installation which is more likely to be done reasonably, sort of. IMHO both are likely wrong.

This is the reason that electrical work is not a hobby.

I would be a hypocrite if I said that I was not in favor of the freedom to do ones own electrical work, but done by a professional or a homeowner, electrical work requires a significant amount of knowledge, the willingness to do a professional level of installation, and the understanding to know one's own limits.

Mr. Cherenkov (FionaZuppa but I like the avatar image), I appreciate your willingness to help someone to do the job correctly, and I wish there were more people out there willing to share knowledge. At the same time, there is (unfortunately) a certain level of liability in our culture when you do so. May your good deed not be punished.

-Jon
 
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