How To Cover Extension Cords Outside To keep Them Dry
- Tape it Up. As a DIY-er, you already know the power of a piece of tape. In this instance, we’re going to use electrical tape.
- Plastic Bags. If you can find some heavy-duty plastic bags, they might help out here. ...
- Tupperware. Next up is a solution that’s inspired in the kitchen. You can use air-tight, also known as watertight, Tupperware to help.
What happens if you use an indoor extension cord outside?
Sunlight can also break down the insulation used for indoor extension cords, but outdoor extension cords use a special material to protect against light damage. Outdoor extension cords are also constructed to prevent damage from chemicals, such as oil.
How to run outside extension cords safely and inexpensively?
- After ensuring you use an outdoor extension cord, verify the wattage before purchasing it. The cord should be able to accommodate the wattage needs it will be connected to.
- Next is the length of the cord. Electricians would often advise on using long extension cords outside the home. ...
- Also, ensure that the cord is plugged to a GFCI outlet outdoors. ...
Can you use indoor extension cords outside?
Never use indoor extension cords outside, they are not built for such rugged use. Do NOT leave even your outdoor extension cord outside more than a day or two. Left outside over extended periods, cord materials can breakdown, potentially resulting in sparking, fire, and shock. Click to see full answer.
How to hide an outdoor extension cord?
- Measure the wall to determine the length of the cords you want to cover.
- Cut the cord cover to match the length you just measured.
- Use a pencil to mark the anchor points on the wall. ...
- Use anchors and screws to mount the base of the cord cover to the drywall. ...
- Lay the cables over the base and snap the cover on to conceal.
Do you need to cover outdoor extension cords?
Try to minimize the amount of extension cord to extension cord connections you make outdoors. If it is completely necessary to connect multiple extension cords, you should invest in a handy extension cord cover, in order to best protect the areas where the two cords meet.
How do I Weatherproof my outdoor extension cord?
Use Cling Wrap Industrial strength pallet wrap is good way to weatherize your connections when using extension cords outside. Wrap the connection portion of the cords tightly, using as much of the plastic wrap as needed to keep out the water and prevent electric shock.
How do I protect my outdoor electrical connection?
How to Keep Plugs Dry Outside-( 7 common methods)Using an Electrical Tape.Using a Plastic Bag.Install Covers under a Roof.Use a Weatherproof Cover.Use Dielectric Greases.Use Waterproof Sockets and Plugs.Make Your Own Cover.
Can you leave outdoor extension cords outside?
Although outdoor extension cords are tough, you still must not leave them outside for more than a day or two. Leaving this outside for an extended period will make your cord susceptible to breaking down, which can result in sparking, fire, and shock.
How do you protect outdoor outlets from rain?
Here are a few tips to keep your outlets safe and dry.Use a GFCI Outdoor Outlet. ... Make Sure Outlets Are Properly Installed. ... Install a Weatherproof Cover. ... Take Safety Precautions. ... Don't Let a Rainstorm Cause You Electrical Problems at Home!
What happens if extension cord gets wet?
Thankfully, an extension cord is a pretty basic device with no complicated circuity inside, so you should expect minimal or zero damage if your extension cord got wet, so long as it's powered off quickly and dried off completely before usage.
How do you hide Christmas lights from outdoor extension cords?
0:502:39How To Route Extension Cords For Christmas Lights - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSee if I can get a better view of so we slide that clip right down there behind that gutter. AndMoreSee if I can get a better view of so we slide that clip right down there behind that gutter. And then we'll put one down at the bottom and and normally we will put this on the backside of the gutter.
Can outdoor extension cords be permanent?
So long as you only use them temporarily (while you own the house), and not permanently (until the Sun swells up and engulfs the Earth, you're fine. Make sure they are rated to handle the current needed, and don't damage them. Also, consider using a power strip with a long cord.
How to keep extension cords dry?
Another easy way to keep your extension cord dry is to wrap a plastic bag around it . You can use a grocery bag or a flexible garbage bag. Just use wire or duct tape to secure it in place.
What is an extension cord made of?
Outdoor extension cords are made out of rubber, plastic, or vinyl covering. They are equipped to withstand moisture. They are also adapted to protect the wire from changes in weather and temperature.
How to get rid of fire in extension cord?
If the water in the cord has caused a fire, unplug the extension cord. Afterward, you can douse it with water or flour to extinguish it.
Is duct tape waterproof?
Duct tape has hundreds of different uses! Almost every DIYer has access to duct tape. Although duct tape is only water-resistant and not waterproof, you need to watch out for puddles. Have a surface you can lay the cord on instead of laying it on the ground.
How to protect extension cords from wet weather?
Take a utility knife (be careful) and cut up the holes as required. Spread the plastic apart with enough space to insert the plug inside the container. Put the top back on. And you are done! Keep your extension cord plugs inside it and the container will protect them from the wet and humid weather.
How long can you use an extension cord?
The legislation where I live says you cannot use it in one place for more than three months. If you need it longer than that, you need an extra outlet. The best mechanical. Continue Reading.
What gauge extension cord should I use for an appliance?
Get the largest, heaviest, gauge you can find. That cord will be labeled 12-gauge or even 10-gauge. Keep it as short as possible. Match the extension cord to the appliance cord.
What happens when you connect an extension cord to a high current appliance?
When you connect a high-current appliance through an extension cord, the cord introduces a small resistance. The longer the cord, the more resistance and the lower the voltage measured at the appliance. The gauge of the cord is important, too.
Can extension cords be used as permanent wiring?
Extension cords are temporary wiring means and should not be used as permanent wiring. You do not want to hide or bury wiring since you can’t determine if the insulation has been compromised. Also the effects of the soil and moisture may degrade the insulation system used on the wiring.
Is a 16 gauge extension cord bad?
When an appliance gets too little voltage, it will actually draw more current to accomplish the same amount of work. As you can imagine, that is bad.
Can you get a shock from a VGA cable?
Or you might be getting shocked fr. Continue Reading. To get a shock from your VGA cable you need to be touching (connected to) two places of different voltage.
Can you tuck cords around doors?
Tucking Away Cords Around Doors. If you are running cords and they have to cross a doorway, this can cause a major problem. Often the cord isn’t long enough to run up, over, and around the full door frame (and let’s be honest, this never looks very good).
Can you use a wobble wedge to hide electrical cords?
The best part of using Wobble Wedges® to hide electrical cords outside is that they are easy to remove. These methods all use the pressure created by wedging the tapered shims into place. So you can easily make adjustments, move things around, and ultimately put away your decorations and the cords without extra work.
Can you use a wobble wedge on a door sill?
If you use Wobble Wedges® you can wedge the cord underneath the door sill and our plastic tapered shims will keep it in place. This will put the cord out of the way of foot traffic. And the best part is it can be a temporary solution or a more permanent one.
Can you run electrical cords under siding?
Hiding Cords Under Siding. To run a cord along the outside of your house you might have the advantage of siding that gives you a small space underneath it to tuck away your electrical cords. But how can they stay tucked away? Wobble Wedges® can be used to gently wedge the cords underneath the siding of your house.
How to make an extension cord safe?
How to Make Using an Outdoor Extension Cord Safe. Stage the cord so that it is not a tripping hazard. Run the wire along the building structure. Inspect the wire for jacket damage. Do not use an extension cord if you can see its internal wires.
What is an extension cord jacket?
The extension cord jacket is the rubbery coating surrounding the wires. The thicker and stronger the jacket, the more protection it provides the wires inside. This jacket protects the inner wires from rain, snow, and sunshine. Never use an extension cord with a broken jacket. You might get a shock or risk a fire.
What gauge wire should I use for a vacuum cleaner?
A 12-gauge wire carries a heavy load both inside and outside the home. A 20-gauge wire can handle only small jobs, but is OK to use if it’s in a “W” jacket. The changes of a 20-gauge cord being useful outdoors are small. Use a 16-gauge cord for lamps, fans. Use 12 gauge for the garage vacuum cleaner and table saws.
What is the difference between a wire gauge and an extension cord?
The “gauge” refers to the thickness of the internal wires that carry the electricity. When wire gauge, thicker is better as it safely carries more electricity.
What is the letter on an extension cord?
The US government requires extension cord manufacturers to place the letter “W” on cord s designed for outdoor use. Use only “W” cords outside. When you use a “W” cord outside, you should plug it into a GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruption) outlet. Modern codes require a portion of outlets in homes be include GFCI outlets.
How long does an outdoor cord last?
A good outdoor cord will last for years, even if it lives outside 24x7x365. It’s just that its useful life will last a lot longer if you give it a occasionally lower its load, or bring it into a warm area.. Dangers include animal bites, debris in the outlet, water and abrasion damage.
How many deaths are caused by bad extension cords?
When you’re done with it, bring it back to a warm, dry place. Internationally, bad extension cords cause 50,000 fires and 490 deaths every year. A bad extension cord is one that: is overloaded. is the wrong size, is fully loaded without a break in service,
How far should an extension cord be from a light?
Keep in mind that you should use only one that closely matches the length of each measurement. This means that if you had measured seven feet from a light to its nearest power source, you should use an extension cord that is only a little longer than this length (8, 9, or at the most 10 feet).
Can you use extension cords outdoors?
Extension cords that are used outdoors need to be very robust and able to withstand the elements. To make sure that this Christmas is safe for you and your family, you should use only those extension cords that have been especially designed for outdoor purposes.
Can extension cords cause accidents?
Being careless with extension cords has been known to cause accidents. Keep the above-mentioned safety tips in mind, and make sure that you and your family can enjoy both a warm outdoor glow and a safe holiday. Reviewed November 2020.
Diy Methods on How to Protect Outdoor Extension Cord from Rain
Outdoor Extension Cord Cover
- For this method, you will need a few plastic bags. Reusable plastic bags from the grocery store will not do here, so look for name brand bags. You can cover the bags around the power cord and use some electrical tape to secure them, or you can cut the bag into smaller pieces and secure them with electrical tape. This is entirely dependent on how lo...
Any Product Recommendations?
- Absolutely! If you don’t feel like using these DIY methods and prefer buying pre-made tools for the job, there are plenty of options on the market for you. You can purchase them online through stores like Amazon, or in a brick-and-mortar store like Wal-Mart. Here are a few pre-made options for you on the market:
A Few More Tips
- Keep your cords dry
For obvious reasons, keep your cords away from puddles of water, and out of the way of precipitation, especially the section of the cords where the connection is. Purchasing cord protectors and taking the measures laid out in the article are good ways to keep your cords dry a… - Make sure the cord is in one piece
When using electrical cords, be sure to use cords that do not have exposed or frayed wires. Use electrical cords that have their covering in-tact. Using cords with exposed wires exponentially raises the risk of serious injury and/or electric shock. Use cords that are in new, or like new cond…
Conclusion
- Extension cords help make life easy for us, especially when working on outdoor projects/endeavors that require the use of electrical power. Use these tips and exercise caution when using extension cords when facing the elements. Protect yourself, your loved ones, your tools and your extension cords when outside. Avoid the elements, especially water, at all costs. …