1. PA Training for Health & Safety
EXTENSION CORD SAFETY
Bureau of Workers Comp
PA Training for Health & Safety
(PATHS)
PPT

2. Home Made Extension Cord
Safe?
Made Correctly?
“Legal” for use in the work environment?
PPT

3. Homemade “Gang Box” Electrical Extension Cords
Not allowed in work setting per OSHA:
29 CFR
29 CFR
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4. Electrical Extension Cord
Electrical extension cords:
May not be used as permanent wiring
Must be of industrial commercial quality
Made by a commercial company for use in industrial environment
Made to same standards as those used by a commercial manufacturer
Proper size and temperature rating to withstand the electrical load
Approved by a recognized testing agency
PPT

5. Electrical Extension Cord (cont.)
Should not be:
wrapped around nails
spliced
run across walkways
run under rugs or heavy furniture
Should be:
in good condition
inspected before use
PPT

6. Safety
Check the information on your cord. Extension cords are labeled with valuable information as to the use, size and wattage rating of the cord.
Cords are offered in many lengths and are labeled with size or “gauge.”
Gauge based on the American Wire Gauge, or AWG, system, whereby the larger the wire, the smaller the AWG number (e.g., 12 gauge wire would be larger and can power larger wattage appliances than 14 gauge wire).
PPT

7. Safety (cont.) Determine the gauge needed:
All appliances indicate how much wattage is consumed when operated.
The rating can be found on appliance itself and often within the use and care booklet that accompanies the product.
Other appliances will indicate power usage in amps, rather than watts. Quick tip: If your appliance indicates that it uses 5 amps at 125 volts, then its wattage rating is 625W (5×125).
PPT

8. Safety (cont.)
Decide whether you will be using the appliance indoors or outdoors:
Extension cords that can be used outdoors will be clearly marked “Suitable for use with outdoor appliances.”
Never use an indoor extension cord outdoors; it could result in an electric shock or fire hazard.
PPT

9. Safety (cont.) Determine how long you need the cord to be:
A cord, based on its gauge, can power an appliance of a certain wattage only at specific distances.
As the cord gets longer, the current carrying capacity of the cord gets lower.
Example: 16 gauge extension cord less than 50 feet in length can power a 1625 watt (W) appliance; 16 gauge cord that is longer than 50 feet can only power an appliance up to 1250W.
PPT

10. Safety (cont.) Place the cord correctly:
Do not place underneath rugs or other heavy furniture.
Should not be tacked in place to a wall or taped down.
Should not be used while coiled or bent.
Match the length of the cord to the length of your needs.
PPT

11. What are the Problems?
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12. Unsafe
This clamp is designed to hold Romex wire for behind wall installation.
Clamp has a flat metal edge which, over time, can cause internal wiring to break and short.
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13. Unsafe (cont.) Use and age has caused this cord to begin to crack.
Eventually the wiring inside will be exposed.
PPT

14. Unsafe (cont.) Metal outlet box can bend to contact outlet posts.
Picture shows post nearly touching box.
Under certain circumstances, current could jump this narrow gap.
During normal usage, outlet box case could bend in to touch the post.
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15. Unsafe (cont.)
Nail openings in the back of this outlet will allow fluid inside the outlet box.
This could cause casing to be energized.
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16. Unsafe (cont.)
Note opening in the “pop out” on this metal outlet casing.
Typical for this type of outlet box.
Can also allow fluid into the box and cause casing to be energized.
PPT

17. Note the exposed wiring from this broken male plug
Unsafe (cont.)
Also bent grounding prong
Note the exposed wiring from this broken male plug
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18. Summary
Extension cords must be "of proper size and temperature rating to withstand the electrical load and be approved by a recognized testing agency.”
Locally purchased extension cords may not meet this standard.
Always check applicable regulations/standards before buying or using extension cords at work.
PPT

19. Questions
PPT