| Author |
Message |
    
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13099
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 12:37 pm: | 
|
Occasionally, I see an extension cord running across the top of a lawn. This is for lighting a tree with Christmas lights or something like that. Is that safe or legal?
|
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4499
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 10:32 pm: |
|
Depends.
If plugged into a GFIC outlet, never a problem.
If not, not safe.
Not legal, not sure. Sometimes being stupid is legal.
Later,
George
|
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 364
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 11:11 pm: |
|
Hey! I do this with an electric hedge trimmer and an electric edger. The cord is plugged into a regular plug inside and runs out of the window.
It's not safe? Stupid? Come on.
J.B. |
Travis
Citizen
Username: Travis
Post Number: 381
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 6:43 am: |
|
All outside outlets are required by code to be GFCI-protected.
Of course in my house the outside outlets are on the same circuit as the fridge..... |
Michael K. Mc Kell
Citizen
Username: Greenerose
Post Number: 859
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 7:35 pm: |
|
You've got to be kidding me. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 13152
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:20 pm: |
|
I'm sure a hedge trimmer is fine, since the cord and trimmer don't sit out there. But I'm sure it's a bad idea to leave a cable out there to run lights. Isn't that why ground lights have to run on low voltage? An animal can chew through a cable, wind can snap it, water can seep in, etc.
|
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4501
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:27 pm: |
|
J.B.
The answer is, you should plug that cord into a GFIC outlet in the house, or have one installed for your use.
Your hedge trimmer may be double insulated and all that, however the ext. cord you use is not. And if it gets wet, and if you touch it in the wrong way you will get the jolt.
Get a GFIC or use one.
Not a joke, do it.
Later,
George |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4502
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 8:32 pm: |
|
Tom,
"Isn't that why ground lights have to run on low voltage?"
The correct answer is no. Many very safe ground light systems run on high voltage.
Low voltage are safer, however, correctly installed high voltage systems are safe, cheaper and cheaper to run.
Wind snaps, chews, water seeps are all covered in a correctly installed system.
Ext. cords across the lawn are a mistake unless plugged into a GFIC.
Any questions? Just ask.
Later,
George |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 370
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, March 22, 2006 - 9:50 pm: |
|
I know I sound like a dumb •••, but I've cut the extension cord WITH the hedgeclippers and didn't get a jolt.
I'm not suggesting it couldn't happen, but maybe it's not as likely as, say, a car accident. Which is a risk I take twice a day where as hedge trimming is twice a summer.
Can you tell I don't have GFIC outlets? Now I'm really not trying to be a smart •••, but what's the difference between the GFIC fuse and my fuse box. That thing flips everytime someone farts. Wouldn't it cut the power if I did try to hedgeclip my lily pads?
J.B. |
Travis
Citizen
Username: Travis
Post Number: 382
Registered: 6-2004
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 11:20 am: |
|
An ordinary "fuse" (I assume you mean circuit breaker) blows if there's too much current draw. This may be because of a loose connection in an appliance somewhere causing current to run down the grounding wire.
GFI can be in an outlet, an appliance (e.g. GFI-protected hair dryer) or in a GFI circuit breaker. It is sensitive to current racing to the ground that is probably going through a human body, perhaps because a wet surface (bathroom floor, lawn) has created a path for current to flow through. It will shut down before the current kills you.
Electric shocks are cumulative. Repeated over time they lead to deterioration of the nervous system, even if they don't kill you.
Hey, it's your life, go crazy.... |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4503
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 11:52 am: |
|
As Travis stated, Fuses or Circuit breakers blow to protect the wiring from over load and causing a fire due to heat.
A GFIC protects the human body from electrical current going where it should not (thru you), even though the current draw is not enough to blow the breaker.
JB, the time you cut the cord and did not get zapped, Lucky, insulated trimmer handles, and a quick breaker trip all helped.
Later,
George |
TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1030
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 12:49 pm: |
|
Are GFIC outlets really required for outdoor use?
If so, how old is the requirement?
Thanks.
TomR |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4504
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:36 pm: |
|
Yes, on new construction. No requirement to change existing unless you pull a permit to improve the system, and on that exact circuit, then you will have to upgrade.
I do not know for sure how long ago, but at least 8 years ago.
Call the building Dept for details. |
VinnyM
Citizen
Username: Frodo
Post Number: 141
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 1:49 pm: |
|
george---did you get my email about the windows?
Vinny
PS ---sorry to steal the thread |
Jgberkeley
Citizen
Username: Jgberkeley
Post Number: 4505
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 3:09 pm: |
|
Vinny,
Just checked, yes I have it and will respond in that media, not this thread.
Thanx,
George |
jersey Boy
Citizen
Username: Jersey_boy
Post Number: 382
Registered: 1-2006
| | Posted on Thursday, March 23, 2006 - 11:30 pm: |
|
Travis, about that deterioration of the nervous system...
Seriously, thanks for responding to my stupid questions. I'm going to have to do something before this summer now. Otherwise I'm jinxed for posting about my, so far, good luck.
Everyone, I appreciate your concern. No well groomed hedges are worth my life. Hopefully I won't get electricuted installing GFIC outlets.
J.B. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page