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Running an extension cord through pvc

28K views 6 replies 6 participants last post by  s10sleeper 
#1 ·
I spend alot of time outdoors and use my power tools or air compressor alot and use a 12 gauge contractors cord. One problem I always have is that with my outdoor receptacle being above my deck sometimes the cord slips between the boards and hangs up and really causes a problem if the storm door is opened as it also catches the cord sometimes, and already damaged my other cord.

I am wondering if there are any issues with running the cord through pvc along the edge of the house and to the receptacle to protect it.

I am also wondering, since my old cord is damaged at one end, if rather than trying to repair it, if there is any code violation of running it into a weatherproof box and wiring it to a GFCI receptacle, reason I wonder this is that I have one on hand and have had no other use for it as I rent the house and cannot do any wiring to it, but it has no GFCI outlet which concerns me at times.
 
#4 · (Edited)
You can make up a portable cord and plug assembly ending with a junction box with a GFCI receptacle in it.

While you are using it you can run it through a section of PVC pipe as it runs along the edge of the deck against the house so it doesn't fall in the crack. The pipe must be fat enough so the plug slips through and the cord is removed from the pipe before being put away for the day. (No harm if you left it out overnight on occasion.)
 
#5 ·
Actually he could just leave it in the pipe and roll it up to each end. As long as its unplugged its ok.
 
#6 ·
I you're going to the trouble to run conduit for an extension cord, might as well tie that conduit into an existing junction box and run some wires to a new receptacle at the end of the conduit.

That way you have something permanent and not cheesy like an extension cord hanging out of a piece of conduit year round.
 
#7 ·
This is not intended to be a permanent wiring. I always unplug my cords at night and bring them in. The reason I use extension cords is there is no way I will use my chopsaw on the wood deck, already once had an incident with sparks catching my buffing wheel on my grinder.

I cannot run any permanent wiring, as I rent the house I live in, and do not intend to be here much longer as the wiring does not meet the codes for the year it was moved to the current location and the landlord refuses to do any repairs. The way they grounded the house did not make sense, as the wire was connected to grey pvc, made no sense to me. Currently I used a piece of sucker rod and a grounding clamp to make sure my office had a ground.
 
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