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Electrical Wire and Cable


Don’t Burn Your House Down – The Key to Safe Extension Cords

How to Make Sure Your Extension Cord is Safe: Extension Cord Safety, The Key to a Safe Extension Cord and The Problem With Extension Cords.


Home Electrical Wiring Video

How to Wire a GFCI Outlet
without a Ground Wire

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Extension Cord Safety
Electrical Question: Is it safe to connect two 110 volt extension cords to separate circuits to make 220 volts?

This electrical repair question came from: Bob inTexas.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Bob.

How to Make Sure Your Extension Cord is Safe

extension-cord

Unsafe Extension Cords

Examples of  Dangerous Electrical Conditions

Safe Extension Cords

Extension Cord Application

More about Electrical Safety

Home Electrical Safety Checklist

More about Home Electrical Extension Cords

Home Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety Articles covering several topics of home electrical safety and Do-It-Yourself Electrical Safety.
Electrical Safety

Electrical Safety in the Home

A new approach to keep kids and electricity apart with hopes to prevent children from being injured by electricity.


The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring:

» You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! «

Here's How to Do It:
Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book

Great for any Home Wiring Project.
  electrical wiring  

Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring

Perfect for Homeowners, Students,
Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians
Includes:
Wiring GFCI Outlets
Wiring Home Electric Circuits
120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits
Wiring Light Switches
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range
Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet
How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring
Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring
NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring
....and much more.


Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring
with my Online Video Course:
Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example


Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right

The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires!

The Non-Contact Electrical Tester
This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use.

The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring!

The Plug-In Outlet Tester
This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring.
It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use.

Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire!

The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter
My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires.
This handy tool has multiple uses:
The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation.
The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets..

The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.


More articles about Electrical Repair and Home Electrical Wiring:
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Adding a Remote Control Module to a Ceiling Fan Neutral and Ground Wires in a Sub Panel


FAQs Frequently Asked Questions and Comments

2 Responses to “Don’t Burn Your House Down – The Key to Safe Extension Cords”
  1. Bob K says:

    Are the short 1-2 foot, 3-prong, heavy duty multiple outlet extension cords that have their own reset buttons, any safer?

  2. Dave Rongey says:

    Hi Bob,
    Without knowing any details about the heavy duty extension cords you described and the application, I would say that the extension cord should be UL Listed and Approved, and only used for the Described Intended and Approved Purpose Only. We should never modify an extension cord, or use it for any purpose other that what the extension cord has been designed for, and within the limitations defined and approved by the Underwriters Laboratory.
    I hope this helps,
    Dave