Romex

Can I use "romex" like an extension cord....and put a 4 gang box on the end and a grounded plug on the other end? Trying to get power to "neighbors" xmas display.
Thanks

 

The materials that you suggest would not be a code compliant installation as they are not listed for such use.(although they are commonly used in this manner.There are products made by a company called Daniel Woodhead that are listed,but they are expensive.I will try to find their website and paste the url here.
Have you looked at extension cords with multi-tap ends or the multi-tap adapters made for extension cords?

Heres the website...http://www.danielwoodhead.com/catalo.../PPOB_edob.htm

You'll have to copy and paste it.

 

I have thought about that, but I have the romex, the waterproof box and I only need a plug....I have an open 220 with zero load right now....so for the cost of a plug I could help my neighbor....its about 120 foot run from my house, and 1/4 mile from his....I guessed it would not be up to code. Is it doable or dangerous....

 

Think of the danger involved when electricity and water are prevelent and there is an excellent path to ground for current to flow. This condition would arise any time you are outside and around electricity. Do not under any conditions use romex for an extension cord and put a four gang outlet box onto the end. This sounds like a hazard waiting to happen. Use extension cords approved for outdoor use and capable of carrying the current necessary to feed the load. You also need to check and make sure that the outlet you are plugging into has a Ground Fault Circuit Interupter receptacle (GFCI) or is protected by such. You can set up a resonably safe set up using extension cords for outdoor christmas lights.

 

Thanks Kevin
That's pretty straight forward....I'll get the guy to pop for the extension cord and he can plug into my power....BTW it is GFI...one last thing...What specs shoud the extension cord have? How many amps? Looking like he is putting quite a few lights on it...he thinks he needs four outlets and some are strung together?
Thanks you guys, this is really a help.

 

Most extension cords that are available state on the package if they are UL listed for outdoor use. As for your question on the ampacity. This would depend on how many lights are being run off of this ckt. The christmas lights that I use have a amp rating on the cord itself. By code you can load a 20 amp ckt up too 16 amps and a 15 amp ckt up to 12 amps. Add up all of the lights amperage values as listed and do not go above the above values. If you are close to the 15 amps you might look into buying a 10-3 extension cord. If you are on the lower side of twelve amps you can probaly get by with a 12-3 cord. Don't waste your time with buying 14 awg extension cords. On the back of the package of the extension cord it will have acceptable ratings by foot and the amp draw that you will be experiencing. Use these tables they are there for a very good reason. Also available are covers that help waterproof the connections between two extension cords. These would be advisable if you live in an area that has a very wet winter. But ifyou have GFCI receptacles feeding this they will instantly trip when something is going to ground. As for how many outlets that you need they make splitters that have a GFCI device buillt into them so you can split one cord into three seperate plugs, these also must be listed for outdoor use.

Good luck with your project and have a great Thanksgiving