Power Cord Fire Harzard?
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1. Violate building codes most everywhere
2. Invalidate your fire insurance
3. Potentially heat up enough to start a fire, if wire gauge was too small, or cord was run through insulation.
4. chafing hazard on the wire jacket because the jacket insulation is not rated. Romex has a much tougher jacket.
5. Increased reliability of solid core wire not causing heat buildup as the wire ages.
That's pretty much it.
1. Violate building codes most everywhere
2. Invalidate your fire insurance
3. Potentially heat up enough to start a fire, if wire gauge was too small, or cord was run through insulation.
4. chafing hazard on the wire jacket because the jacket insulation is not rated. Romex has a much tougher jacket.
5. Increased reliability of solid core wire not causing heat buildup as the wire ages.
That's pretty much it.
Yep, if you were willing to poke a hole in the wall to fish a power cord through to a lower opening, you've already signed up for 90% of the work of installing a PowerBridge or similar device. No live circuits to touch, so about as non-electrical as electrical work can be...
Jeff
Jeff
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Until you tie it into the outlet / circuit nearby, of course ...
I hesitate to say this, because I am of the opinion that electrical is something you shouldn't mess with if you are at all uncomfortable with it. Electricity can kill you a lot faster than a leaky plumbing fixture can. However, this one would be about as easy as it gets. Get a good book on wiring, read how to install an outlet, take your time, follow all of the precautions the book will probably lay out for you, and you can probably do this one yourself.
Don't be afraid to call an electrician if this is not a DIY task you feel you can do. Likewise, this particular task is well suited for most DIY-ers.
Until you tie it into the outlet / circuit nearby, of course ...
I hesitate to say this, because I am of the opinion that electrical is something you shouldn't mess with if you are at all uncomfortable with it. Electricity can kill you a lot faster than a leaky plumbing fixture can. However, this one would be about as easy as it gets. Get a good book on wiring, read how to install an outlet, take your time, follow all of the precautions the book will probably lay out for you, and you can probably do this one yourself.
Don't be afraid to call an electrician if this is not a DIY task you feel you can do. Likewise, this particular task is well suited for most DIY-ers.
The PowerBridge solutions don't tie in directly - you end up with a power cord to plug into an existing outlet. But, yes, technically one could still screw it up...
+1. If the DIY electrical books from Home Depot seem like too much - absolutely time to call a pro. All of us have called pro's in to do something we didn't feel confident in doing ourselves.
Jeff
The PowerBridge solutions don't tie in directly - you end up with a power cord to plug into an existing outlet. But, yes, technically one could still screw it up...
+1. If the DIY electrical books from Home Depot seem like too much - absolutely time to call a pro. All of us have called pro's in to do something we didn't feel confident in doing ourselves.
Jeff
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1,171 Posts
I missed the PowerBridge part of your post. I read too quickly. I was referring to an actual outlet to be mounted high on the wall, tied into a nearby circuit. But yes, if one were to install a PowerBridge, there would be no electrical circuits to mess with.
I missed the PowerBridge part of your post. I read too quickly. I was referring to an actual outlet to be mounted high on the wall, tied into a nearby circuit. But yes, if one were to install a PowerBridge, there would be no electrical circuits to mess with.
It is indeed a code violation and does bring up the insurance question.
But in reality running a power cord a few feet up a wall to a TV is harmless. It's not going to start a fire or cause any other damage.
And as far as insulation damage, a cord is tougher then Romex.
IMO, they should revise the NEC to allow a 6 foot cord to be dropped through the wall up to four feet for a TV installation. With flat screens this is a very commen problem these days.
Still again, it is illegal as of today.
But in reality running a power cord a few feet up a wall to a TV is harmless. It's not going to start a fire or cause any other damage.
And as far as insulation damage, a cord is tougher then Romex.
IMO, they should revise the NEC to allow a 6 foot cord to be dropped through the wall up to four feet for a TV installation. With flat screens this is a very commen problem these days.
Still again, it is illegal as of today.
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A harzard is fine. It's the hazards you need to watch out for...
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