Extension Cord Outlet Box

Step 2 Connect extension cord to outlet.

I purchased a 25 foot extension cord. Make sure that the extension cord has all three plugs on it. You'll want to have the grounding action for most applications. I simply removed the "female" end of the cord, for those of you who don't know what that means, it's the end that doesn't plug into the wall. Make sure that the cord isn't plugged into the wall. I then removed approximately two inches of outer insulation, and then stripped away just over 1/2 inch of insulation from each of the three wires.

Bend the end of the wires into a little hook, and use the appropriate screw to connect them to the outlet. The green (sometimes bare copper) wire is the grounding wire, and should be connected to the green screw on the outlet. The two wires left, which will probably be black and white, are the 'hot' and 'neutral' wires respectively. The back of the outlet should say right on it which screws are which. Connect the black and white wires using the appropriate screws.

Oh yeah, make sure that you have fed the end of the cord through the junction box before you start connecting the wires (picture 2), or else you'll have to do it all over again :- )

Comments

[aweirick]

is there a company that makes anything like this? im doing something similar only my dad has made me agree to only use commercial products and not make it myself

[matthewbeckler]

Well, you could always get a power strip and mount that to your desk. I know that some of the power strips I've had have nice slots on the back for screw heads, so you can put a couple screws into the wall/bench/etc and then slide the screw heads into the back of the power switch. That might work for you.