The Extension cord from Hell

Step 9 Checkout and Finished project

Before you plug this into the wall, some basic safety checks.

You need a Digital Multi Meter (you do know how to use one, right?)

Using the OHMS settings, check for shorts between the conductors on the cable. Neutral to ground, neutral to hot, and hot to ground. If you find any, check all your work and repair the problem. Check that the metal boxes are connected ONLY to the ground conductor! YOUR SAFETY DEPENDS ON THIS CHECK!

If the unit passes the short check finish installing the unit where you want it, make sure all the covers are fully tightened down.

Plug the unit into power. If you pop the breaker you plugged into, check your work for shorts again.

Use an outlet tester to check all the outlets, including the cable receptacle. If the outlet tester shows correct wiring in all the outlets, you can use the project. If not, find the error and repair it before use.

Comments

[doommeister]

This looks like a good build but you need to add one thing to your 'ible. That the combined load (amps) of the equipment connected to your extension cord is not greater than that which your cable (or that in the supply) is rated at. I.E don't connect 20A of load to a cable rated at 13A. It would also be wise to include a fuse in the live connection rated at just below your cables amperage, this would help protect the extension against over current heating up your extension cable.