I know the old adage about never running an extentsion cord under a rug. BUT, I need to get power to a 25 watt lamp in the grand hall of the mini-manse. Electrician can't even start here till mid January. The cord would run under an oriental and cross a seldom used doorway. The only person that would be walking over/near the buried cord would be me and I would step over it. Sooooo, how stupid is this idea?
Burnin' the house down
- Thread starter cuffs054
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Coming from a family who caused a long line of electrical fires, I'd say don't do it. If you must, I believe you can get a cable channel to run over the rug but that will protect the cord.
I wouldn't. Put it in a cable channel. They're cheap
Many are also quite flat. Second thought, could you run a 12 volt lamp?
Many are also quite flat. Second thought, could you run a 12 volt lamp?
No! Despite all your best intentions it WILL get stepped on! and one thing no one has said is that if, and I mean if, it causes a fire, I don't think your insurance company will cover the damage. There isn't a outlet anywhere close by, like on the other side of the wall? I've added plugs countless times where I needed them by tapping into an outlet on the other side of the wall. I even put an oulet in my pantry closet for the microwave by going through the wall. Easy to do! Greg
Lux, one of the joys of owning an historic house is how to be creative with extension cords! The last owner of this house had some outlets put in, but in stupid places. So I'm stuck till sparky gets here. Plus the 100yr old plaster walls are not easy to deal with. Never thought of the cable channel, I check it out. Thanks for all the suggestions.
I didn't know it was historic! That makes ALL the difference in the world! But now you've gotten me jealous! I've always dreamed of owning one. Worked in one for 34 years, but not the same...! I've always live in 50's era homes. Maybe one plug per wall. My new digs (2006) has so many plugs I have a hard time choosing. What I can't understand in 2 rooms is why there are plugs behind doors in corners....code!
If you dress up for Christmas, how about a pic or two! G
If you dress up for Christmas, how about a pic or two! G
Lux, this is my second Historic house. The first one has taken over 15yrs to get where I wanted and $$ spent were scary. It's still up for sale but I moved into another one. Living in one is an experience, particularly the utilities bills. I served as Vice Chair of the Hysteric Commission here in Monticello for 8 yrs. I always suggest a buyer speak to some owners prior to dropping the hammer.
I hear you
Live in a house built in the 19th century.
I've learned to use wireless technology and 12volt LED lighting for many things. Saved a lot of money and torn up walls.
Live in a house built in the 19th century.
I've learned to use wireless technology and 12volt LED lighting for many things. Saved a lot of money and torn up walls.
Why didn't we have the same technology when I had those old apartment buildings. they were all pre 1900 buildings. I did what knew what to do for the times in the 80's before I took an Energy Auditing course. Finally I said I am out of here and let the new owners deal with the crap, sold all them and here I am now at my families converted camp. In the mid 90's I did everything right for energy efficiency when converting it to year round and I have got a huge payback after 20 plus years. I put outlets and separate breakers for everything even though every inside wall was torn out and totally replaced. Worth every cent to turn a 1959 into a today place that I originally grew up in as a kid.
Panthera, Monticello had ele very early thanks to the damn and power house. My other house still has the ceramic tubes where the mains came into the attic. When I got it it was still all knob and tube with a 60 amp fuse box. I had it completely rewired and put in 200 amp service. My next store neighbor put in 400 amp service in his. Of course, after the rewire there was HVAC, plumbing, roof, leveling floors, repairing plaster, the list goes on forever! The mini-manse thankfully has had a good bit of rewiring already done and an almost new gas-pack. Plus the kitchen has been re-done and the appliances are relatively new, but all BOL.
Nothing wrong with BOL
What ain't there can't break.
And yes, old houses have their little ways. Wouldn't change it for a ticky-tacky little box though. Not in a million years.
[this post was last edited: 12/2/2016-02:44]
What ain't there can't break.
And yes, old houses have their little ways. Wouldn't change it for a ticky-tacky little box though. Not in a million years.
[this post was last edited: 12/2/2016-02:44]
warmsecondrinse
Well-known member
Just a thought: on eBay you can buy USB lamps that have 1 to 36 LEDs and plug into a USB port. I have one stuck into a power pack and use it for <span style="text-decoration: line-through;">bedroom fun</span> evening activities when you don;t really want a light on but still need to see. You could set a few up behind some period pieces. Cheap and no worries about electrical fires 
Just a thought,
Jim
Just a thought,
Jim
Nothing wrong with running an extension under a rug as long as the cord isn't loaded to the point of generating significant heat. 25 watts at 120v is .2 amps, there will be no heating in the cord. I would be hesitant to plug a 1500w heater in though.
Foot traffic on the cord won't hurt it either, I have a cord here at work that the fork lift has run over a few hundred times.
It is always a good idea to be cautious, but being reasonable is good too.
Foot traffic on the cord won't hurt it either, I have a cord here at work that the fork lift has run over a few hundred times.
It is always a good idea to be cautious, but being reasonable is good too.
KB, thanks for the info. I didn't think the wattage of the lamp would call too much of a problem, but "Safety First". After that you're on your own!
gusherb
Well-known member
Speaking of burnin the house down...
I went to dinner last night and found this...
I was ready to call the fire department and located the nearest exit just in case.
I went to dinner last night and found this...
I was ready to call the fire department and located the nearest exit just in case.
oldskool
Well-known member
Agree with...
KB & GusHerb....
....a 25 watt bulb should be no problem unless the cord is frayed or otherwise damaged. And yes, to the opposite end of the spectrum, the pictures of an improperly energized space heater would likely cause a disaster.
Another idea? To minimize concerns, what about an LED bulb replacement, that would likely use even less current, or a battery powered LED light? Just ideas. Although we've used more current with longer cords and haven't had problems, but typically use a heavy extension cord with fuse capacity that will shut it off if a problem arises, and also have smoke detectors in every room.
Just my 2 cents worth.
John
KB & GusHerb....
....a 25 watt bulb should be no problem unless the cord is frayed or otherwise damaged. And yes, to the opposite end of the spectrum, the pictures of an improperly energized space heater would likely cause a disaster.
Another idea? To minimize concerns, what about an LED bulb replacement, that would likely use even less current, or a battery powered LED light? Just ideas. Although we've used more current with longer cords and haven't had problems, but typically use a heavy extension cord with fuse capacity that will shut it off if a problem arises, and also have smoke detectors in every room.
Just my 2 cents worth.
John
But Jonathan, you will note that nothing caught fire. Yes it is dicey for sure to be running kilowatt heaters on marginal cords like that, but as long as the cords don't overheat it poses no problem. Cords in open air will likely stay cool, or at least you will see the smoke faster if and when it arises.
Heck it doesn't even wreck the heaters efficiency since the heat just comes from the cord instead lol
Heck it doesn't even wreck the heaters efficiency since the heat just comes from the cord instead lol
There are also plastic conduits that have an adhesive strip on the back. You can attach these conduits to the baseboard and run a heavy duty extension cord through it to the location where you need an outlet. This way you don't need to run a cord under a rug and the cord is kept neatly out of site. I've used a set up like this for our pellet stove for almost 20 years now. It's easy, safe and inexpensive.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/7/2016-14:17]
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/7/2016-14:17]
toploader55
Well-known member
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