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[Joseph D. Macry]

Saw this on the job site today.
I pointed it out to the supervisor, who said it was okay because both connector ends were tied up out of the water.
Also, he checked to make sure it was 12 gauge.
Discuss?

[Mark Cadwallader]

Is it plugged in to a GFCI-protected receptical?

edit: fix typo

[David Allred]

Jaws 2
It is safe as long as a shark doesn't bite into the conductors.

[Joseph D. Macry]

Is it plugged in to a GFIC-protected receptical?

I would hope so, but I didn't trace it back. Left that to the super.
This is new construction (a middle school), so there are temporary power centers about the building.
We had heavy rain the day before.

[Mike Sokol]

Saw this on the job site today.
I pointed it out to the supervisor, who said it was okay because both connector ends were tied up out of the water.
Also, he checked to make sure it was 12 gauge.
Discuss?

Is this SOOW or SJOOW cable? SOOW is extra hard service with a 600 volt rating. It has an extra-thick insulator cover that's rated for water and oil immersion. If it's SJOOW, that's Junior Hard Service with a 300 volt rating. SJOOW is still water and oil resistant, but probably won't pass inspection in this sort of situation. It's not really the water that's a problem, it's that the cable is laying on the floor where it can be stepped on, run over, and generally abused while laying in the water. Any kind of break in the insulation could become an electrocution hazard. That's why the heavier SOOW insulation should be required for this sort of situation. At least it's not a cheap orange Big Box cable.

[Joseph D. Macry]

Is this SOOW or SJOOW cable? SOOW is extra hard service with a 600 volt rating. It has an extra-thick insulator cover that's rated for water and oil immersion. If it's SJOOW, that's Junior Hard Service with a 300 volt rating. SJOOW is still water and oil resistant, but probably won't pass inspection in this sort of situation. It's not really the water that's a problem, it's that the cable is laying on the floor where it can be stepped on, run over, and generally abused while laying in the water. Any kind of break in the insulation could become an electrocution hazard. That's why the heavier SOOW insulation should be required for this sort of situation. At least it's not a cheap orange Big Box cable.

I looked at the cable and saw no markings at all on it.
Which made me wonder how the super knew it was 12-gauge.
I was mostly worried because I had to walk through the puddle and back to get to my part of the job. Tempted to toss an electrician in there to check it.

[Mike Sokol]

Is it plugged in to a GFIC-protected receptical?

Remember that even if the extension cord itself doesn't fail, if there's an interruption of the EGC ground going to the man-lift charger (broken receptacle connection, broken wire, failed bond inside of the lift) then that entire big hunk of metal could become electrically energized and create a serous shock hazard for anyone standing in the water and touching it. So a GFCI is indeed a lifesaver in that sort of situation. But best to check since it's your own life at stake.

Here's a previous thread where we discuss how a sump-pump with a failed ground electrocuted a young mother and her daughter: http://forums.prosoundweb.com/index.php?topic=155282.0

[Stephen Swaffer]

Temporary receptacles for construction are required to be GFCI protected.

It would be wise to gamble one's life on that assumption, though.

[John Roberts {JR}]

Just say no (f'n way). 

JR

[Lyle Williams]

Same sort of hazard with power cables run outside in bad weather.

Down here the regs demand GFCI/RCD protection plus monthly inspection and megger on construction sites.

[Frank DeWitt]

The power cord coming to my house from the pole is under ground and under water this time of year.  No GFI

[John Roberts {JR}]

The power cord coming to my house from the pole is under ground and under water this time of year.  No GFI

Maybe you can make some extensions cords with that kind of wire?

JR

[Joseph D. Macry]

The power cord coming to my house from the pole is under ground and under water this time of year.  No GFI

That cable is likely rated for underground burial.

[ProSoundWeb Community]