‘WIRED FOR SUCCESS’

I was speaking with someone at a social gathering who said his wife bought some Halloween lights from that cheap site online, and wants to string them in their backyard for a party, including over the swimming pool. I immediately informed him I already had plans the night of the party. This is not a good idea.

The National Electrical Code (NEC) prohibits this in two or three sections, however, the problem is enforcement. The NEC

is a static document and is generally only referred to when inspectors are determining if an installation is in compliance on a project for which a permit has been applied. Therefore, if a homeowner temporarily installs or permanently constructs something on their own without seeking a permit, there is no safety check.

Plugging an extension cord into an outdoor outlet should typically be a safe maneuver IF the premises is up to current code, and specifically if the outlet is Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) protected.

Outdoor outlets and ones near a water source are required to be GFCI protected. The current standard for a GFCI feature is that the circuit is opened (flow of electricity stops) when an imbalance of 4-6 milliamps is detected.

There are two ways to protect an outlet, one is with a GFCI receptacle, the other is with a GFCI Breaker. The GFCI receptacle is less expensive and will protect anything plugged into it and “downstream”. It is easy to reset locally if that outlet is providing power to an appliance or situation at risk. Some people do not like the aesthetics of the buttons however and prefer the slightly more expensive method of a GFCI breaker.

The GFCI breaker will protect the entire circuit, including all outlets and all wiring. It allows standard or decora duplex receptacles to be used, but the reset is in the circuit breaker panel.

The risk of plugging in an extension cord is the uncertainty that the outlet is indeed GFCI protected. An outdoor social event may require more electrical outlets than are present outside, and someone may plug an extension cord into an indoor outlet to supply power to something like string lights. If the string lights are not plugged into a GFCI protected circuit and not hung securely, thus falling into the pool especially if the cheap light breaks, you now have 110 volts in the pool.

This is the same as throwing the toaster into the bathtub.

I suggested the people throwing the party to keep electrical cords, appliances, and lights away from the pool or any body of water. They should be capable of decorating their backyard in such a way they could accomplish this goal because the risk of failure isn’t worth the reward — Especially on spooky Halloween.

Photo Credit: Mike The Pool Man: https://mikethepoolman.com.