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Thread ID: 146341 2018-07-08 05:51:00 Legal question for electricians Tony (4941) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1451331 2018-07-08 05:51:00 Am I legally allowed to make up my own extension cord? I've just been speaking to someone (non-sparky) who thinks it is not legal. Tony (4941)
1451332 2018-07-08 06:13:00 Extension Cords may not be a problem.

Have a read of these: worksafe.govt.nz (near the bottom of the page)

and

worksafe.govt.nz
wainuitech (129)
1451333 2018-07-08 06:24:00 Yes.
What are you going to do with it?
You probably won't be allowed to sell it....

Your own use, go for it.

Husband wired the garage (not here), had friend sign it off.
He has added power points here. Does pretty most of it. Didn't ask anyone first.
piroska (17583)
1451334 2018-07-08 08:38:00 Why would you want to buy one they are cheap enough to buy ready made, and in different wire sizes. By thhe time you have bought a plug & socket. Found somewhere that will cut to length (M10). It will probably be cheaper readymade. Poppa John (284)
1451335 2018-07-08 09:12:00 I made up, and installed, an extension cord for our motorhome. I asked no-one and told nobody.

I can't see what the problem is. It's not as though it's difficult. It's only a matter of keeping the correct colours on the correct pins. It's quite simple. You don't need to be an electrician to work that out.

I would say, go for it. As long as you are careful it can't be a problem.
Roscoe (6288)
1451336 2018-07-08 09:49:00 Thanks people. I thought it was OK, but I wanted to be able to set my friend's mind at rest. She needs an extension of about 1m, and hadn't been able to find anything. I did a search and pointed her at a couple of places, so the question may no longer be immediately relevant anyway, but it is good to have the reassurance. Tony (4941)
1451337 2018-07-08 10:32:00 I've got two custom ones, both really short as I only needed to extend by a few centimetres :p pcuser42 (130)
1451338 2018-07-08 10:35:00 Thanks people. I thought it was OK, but I wanted to be able to set my friend's mind at rest. She needs an extension of about 1m, and hadn't been able to find anything. I did a search and pointed her at a couple of places, so the question may no longer be immediately relevant anyway, but it is good to have the reassurance. Bunnings & Mitre 10 have them Around $4.50 wainuitech (129)
1451339 2018-07-08 23:30:00 Really depends, extension leads are not for permanent wiring, so only for temporary supply. I think that limit is 30 days for commercial use.

You also would want it tested/certified for insurance and safety reasons.

The cost for an extension lead doesn't really justify a DIY to be honest and normally the cost for new plug ends also exceed the cost for a new lead. However, not all leads are the same and normally have a wattage limit. If the lead is getting hot, you're overloading it and risking fire.
Kame (312)
1451340 2018-07-09 00:05:00 Got me thinking...what about wiring in a extension lead to a batten bulb holder (new from Mitre-10), and power board. I have done that for a family member to her garage from the house. I's kinda fixed, in that the cord is strung to the garage, sometimes for weeks - usually summer time for birthday parties.

As for cords - I learnt to buy quality branded ones (good amps/wattage as noted by Kame) - if using for dryers, and w/m. I found cheap ones, as an extension, would trip fuse. Apparently they were pulled from The Warehouse or K-Mart shelves.
kahawai chaser (3545)
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