I have a very tall garage door that has a garage door opener receptacle that is too far away for the cord on the unit to reach. Can I use a cord extension with the factory cord also so it will be long enough to reach the ceiling? I can't seem to find anything on cords in the code that would prevent me from doing this.
Cord extension for garage door opener
- Thread starter crtemp
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- Status
- Location
- Placerville, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Retired PV System Designer
Ask yourself two questions:
1. Is this cord being used as a substitute for normal building wiring (e.g. installing a receptacle closer to where it would be needed)?
2. Is there anything in the installation instructions (including the pages of t standard safety boiler plate that says that you have to plug the opener cord directly into a receptacle rather than using and extension cord?
OK. Three:
Would it be possible to permanently wire a new receptacle attached to whatever is supporting the opener machine?
1. Yes
2. I don't think so. I don't have access to any of that at this time.
3. I'm not sure if it is legal but I guess I could use FMC out of where the existing plug is and run it down to a handy box. Maybe zip tie the FMC to the supports of the opener. Not sure what I would I would attach the box to though.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Why wouldn't you simply secure the box to the support for the motor?
I also recommend that you forget the handy box idea and use a metal 4" square. Handy boxes are ridiculously small.
Also keep in mind a GFCI will be required and it has to be accessible.
In other words the GFCI cannot be located up at the motor.
I also recommend that you forget the handy box idea and use a metal 4" square. Handy boxes are ridiculously small.
Also keep in mind a GFCI will be required and it has to be accessible.
In other words the GFCI cannot be located up at the motor.
Thanks for the ideas. The inspectors here in my part of Washington dont care about gfci on garage door openers.
- Location
- Massachusetts
Regardless if the inspector cares or not if you are under a code that requires it you should put it in.
If someone gets hurt you will be in an indefensible postion.
If someone gets hurt you will be in an indefensible postion.
You might check with the door manufacturer and see if you can purchase a longer factory cord.
I see installs often that have cords that appear to be 6 or 8 ft long.
for example:
http://ddmgaragedoors.com/parts/garage-door-opener-cords.html
I see installs often that have cords that appear to be 6 or 8 ft long.
for example:
http://ddmgaragedoors.com/parts/garage-door-opener-cords.html
Last edited:
I'll just add the plug at this point. Sounds like the easiest method vs swapping out the cord. Might take me all of 4 minutes to do. Was mostly just curious if there was an actual code in the NEC that pevended a extension of the factory cord.
Thanks again for all the input
Gregg Harris
Senior Member
- Location
- Virginia
- Occupation
- Electrical,HVAC, Technical Trainer
I'll just add the plug at this point. Sounds like the easiest method vs swapping out the cord. Might take me all of 4 minutes to do. Was mostly just curious if there was an actual code in the NEC that pevended a extension of the factory cord.
Thanks again for all the input
There is no code preventing the use of the extensions cord provided it is exsposed.
Most all garage door openers can be hard wired per there listing and not require a GFCI.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I disagree with you on that.
If that is true, and I have my doubts with residential units, it would require installing a disconect switch for it.
readydave8
re member
- Location
- Clarkesville, Georgia
- Occupation
- electrician
I'll just add the plug at this point. Sounds like the easiest method vs swapping out the cord. Might take me all of 4 minutes to do.
4 minutes?
readydave8
re member
- Location
- Clarkesville, Georgia
- Occupation
- electrician
I'll just add the plug at this point. Sounds like the easiest method vs swapping out the cord. Might take me all of 4 minutes to do.
Look at your watch before you get out tools and again after you pick up, see if elapsed time may be actually a little longer than 4 minutes.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
It never used to be required, but I think there were too many people realizing their tools and appliances that tripped the receptacles down low did not have this problem if they ran a cord from that outlet in the ceiling. Problem is they do not realize the tripping was not just a nuisance it was an indication that something was wrong.
This could be pushing the meaning of fixed wiring of a structure a little. If the cord is entirely exposed and only extends vertically in this instance - I don't have too much trouble with it. It is not any more or less fixed than the cord that comes with the appliance, which IMO is not frequently interchanged nor requires any flexibility, so why does it have a cord in the first place? Everyone also thinks it is the electricians job to install and service them, because they are electrically powered I guess?? As far as service - I get the most calls when it is cold outside and the problem is the door doesn't want to move more so than there is a problem with the opener.
OP could always install a permanently wired pendant from the existing receptacle location to plug his door opener into and it would be code compliant.
- Location
- Massachusetts
We disagree.
How many feet before you do have a problem with it?
In the OPs case will the cord for the GO reach the fixed wiring of the structure without an extension cord?
Would you call that a professional installation?
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
I hear what you are saying. We also see many times where surge suppression is added through "power strip" style devices instead of installing multiple receptacles and permanent surge suppression equipment. How long can this cord be? IDK. I personally do not have much concern over it being any kind of fire issue if it is a vertical exposed run, as compared to seeing a cord running along a wall for several feet with appliances, furniture, storage, or whatever in front of it.
I suppose strict interpretation of NEC says it is not permitted.
Is the pendant a professional installation? If it is NEC compliant why wouldn't it be a professional installation?
- Location
- Massachusetts
There are many times we can install things code compliantly and the result is unprofessional.
kwired
Electron manager
- Location
- NE Nebraska
I guess we need to define what is unprofessional. And what qualifies a non-professional to make such judgement?
Otherwise it is nothing more than appearance. If you make it look appealing it may seem professional but be loaded with problems in a true professional persons eyes.
K8MHZ
Senior Member
- Occupation
- Electrician
- Location
- Tennessee NEC:2017
- Occupation
- Semi-Retired Electrician
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