How To Fix Broken Wire On Disposable Vape? The 127 Detailed Answer

In this Instructable I will teach you four ways to connect a wire without soldering. Soldering can be tricky and heats up the room, so why not just skip it altogether if you can? Another annoying thing about soldering is that it takes a while to heat up, solder a joint and then, hopefully without burning yourself, hang the iron back on a stand or hook. If you want to save time and make quick and easy connections, read this guide and learn the different methods to connect a wire without soldering.

The methods described use a variety of materials and tools. So if you don’t have all the materials for one method, you can just look at another method. If you’re having trouble finding supplies and tools, consider stopping by your local hardware or electronics store to get the tools you need. In this Instructable, I’ve rated the strength of the different methods on a low, medium, and high scale. If you’re creating a temporary circuit or project, the low category methods are probably best suited as they allow for easy disconnection after you’ve made a joint. However, if you’re making a permanent circuit or a project that moves a lot, the medium or high levels are probably best so you don’t fall apart in the middle of an experiment.

Before you begin, you need to learn some basics about connecting wires. Most wires are sheathed in a plastic insulator. An insulator is something that protects the wire from heat and prevents other wires from touching each other. When connecting wires, you must have a bare end with no insulation. The term for stripping insulation from a wire is referred to as “wire stripping”. You will need a pair of wire strippers/cutters, pliers, and a spool of stranded wire. First, look at your wire strippers and look for the holes marked with a number. The number represents the thickness or width of the hole. The smaller the gauge number, the wider the wire. Look at your spool of wire and find out what gauge your wire is. Next, cut a small length of wire from the spool (start with 4″, this wire is for practice only). Insert 3/4″ of the wire into the hole in the appropriate gauge wire stripper. Grab the other end of the wire with pliers or very strong fingers and pull the wire stripper to the nearest end of the wire. After slight pressure, the plastic insulation should slide off, exposing the stranded wire underneath.

Another thing you need to know before we start is how to twist two wires together. All of the methods described except the “crimp method” and the “alligator clip method” require you to start with the wires twisted together. To twist two wires together, you must first strip the insulation from the wires. Next, hold the wires next to each other and twist them together with your thumb and forefinger. The resulting bond should be fairly strong and hold together when a small tug is applied. Now that you’ve learned these skills, you’re ready to learn four ways to join a wire without soldering.

Alligator Clip Method / Strength: Low – The alligator clip method is the weakest method detailed in this Instructable, but it’s perfect for quick and temporary connections. The ability of alligator clips to snap almost anywhere is very handy for not only connecting wires, but also for nailing things down and holding them up. What you’ll need: a packet of alligator clips (available at RadioShack, not the kind that comes with wires already connected), two wires with stripped ends.

Hold the two stripped ends of the wires parallel to each other. Snap an alligator clip onto it, making sure the “teeth” are touching both wires. Wasn’t that easy? You can also buy alligator clips connected to wires, or you can make your own.

Duct Tape Method/Strength: Medium – The Duct Tape Method is quite strong and requires a minimal amount of materials and effort. This method would be useful for permanent connections that need isolated connections. What you need: a roll of electrical tape and two wires, the ends of which are twisted together.

First lay the twisted part of the wires on a strip of electrical tape. Wrap the tape tightly around the wires 5-6 times, making sure to cover the entire wire. Pull on your connection to make sure it’s strong.

Hot Glue Method/Strength: High – The hot glue method is a strong bond that not only joins but also insulates the wires. The glue cools quickly so you don’t have to clamp the wires. What you’ll need: a hot glue gun and sticks (available at your local hobby store), a set of wires with twisted ends.

First, heat up your glue gun. Once heated, hold the glue gun perpendicular to the twisted wires and squeeze a dab of glue onto it. Next, use the nozzle of the glue gun or a pencil to swirl the glue around the wires. Swirling the glue forms a better bond than just leaving the blob of glue as it is. Make sure the entire portion of the stripped wire is coated with hot glue, then allow the hot glue to cool.

Crimping Method/Strength: High – The crimping method is by far the strongest method described and requires the most specialized tools, but can be mastered with practice. The tools are available at your local hardware or electronics store, or online. What you’ll need: A clamp (sometimes called a wire clamp) or a thin piece of 3/4 inch metal tubing (the tubing must be able to conduct electricity), a crimping tool, and a pair of stripped wires.

First insert the stripped part of a wire into the crimp up to the insulation. Repeat this process on the other wire. Next, place the crimp in the notch in the crimping tool. Squeeze the tool until the crimp crushes and bends into a “U” shape. Continue doing this with the rest of the ruffle until you have a furrow running the length of the ruffle. Give your wires a strong tug to make sure they are well connected. Crimping can take practice, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time.

In this Instructable, we explored four different ways to connect a wire without soldering. Hopefully you can use these methods in your circuits and projects.

When your favorite Secret Nature vape cart doesn’t hit, it’s natural to stop at nothing until you’re able to blow clouds again. However, we recommend quitting significantly shorter than other vapers have gone when encountering similar issues.

While it’s technically possible to unplug an Android charger and pop your vape cartridge out of an outlet, does that really sound like the smartest option? In this guide, you’ll learn why vape cartridges need batteries, why those batteries might stop working, and what to do when they do. Along the way, we’ll take a look at some of the ingenious methods people have come up with to continue vaping without a battery in sight – for purely academic purposes, of course.

What is a vape cartridge?

A vape cartridge is a disposable container of cannabis or hemp concentrate combined with a coil, atomizer, and everything else needed to turn cannabinoid concentrate into vapor once an energy source is provided. Convenient and highly effective vape cartridges that contain only natural ingredients have grown in popularity over the past few years.

Do vape cartridges have batteries?

Yes, vape cartridges need to be connected to batteries to produce vapor. The vape cartridge uses the electricity in the battery to power its coil, gently vaporizing cannabis concentrate into a vaporized state.

The mechanism depends on the design of the cartridge, but most vape cartridges are designed to accept 510-threaded cartridges, the universal standard in the industry. Vape batteries only hold a certain amount of charge before they need to be plugged in. Some batteries used for vape cartridges have higher battery capacity than others.

What to do if you lose your vape battery?

If your vape battery fails or you lose it, a replacement can usually be found without much difficulty. Virtually every city in the United States has a vape shop, and 510-thread vape batteries generally cost around $5 to $50.

Vape batteries are also widely available online, and expedited shipping options are often available. With vape batteries being so affordable and plentiful, there really is no reason to resort to more drastic approaches.

Can you hit a bullet with an Android charger?

Yes, you can technically use an Android charging cable to hit a vape cartridge without a battery. The method is quite simple and many people have already tried it on the internet. However, there is room for danger when dealing with electricity. Also, there hasn’t been any widespread confirmation that the Android charging method of hitting a vape cartridge is safe.

For these reasons, we strongly advise you not to try the Android charging method if you are stuck with a vape charger and no battery. Whether it’s a quick trip to a store or a few days waiting for an online package to arrive, you’ll have plenty of time to avoid shoving live wires into your poor vape cartridge.

How to hit a cart with a black wire: 5 steps

If you want to learn more about how to use an Android charger to hit a vape cartridge, we compile the list of steps below. Again, we don’t recommend attempting this at home.

1. Disconnect the charging port of an Android charger

Use scissors to cut the charging connector (the part that goes into the phone), not the USB connector (the part that plugs into an AC USB dongle) of the Android charger towards the base. Make sure there is enough space to be accessible from a laptop, desktop, or wall USB port.

2. Remove the green and white wires

For this project, you only need the red and black wires in your android charger. Cut off the other two, which should be white and green.

3. Strip the ends of the black and red wires

Use wire strippers to strip the ends of the black and red wires. If you don’t have wire strippers, nail clippers will work—just don’t melt the ends of your wires with a lighter.

4. Insert the black cable into your cartridge

Locate the small circular hole in the center of the bottom of your vape cartridge. Insert the stripped end of the black wire firmly into this hole.

5. Touch the red wire on the outside of the carriage

Lightly touch the outer metal surface of the vape cartridge with the red wire. At this point you can plug your Android charger into a powered USB slot. You should immediately hear a hissing sound and notice steam escaping from your car. Breathe in carefully as this punch is likely to be a lot harder than you are used to.

Why does hitting a vape cart with an Android charger work?

In Android mobile device chargers, the red and wires serve as negative and positive lines, respectively. The white and green wires serve different purposes. On a vape battery, the connection between the battery and the cartridge provides a positive lead, and the battery serves as ground.

Using a Live Android charger will replace the battery’s positive wire with the new positive wire you stripped inside the charger. Tap the red (negative) wire on the outside of the cartridge or battery to ground it, complete a circuit and apply power to the coil of the vape cartridge.

Can you hit a dab pen with an iPhone charger?

Yes, you can also use an iPhone charger to hit a vape pen. Both OEM Apple iPhone chargers and third-party charging cables will work, but remember that the wiring schematic for Apple cables is significantly more complicated than their Android equivalents. This is why most desperate (or just curious) vapers usually decide to try this vape battery alternative with Android chargers.

Can you hit a vape cartridge with a lighter?

Some cannabis users online have reported successfully hitting vape cartridges with lighters, but this is a method we certainly wouldn’t recommend. Whether or not it’s possible to ignite the vapor in a cartridge by lighting a flame at its bottom hole, doing so could burn you or fill the resulting smoke with heavy metals and other dangerous contaminants. We can sort of understand being desperate enough to harness the modern power of electricity, but lighting a flame on a vape cart would definitely be Stone Age.

Can you dab a broken shopping cart?

If by “broken cart” you refer to a vape cartridge with a broken glass wall, then the answer is absolutely “no” if you don’t want to inhale into your lungs any hemp or cannabis concentrate that’s still inside. The vapor you inhale is accompanied by microscopic glass fragments that could seriously damage your airways. Always do the right thing when you break down a cart and throw it away.

3 reasons why you should just buy a new battery

The cat is out of the bag. If you wanted to, you could just grab an Android charging cable and some wire strippers and get to work. However, outside of a cool electrical experiment, there’s not much value in rigging a vape cartridge to dab through a USB port.

It’s not like vape batteries are some fabled, mystical item. Also, no one has ever made a rule that you can only keep one vape battery in your house or car at a time. Most importantly, now that you’ve seen the alternative, you know firsthand the importance of using vape cartridges only as they were intended: with a rechargeable battery. Let’s examine each of these points in more detail.

Vape batteries are cheap

If you want to feel fancy, you can buy a $100 510 thread vape battery. However, it will likely fail just as quickly as that $10 disposable battery you bought at the same time. If you’re spending money on cannabis or hemp vape cartridges but are afraid to throw away a few bucks on a new battery, you need to reevaluate some priorities.

You can stock multiples

Here’s a crazy idea: instead of just buying a new vape battery when your current one breaks, why not invest in a few so you’re ready when disaster strikes? If you’re a frequent vaper, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to buy up to 10 disposable vape batteries at a time.

You might not use them for years, but at least you’ll never have to worry about running out of a vape battery if you ever need it again. Also, such an expense could cost you less than $100 if you play your cards right.

Hitting carts in any other way is dangerous

In the end, there’s only one real way to hit a vape cart: Connected to a charged battery. Other methods might provide quick results, but you sacrifice your safety and security. Instead of frantically searching the internet for alternatives after your vape battery dies, just grab another battery – or more.

Today’s electrical industry is much more advanced than it was a century ago. All certified technicians should know the basic instructions for operating the equipment in their tool box. When it comes to the more delicate work of a building or warehouse, there may be times when you’re on the job and need a quick fix to a leaking pipe or find a cord fraying a bit. In these cases, electrical tape is an electrician’s best friend. Below is a safety checklist to help protect you and your employees when troubleshooting minor electrical problems.

Things to know before investing in electrical tape

Vinyl electrical tape is the most effective and popular of all tapes and offers a great “stretch factor”. They can maintain their grip even under extreme wear, which is another reason for the preference.

Electrical tapes are made with a PVC backing and a rubber-based adhesive. They offer exceptional heat resistance – they can withstand temperatures in excess of 200°F.

Electrical tape comes in all sorts of colors, but this isn’t intended to allow contractors to pick their favorite shade and arrive at the checkout. These tapes are used for electrical phase tasks. Each color represents a specific application and voltage level that characterizes the wire for which it is used. It would be wise to learn what each color represents and have a color coding guide available for reference as you work. Carelessness in choosing colors for phasing jobs raises major safety concerns – putting other technicians at risk of electrocution if they are not properly prepared for the high voltage cables they will be working with.

Click here to learn what each color represents.

A popular question about electrical tape is, can I use wire nuts instead of electrical tape?

Intended for use with low voltage systems such as light switches or junction boxes, wire nuts are used as electrical connectors rather than as a means of insulation. This is very different from electrical tape and should by no means be used as a substitute.

Don’t try to double the insulation

Electrical tape is an insulating material itself, but covering the tape with another layer of insulating material is generally not a safe idea. If you are considering using electrical tape to cover water pipes, please be careful. Putting insulation on the tape will make it much hotter, especially in winter. Pressing flammable insulation against electrical tape can expose you to potential danger, so make sure you choose between one or the other.

Do not use electrical tape to seal loose wire ends

While it may be tempting to keep wrapping new tape around exposed wires, don’t let the damage get too out of control. This means anything beyond a minor abrasion or cut. Replace badly damaged cords to avoid live wires that can cause electric shock if touched.

Use proper technique to wrap your tape

Because electrical tape is typically used around more circular objects like pipes and wires, a bit of engineering is required to wrap the tape. The stretch of the tape allows you to pull on it during wrapping, keeping it a secure and reliable fit. This prevents tape failures and maintenance recalls in the future.

Electrical tape, as anyone with a toolbox knows, is an essential tool for a variety of uses at work. Its heat resistance and insulating properties provide benefits technicians would not get from many other types of tape. Electrical tape can be used on wiring and components that are part of a larger electrical framework, so it is extremely important to exercise caution and learn good practices before using it.

Caryl Anne Crowne is a writer and media specialist for Mr. Electric. She often produces content for a variety of electronic blogs.

Cut loose live wires

It can be helpful to cover wires when renovating your home or doing electrical repairs. These wires can cause electric shock if exposed. If there are several wires, the cap should fit the strands in the wire gauge.

The caps need to hold the wires tightly so they don’t fall off after unscrewing. If the live wires don’t fit in the caps, you can bend them to make sure the cap stays in place. You can also cap the white and black wires and leave out the ground wire.

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Use of wire nuts

You can terminate individual wires with wire nuts. The use of wire nuts is particularly recommended when you are making repairs and live wires are exposed. Working on live circuits is dangerous.

Wire nuts allow you to remove power from specific active circuits without necessarily removing power to the whole house or even the entire room.

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Install junction box

A junction box can help make live wires safe. Assuming the junction box is far away from the live wires you are working on, you can install another junction box to terminate the live wires after covering them. After covering or using wire nuts, place a cover plate over the junction box. A junction box is important, especially if you plan on reusing the cables in the future, as you’ll want to avoid pulling the cables off the drywall.

However, avoid installing too many junction boxes; Use the nearest junction box and install it if necessary. You can also paint the cover to match the color of the wall or ceiling.

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Finish with electrical tape

Electrical tape is the easiest way to make electrical wiring safe. As an extra precaution, also use tape on cut live power cords. Adhesive tapes can be used on loose live wires that do not fit in the cap.

You can just use tape over the live wire to fit it into the cap. However, it is important to terminate the cable in a junction box and avoid burying the cable in the wall. The tape can come loose when the temperature changes, and in such situations live electrical wiring can become potentially hazardous.

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Bend the live wires for the screw connection

Screw in the live wires tightly as they may vibrate and become loose during use. Bend the loops with a cable stripping tool and fasten it tightly around the screw.

If doing this with live electrical wires, make sure the loop fits when the screw is tightened to prevent missing strands of wire. Each screw should only fasten one wire. Bending live wires limits short circuits that often occur when live wires cross each other.

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Proper handling of live wires is one of the most important safety measures when it comes to electricity. If you do not have the necessary tools or expertise, you can always contact an electrician to solve the problem.

TN Robinson Ltd stock a range of tools and accessories to enable you to work safely with live cables. Call us today on 0161 480 9141 for more information or download our new catalogue.

To learn more about electrical tape, visit our Electrical Tape Color Chart or our Electrical Tape Materials Chart.

What is electrical insulation tape? Electrical tape is used primarily for safety reasons to protect, insulate and shield a wide range of electrically conductive wires and cables. Also known as thermal insulation or electrical tape, it is widely used in both professional and domestic settings. Electrical tape is available in a variety of sizes and lengths for different applications. It is also available in a variety of materials and colors to ensure optimal insulation properties and allow for precise color coding of different cables and wires.

In this guide, we will examine the main types of electrical tape, covering key safety features as well as the most commonly used electrical tape alternatives. Search all insulating tapes

What Are the Best Types of Electrical Tape? With so many different types of electrical insulation tape, it can be difficult to choose just one. From different colors and sizes to thicknesses and backing materials, choosing the best product for the application is crucial. Here are some of the most popular brands that we offer. Each has an extensive selection of quality products – click through to view the full range:

Is electrical tape waterproof? The short answer to this question is that electrical tape is not waterproof. Although it’s stretchy and elastic, meaning it can easily be wrapped tightly around devices like hoses, the band itself isn’t waterproof. Waterproof electrical tape is not possible or practical because the adhesive is likely to lose its properties when wet and the gasket cannot hold its shape under pressure. Instead, most types of electrical tape have some level of weather and water resistance. This ensures that the tape can work with low levels of moisture but will not work in situations where larger levels of liquid are involved. Always remember the importance of keeping cords and electrical equipment away from water and liquids. Water acts as a conductor for electricity and can be incredibly dangerous. You must follow the relevant safety instructions at all times. If you are looking for waterproof tape for use in non-electrical environments we also stock a wide range of PTFE tapes. PTFE thread seal tape is water repellent rather than waterproof, but it is a much more suitable alternative to electrical tape for plumbing and ductwork related applications.

For more information, see our comprehensive guide to PTFE belts.

What can I use instead of electrical tape? There are several alternatives to electrical tape available, with common solutions including heat shrink tubing and wire ties – also known as wire nuts. Wire connectors are essentially insulated caps with internal threads. They are usually made of plastic and are designed to attach to the end of a stripped wire. Other types of tape are generally not recommended as a substitute for electrical tape when in direct contact with wiring or circuitry. This is because they are designed for other applications and tend to lack sufficient thermal or insulating properties for electrical use. This can lead to them quickly becoming insecure if used incorrectly.

Heat shrink tubing is commonly found on wires in smaller electrical components and circuits, but is not typically used in domestic or industrial applications where the wire gauge tends to be much larger. Browse all heat shrink tubing

Electrical Tape vs. Duct Tape When dealing with electrical circuits, it is important to recognize and understand the main differences between electrical tape and duct tape. Some of the key points to keep in mind are listed below: Duct tape is a widely used hybrid pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that generally consists of a cloth backing coated with a thin layer of polyethylene or a similar flexible plastic

Adhesive tape is designed to provide a pliable adhesive layer with a reasonable level of adhesion to a wide variety of materials. It also offers a degree of moisture resistance, although not technically waterproof in more severe conditions

Although it can technically offer a little more protection against exposed wires than no covering at all, tape is NOT an electrically insulating material and is totally unsuitable for adequate protection against current

Adhesive tape is flammable if it can heat up to a significant extent

Duct tape is not particularly durable and will degrade relatively quickly in adverse conditions (ironically, it’s not well suited to plumbing for this reason) compared to most specialty tapes

Electrical tape is generally made of a stretchy vinyl or PVC material that provides better electrical insulation. While all tapes will eventually shift or deteriorate in particularly challenging environments, the right electrical tape from a reputable brand (like 3M) is usually far better suited to withstand adverse weather conditions, changing temperatures, penetrating moisture and chemical corrosion.

Is duct tape safe to use as an alternative to electrical tape? Duct tape is a versatile commodity and is NOT a suitable substitute for electrical tape when dealing with electricity.

Specially designed and manufactured to meet the everyday needs of electricians, electrical tape is the only suitable choice when adhesive tape is required in an electrical context. Duct tape or any other type of tape for that matter will not do the job safely. Browse All Duct Tape

How to Use Electrical Tape Typically, electrical tape is used for minor DIY jobs such as repairing and splicing small wires. However, under no circumstances should electrical tape be used to make key repairs to severely damaged wiring or to make durable connections in light switches, junction boxes and wiring outlets. In high demand and potentially high temperature environments such as these, electrical tape must be used exclusively alongside wire nuts and similar connectors that are specifically designed to ensure a safer and more secure solution. Also, electrical tape should not be applied individually to repair unspliced ​​or damaged wiring near combustible materials and home furnishings.

Can you use electrical tape to insulate wires? Electrical tape’s main purpose is to protect and insulate wires and similar connections. It is important to note that simply twisting wires together and using electrical tape to seal them is not an appropriate splicing technique to meet stringent safety standards in many applications. Wire connectors are also often required to achieve a fully compliant facility, so it is important to double-check any policies or procedures that may be relevant. Also, keep in mind that very few materials are consistently 100% nonconductive under the right combination of circumstances—despite the remarkable dielectric performance of many purpose-built electrical tapes. Given enough current and voltage, a short enough path to earth, and given the right or wrong environmental conditions, even the most specialized electrical tape could potentially conduct enough current to cause serious damage. Be aware of the limitations of electrical tapes when used incorrectly or unsafely and always turn off all circuits as much as possible before attempting any repair or maintenance work.

Can electrical tape catch fire? The majority of the leading manufacturers of electrical tape ensure that their products have strong thermal properties; Most types of insulating tape can be used at temperatures up to a maximum of 80° Celsius. However, electrical tape is actually flammable if it gets too hot. The likelihood of burns is generally quite low when the band is used properly in appropriate environments, although this depends entirely on the situation as well as the specific type of band. Some types of electrical tape can handle heat better than others, so it’s important to choose the best type of tape for your specific application.

Next you need to remove the insulating outer layer by peeling it from the inner wires.

Use your pliers to grab the cord near where you want to start your strip, about 4cm from the end of the cord. Then, using your cutting pliers, carefully cut through the outer insulation about 2cm from the end of the cable, being careful not to cut the wires inside. This can also be attempted with a knife or scissors.

Next, firmly but gently grasp the incision you made and peel off the insulator. Again, be careful not to press too hard or you may cut or tear the wires inside.

If you accidentally cut all or some of the internal wires, it’s no big deal. Just make a clean cut about an inch below where you peeled from and start that step over.

For more detailed instructions on stripping a wire, see steps 2 and 3 of Jayefuu’s Instructable here: https://www.instructables.com/id/Strip-and-Tin-Wir…

Many of us can agree on the problem of insufficient lighting in our homes. However, the remedy given in the March 11 Sunday Call Chronicle entitled “Get Light Where You Really Need It” (in Tom Schneider’s “Moveable Nest” column) is not the answer, especially when it is done by someone who knows little or nothing about electrical installations.

Every year, electrical fires leave families homeless, destroy irreplaceable property, and claim the lives of men, women, and children. Most of these fires are caused by improper wiring methods or the use of unsafe electrical appliances in the home.

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The wiring isn’t relatively “fail-safe” as stated in the Moveable Nest. Wiring by the inexperienced is a killer. It attacks in many cases without warning and when you least expect it, sometimes years after installation is complete.

Just because an installation works doesn’t mean it’s secure. Factors such as nicked wires, loose connections, incorrect wire size, reverse polarity (hot and neutral wires connected to the wrong terminals), and poor or no grounding of metal parts of electrical equipment can cause fire, electric shock, and electric shock.

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SUBMITTED WIRES

In any electrical installation, care must be taken not to nick the conductors when removing the insulation. If the wire is kinked, one of two things can happen:

*The nicked conductor is no longer able to carry its rated current through the damaged portion. If the nick is deep enough, the wire will overheat at the nicked location. This overheating is not detected by the fuse or circuit breaker and will result in an electrical fire.

*Over time (ranging from days to years), normal vibrations throughout the home can cause the wire to break at the notch. If the distance between the broken ends is small enough, the result is the same as a loose terminal on your car battery. Just as an arc occurs between the loose battery post and the battery post, an arc occurs across the broken conductor when current attempts to flow to the electrical load. Unlike the battery, which will discharge and die as arcing continues, the local utility will continue to pump power through the faulty wire. The arcing continues to build up excessive heat which again is not detected by the fuse or circuit breaker and a fire ensues.

LOOSE CONNECTIONS

Two points not mentioned in the March 11 article were:

*The clamp loops formed with the needle nose pliers must be wrapped around the lamp socket screw terminal in the same direction as the screw is tightened. This will ensure that the loop closes when the screw is tightened. If the loop is rolled up the wrong way round, the more you tighten the screw, the more the loop can open. The result is that the loop can slip out from under the screw head over time.

*To ensure a permanent connection without arcing and overheating, the screw terminals must be made as tight as possible without damaging the lamp socket screw terminals.

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WRONG CABLE SIZE

Most residential lighting circuits are wired with 14 gauge copper wire and protected with a 15 amp fuse or circuit breaker to prevent overheating of the wires due to circuit overload. If the plastic outlet extender is used to extend the existing circuit, the extended loads will likely be connected to the plastic outlet extender using household extension cords.

These cables are made from 16 or 18 gauge copper wire, which is smaller than the 14 gauge wire used in the original circuitry. If the extension cord is subjected to too much stress, it will begin to overheat dangerously. Again, the fuse or circuit breaker doesn’t see a problem and holds on. The final result? Fire.

If overheating does not occur because only small loads are placed on each extension cord, other hazards may arise due to methods used to secure the cords out of the way or by trying to hide them completely . Extension cords are not approved wiring methods.

REVERSE POLARITY

Because the plastic outlet extender is only a two-wire outlet (i.e. it only has two slots that the blades of the plug fit into), it is easy to reverse polarity. Even if attention was paid to the correct connections to the screw terminals of the socket when installing it as a replacement for the original lamp, many two-wire extension cables still in use today can be plugged in regardless of the polarity. Reversed polarity can cause electric shock or shock to people coming into contact with electrical equipment.

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POOR GROUNDING OR NO GROUNDING

The two-wire socket extension made of plastic does not allow the device to be grounded. Neither does a two-wire extension cord. This means that electrical faults on metal parts of electrical equipment connected through these two-wire cables and equipment cannot be cleared by the fuse or circuit breaker in the electrical panel.

If someone touches the metal parts of the faulty appliance and at the same time touches something else that is grounded, such as the basement or other electrical appliance, appliance, or piece of equipment, his or her body would complete the path for the current to earth. The fuse or circuit breaker would not see this as a short or as an overload. It would actually think that an extra light or other load had just been added to the circuit and it would provide the current needed to keep the new light (you) running. The result would be anything from a mild shock to permanent injury to electrocution.

Do not attempt to make any electrical changes unless you are a qualified electrician. There are ways to add extra lighting and outlets where they’re needed that look neat and are 100 percent safe for everyone in your home. These ways won’t save you money, but they will save you more than money can buy. That means your life and the lives of the people you love.

(Michael S. Rotondo is an electrical design instructor at Lehigh County Vocational-Technical School and a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 375.)

The circuit breaker is likely to trip if a live wire is cut. The sudden short circuit caused by cutting live wires can cause sparks that could cause a fire or damage other electrical components that could in turn cause fires.

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