Extension cord plugs

[Egon]

Recently I have had to replace a few extension cord end plugs. Just after the wire is fastened in place I've taken to filling the plug with silicon and then attaching the two pieces back together in whatever manner is appropriate to the plug being used.

I have also done this when having to replace wires going into the handle of a 50 year old drill.

Is there a downside to doing this??

 

[riptides]

Not unless they don't work or catch fire.

-Mike Z.

 

[RonMar]

Can the plug end separate and expose bare electrical conductors? If not, then it is probably not a problem.

 

[reb]

Don't know about the newer silicone caulks, but in the olden days some contained a weak acid which could corrode the wires. It was recommended to not use them in electronics work where the wires were exposed to the fumes.

 

[SnowRidge]

Don't know about the newer silicone caulks, but in the olden days some contained a weak acid which could corrode the wires. It was recommended to not use them in electronics work where the wires were exposed to the fumes.

Yep, they released acetic acid as they cured. They may still do so.

Why are you filling them with caulk?

 

[hitekcountry]

When you get to be my age everything reminds you of a story or experience from the past.

Many years/decades ago I worked in a systems development group where we took a project from concept through to turnkey product. On one project we needed to build quite a few cables. The "Big Boss" decided that all the connectors on the cables needed to be potted, and he went out and purchased the potting material he wanted us to use. I don't remember at what stage in the testing we discover we had a problem but at first it appeared as though the cables had been wired wrong. Of course when the boss was told the cables were no good he was a bit pi$$ed at the ones that had built the cables. At some point I grabbed a meter and tested the potting material and discovered that it was conductive. We had to build all new cables and the boss didn't say anything.

 

[Egon]

Thanks for the replies.

I was using the silicon to make what I thought may be a more durable plug end.

 

[SnowRidge]

When you get to be my age everything reminds you of a story or experience from the past.

Many years/decades ago I worked in a systems development group where we took a project from concept through to turnkey product. On one project we needed to build quite a few cables. The "Big Boss" decided that all the connectors on the cables needed to be potted, and he went out and purchased the potting material he wanted us to use. I don't remember at what stage in the testing we discover we had a problem but at first it appeared as though the cables had been wired wrong. Of course when the boss was told the cables were no good he was a bit pi$$ed at the ones that had built the cables. At some point I grabbed a meter and tested the potting material and discovered that it was conductive. We had to build all new cables and the boss didn't say anything.

Conductive potting compound. Oh, that is too funny. I'm sure it wasn't at the time, though.