DETAILS, ELECTRICS

Electric update for those following (and my records). Got some great contractor advice at the store, and bought smart.

In the extension cords (correctly rated) that reach from outlets to lamps and clock radio, the joins are all totally away from footstep areas. None are in areas that will get heat accumulation, and I have insulated (rated) staples to tap in that will not compress the cords, etc., or allow them to be moved about.

Where the cord crosses a doorway (no choice) I have a heavy (rated) raceway like you see in offices to sagfeguard cords that run across walkways.... which will also help insulate the drafty bottom of the door, and be screwed into place as a threshold. It used to be in use that way in the main house, for the sailboats room that no longer has working outlets (casualty of fire in 2000; the fixers forgot to rewire that room, LOL, so it's little lamp runs off the outlet one room away.)

At the ext cord joins I have added baby-proofing outlet covers for "open" sections, and then electricians' tape to secure those in place, with tape also holding the plug in the extension cord, for the one thing (i.e. supplied lamp) the ext. cord runs. I put a telltale inside the tape so I will know if anyone tampers with it.

Off one of two open outlets that stay powered-- even when the master wall-switch is flipped turning off all the lights-- will be the oil rad. That rad will be set up on a rated extension cord, so the tenant can roll it to seating areas as needed. (That is the outlet that runs our AC in the summer, and it has never overheated, or had any issues.)

There is a special sooper dooper babylock I can add to keep that rad cord permanently plugged in. That way no one but the landlady can unplug the rad and instead plug in a multi-outlet tap-- like if they want to plug in more stuff WITH the rad that will only pop the circuit-breaker far away in the locked basement.

Across the room, the other always-on outlet will be set up to run the clock radio. If they prefer to leave the laptop plugged in there, charging, there is a battery-operated alarm clock; but the clock radio also plays CDs so the tenant can decide what they want there. That outlet will hold the new outlet-strip with built-in circuit-breaker for blowdryer, shaver, etc..

Oh and I took out the AC myself. Hardi will bring it down tomorrow.


I have one set of cords left to tape up, a mirror to mount with construction adhesive/clips, and curtains (already on curtain rods) to hang on the hardware Hardi installed for me tonight (screw anchors). Cut and install stairway-landing carpet, put one or two last bulky things under a bed, give it all a good cleaning... photograph and I'm DONE-- and back to the main house, just on schedule.

~Susan