I do not have electrical outlets in the floor of my home, as some newer structures do. I have a lamp on an end table that is several feet from the wall outlet. I wanted to make the cord as neat as possible, so I used two extension cords, ran them under my sisal rug, under and behind the sofa, and plugged the lamp in on the opposite wall. The end table has a shelf, so the connector plug is hidden. The concept was good, but the outline of the cord is beginning to show through the rug. I have a thin pad in place, and the cords are under that as well. It still shows as a raised ridge under the rug.
I know it may be a safety issue, but I use the lamp only when I am home. My question is, is there a type of extension cord that is thin and meant for use under rugs? Would an electrical supply place or an electrician have cords other than those I can buy at Home Depot or Lowe’s?
The foundation of my home is concrete. It may be too much of an issue to install a plug in the floor to accomodate a lamp that is not near a wall.
Any ideas?
{ 6 comments }
No there isn’t. The wire has to be a specific diameter to carry the electrical current, and amperes. If it was to be a thin wire, it would heat up to dangerous levels. The thin wire would create electrical resistance – the same way a toaster works.
I had the same situation years back in an older home with few outlets. I bought some “Hide-A-Wire”, I don’t know if this is the correct name for it but it is very similar to that grey foam tubing we use for insulating water pipes with. It is self sticking (peel the paper off) and you run this along the top or bottom of your floor base moulding. Mine was off-white in color. I bought mine at “Staples” but I am sure by now that building supply centers handle them. You can also use this for running up the wall to clocks with a cord, etc.
Determine the current which will be flowing through this wire. Wire diameters vary with respect to the proposed current flowing through. Doing so reduces the risk of damage to the wire and at worst, electrocution or fire.
Treading over electrical wiring is not recommended either, anyway, I doubt you could safely utilise wire thin enough in diameter to go under your rug unnoticed.
If all else fails, buy a thicker rug or a battery operated lamp.
Even though you use the lamp only when home – unless you unplug the extension cord at the outlet, each time you are finished with the lamp, it is always energized under the rug. This is a hazard should the cord short – possibly starting a fire.
no, They make speaker wire that goes under rugs, carries lots of current too, but has no insulation. If speaker wire gets a hole in it you speakers may sound bad. If house current wire gets a hole in it you may burn your house down.
I would be concerned about your existing extension wire under the rug. If it gets walked on or furniture moved over it and gets damaged you will not notice it till you smell your rug burning.
Up to now alekat is the only one that has said something sensible. There are no flexible cords suitable specially for running under rugs and carpets as it shouldnt be done It is a definte fire hazard ad the thinner the flex coverig he greater the hard as the less resistant it becomes to mechanical damage (walking over it etc).
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