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Home > Archive > Electrical Engineering > August 2007 > outdoor socket/outlet?
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outdoor socket/outlet?
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| hey,
i needs some electricity outside my house for a wireless security camera.
does anyone make an electrical outlet/socket which would screw into where a
lightbulb would normally go?
i don't know if i'm explaining this in an understandable manner... i have an
outdoor porch light that has a pretty big vented glass globe which is under
an overhang.
it would be perfect if i could just take out the bulb and screw in a device
that would allow me to plug the camera into where the bulb used to be (boy,
do i sound stupid here or what?).
anyway, i did a search for "screw-in outlet" and "screw-in socket" and came
up with nothing useful. does anyone make such a device and if so, what is it
called? are they safe?
thanks,
sammy
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| In article <46c7a946$0$15376$4c368faf@roadrunner.com>, sammy@toast
says...
> hey,
>
> i needs some electricity outside my house for a wireless security camera.
> does anyone make an electrical outlet/socket which would screw into where a
> lightbulb would normally go?
>
> i don't know if i'm explaining this in an understandable manner... i have an
> outdoor porch light that has a pretty big vented glass globe which is under
> an overhang.
> it would be perfect if i could just take out the bulb and screw in a device
> that would allow me to plug the camera into where the bulb used to be (boy,
> do i sound stupid here or what?).
>
> anyway, i did a search for "screw-in outlet" and "screw-in socket" and came
> up with nothing useful. does anyone make such a device and if so, what is it
> called? are they safe?
Sure, they exist. Though by necessity they are only two-pronged, so
aren't "safe" for outside applications (or in, for that matter).
--
Keith
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| "sammy" <sammy@toast> wrote in message
news:46c7a946$0$15376$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
> hey,
>
> i needs some electricity outside my house for a wireless security camera.
> does anyone make an electrical outlet/socket which would screw into where
> a lightbulb would normally go?
>
> i don't know if i'm explaining this in an understandable manner... i have
> an outdoor porch light that has a pretty big vented glass globe which is
> under an overhang.
> it would be perfect if i could just take out the bulb and screw in a
> device that would allow me to plug the camera into where the bulb used to
> be (boy, do i sound stupid here or what?).
>
> anyway, i did a search for "screw-in outlet" and "screw-in socket" and
> came up with nothing useful. does anyone make such a device and if so,
> what is it called? are they safe?
You'll have better luck just going to the good sized home improvement store
and checking out the lighting and/or electrical section. You'll find them.
You can also find little gizmos that have an outlet on the side, and further
up still have a light socket.
As far as safety, it depends. As far as proper code-compliant
expert-electrician-opinions go, it's certainly not safe. There's no ground,
no possibility for a GFCI to operate, likelihood of a wall-wart type
transformer falling out and hitting somebody if the socket is facing down,
and no protection against moisture. Oh, and you won't have a light, so
somebody could trip and break something important.
In the real world, it should be just fine, as long as it's reasonably
protected from moisture and weather, it's properly secured so nothing falls
out, and everything is kept away from small, curious hands. Of course, if
the transformer has a polarized plug (one prong bigger than the other), you
are probably out of luck. I've yet to see an adapter that had a polarized
socket. Doesn't mean they don't exist, and (licensed electricians please
look away) you can always file down the bigger prong with ill effects
extremely unlikely for this setup.
Check out these sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domest...ugs_and_sockets
http://dansdata.blogsome.com/2006/1...-should-not-be/
Still, you might want to consider getting a good electrician to install an
outlet somewhere around that area, and keep your porch light as a porch
light. An honest electrician won't charge much, and you'll have a handy
outlet for Christmas lights or whatever.
CS
| |
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| In article <13cfj6qr7cbp091@corp.supernews.com>, idontwork@fcc.gov
says...
> "sammy" <sammy@toast> wrote in message
> news:46c7a946$0$15376$4c368faf@roadrunner.com...
>
> You'll have better luck just going to the good sized home improvement store
> and checking out the lighting and/or electrical section. You'll find them.
>
> You can also find little gizmos that have an outlet on the side, and further
> up still have a light socket.
>
> As far as safety, it depends. As far as proper code-compliant
> expert-electrician-opinions go, it's certainly not safe. There's no ground,
> no possibility for a GFCI to operate, likelihood of a wall-wart type
> transformer falling out and hitting somebody if the socket is facing down,
> and no protection against moisture. Oh, and you won't have a light, so
> somebody could trip and break something important.
A GFCI would operate but they're not usually found on lighting
circuits. You *could* still have a light (if the whole mess still
fits) if you get one of the ones with another socket on the end.
Otherwise I agree, it's a pretty crude setup.
> In the real world, it should be just fine, as long as it's reasonably
> protected from moisture and weather, it's properly secured so nothing falls
> out, and everything is kept away from small, curious hands. Of course, if
> the transformer has a polarized plug (one prong bigger than the other), you
> are probably out of luck. I've yet to see an adapter that had a polarized
> socket. Doesn't mean they don't exist, and (licensed electricians please
> look away) you can always file down the bigger prong with ill effects
> extremely unlikely for this setup.
>
> Check out these sites:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domest...ugs_and_sockets
>
> http://dansdata.blogsome.com/2006/1...-should-not-be/
>
> Still, you might want to consider getting a good electrician to install an
> outlet somewhere around that area, and keep your porch light as a porch
> light. An honest electrician won't charge much, and you'll have a handy
> outlet for Christmas lights or whatever.
>
Depends on your idea of "not much" and the chances of finding an
"honest electrician". ;-)
--
Keith
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"krw" <krw@att.bizzzz> wrote in message
news:MPG.21320a00e1cfe08098a90b@news.individual.net...
> In article <13cfj6qr7cbp091@corp.supernews.com>, idontwork@fcc.gov
> says...
>
> A GFCI would operate but they're not usually found on lighting
> circuits. You *could* still have a light (if the whole mess still
> fits) if you get one of the ones with another socket on the end.
> Otherwise I agree, it's a pretty crude setup.
>
> Depends on your idea of "not much" and the chances of finding an
> "honest electrician". ;-)
I've had four 'electricians' who worked on my house in the past 5 years.
First one only had one, simple job to do. It was a rush job to remove
wiring for an electric stove that looked like it was installed by a blind
monkey. I was too chicken out to mess with it. He did the job, and I can't
say he overcharged. Large corporate company.
Two others were hopefully not the licensed, experienced type. The 'work'
they did was likely, at best, to start a fire. Scary stuff. These jobs
were part of other work, such as remodeling bathrooms and kitchen, and
installing new wiring and equipment for the pool.
The last, and only electrician who will ever work on the wiring in my house
again, is both honest and highly competent. He does charge a tad more than
others, but since this means my house doesn't burn down or folks don't die
horribly from electrocution, I consider this a bargain.
I learned the hard way to make sure contractors actually work in the field
I'm hiring them for. In hindsight, having the same guy hang drywall, lay
tile, and fuss around with 70 year old wiring was probably not the brightest
decision I've ever made.
CS
| |
|
| In article <13cgtnji5peqt55@corp.supernews.com>, idontwork@fcc.gov
says...
>
> "krw" <krw@att.bizzzz> wrote in message
> news:MPG.21320a00e1cfe08098a90b@news.individual.net...
>
> I've had four 'electricians' who worked on my house in the past 5 years.
>
> First one only had one, simple job to do. It was a rush job to remove
> wiring for an electric stove that looked like it was installed by a blind
> monkey. I was too chicken out to mess with it. He did the job, and I can't
> say he overcharged. Large corporate company.
>
> Two others were hopefully not the licensed, experienced type. The 'work'
> they did was likely, at best, to start a fire. Scary stuff. These jobs
> were part of other work, such as remodeling bathrooms and kitchen, and
> installing new wiring and equipment for the pool.
The reason I do such work myself. If the walls are down electrical
work is easy. If they're not an electrician is going to cost enough
that they should be.
> The last, and only electrician who will ever work on the wiring in my house
> again, is both honest and highly competent. He does charge a tad more than
> others, but since this means my house doesn't burn down or folks don't die
> horribly from electrocution, I consider this a bargain.
Why don't you DIY?
> I learned the hard way to make sure contractors actually work in the field
> I'm hiring them for. In hindsight, having the same guy hang drywall, lay
> tile, and fuss around with 70 year old wiring was probably not the brightest
> decision I've ever made.
I have the same guy do all that too. Me.
--
Keith
| |
|
| "krw" <krw@att.bizzzz> wrote in message
news:MPG.21327bb5d7f1c03998a91e@news.individual.net...
> In article <13cgtnji5peqt55@corp.supernews.com>, idontwork@fcc.gov
> says...
>
> The reason I do such work myself. If the walls are down electrical
> work is easy. If they're not an electrician is going to cost enough
> that they should be.
>
>
> Why don't you DIY?
I'll do it myself if:
I know what the hell I'm doing, and;
I don't have to crawl under the house or inside the attic.
I rewired my pool equipment, garage, and a few other odds and ends.
However, if something funky is going on, such as when the metal frame of the
porch light somehow got connected to the hot line even though it was wired
properly, I call in the expert. With the porch light, it was another light
on the circuit that was miswired. Not sure what all happened, but once the
faulty light was unplugged, the problem was solved. Such is life in a 70
year old house.
I love doing my own work on the house, but I know my limits.
>
> I have the same guy do all that too. Me.
I suck at hanging drywall, tile, and a few other tasks I'd rather not devote
much time to learning, so if it's one of those, or if it requires expensive
tools, it just makes sense to hire somebody to do it.
CS
| |
|
| In article <13ci5qbc6nd0ea7@corp.supernews.com>, idontwork@fcc.gov
says...
> "krw" <krw@att.bizzzz> wrote in message
> news:MPG.21327bb5d7f1c03998a91e@news.individual.net...
<snip>
[color=darkred]
>
> I'll do it myself if:
>
> I know what the hell I'm doing, and;
If I don't know what I'm doing, I will before I'm done. ;-)
> I don't have to crawl under the house or inside the attic.
Ok, you got me there. I have an unfinished basement in my current
house and the there is no access to the attic.
> I rewired my pool equipment, garage, and a few other odds and ends.
> However, if something funky is going on, such as when the metal frame of the
> porch light somehow got connected to the hot line even though it was wired
> properly, I call in the expert. With the porch light, it was another light
> on the circuit that was miswired. Not sure what all happened, but once the
> faulty light was unplugged, the problem was solved. Such is life in a 70
> year old house.
I hear you, but I'd still try hard to find it myself, long before an
electrician would/could show up.
> I love doing my own work on the house, but I know my limits.
Limits? ;-) I don't do roofing; too much like work and it involves
climbing on the roof. ;-) Other than that I've done just about
everything and what I didn't I should have.
>
> I suck at hanging drywall,
Hanging it is easy. Taping is a little harder. I suck at taping. It
takes forever to get it right. It's not easy to find someone to do
small jobs though.
> tile, and a few other tasks I'd rather not devote
> much time to learning, so if it's one of those, or if it requires expensive
> tools, it just makes sense to hire somebody to do it.
Tile is hard work, but not particularly difficult, particularly
floors (gravity is on your side ;). Any specialized tools are paid
by my labor on the first job. I've done three bathrooms, a laundry
(including walls), and two closets in my current house and a tub
surround for a friend. The wet saw was paid for on the first job.
The other tools are incidental and used for other projects.
OTOH, I was a salaried employee so my time outside work wasn't worth
anything. I retired last year, so my time was worth even less. I
recently unretired to do contract/consulting so my time is much more
valuable these days. I wouldn't do any major projects at home given
what I'm being paid to work (nothing to do with the fact I'm working
600+ miles from home;).
--
Keith
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