Robert Ussery wrote:
> While running an extension cord across the ceiling of my basement, I
> decided to wrap it around a natural gas line that runs along the
> ceiling in the precise direction required, so I wouldn't have to put
> any nails or other mounts into the joists. It occurred to me however
> that this could serve as a sort of transformer and induce a voltage
> potential across the pipe. The pipe would act as a secondary coil,
> with the extension cord a multi-turn primary.
>
> Is this true? If so, is it safe? I was also wondering if this would
> in some way ionize the gas and cause strange burning in my gas
> fireplace. :o/
> Any comments? Thanks!
>
> Robert


Hi Robert, not considering the regulation legal issues, but according to
some "fuel saver magnetic solution" sold to be installed in your car (those
guys should be in jail), probably if you have an unbalanced current
neutral/hot, you could have red or blue smoke getting out of your
fireplace, smoke could get out of the chimneys in huge pink or green smoke
blobs, like a mushroom from a small nuclear event :)  Based on some
modulation on the cable current, perhaps you could rediscover and innovate
the old American natives communication system, the new "color smoke
signals".  An advance only matched by color FAX and color TV.

But your idea will NEVER be allowed in Florida. Not because regulations, or
laws, or even your neighbors being afraid of the ghostbuster around your
house due strange smoke colors and forms, it is; In Florida, houses have no
basement (AFAIK).  :)

Other than that, extension (flex) cords, were not allowed (still?) to a fix
installation, since those cords (being flex) does not support high current,
I mean, the wires AWG is high, it would not stand 10A for many hours, being
really warm, deteriorate the low ohmic resistance what would turn things
worse and worse.  Extension wires are in nature designed to work
temporarily, and even getting warm by feeding a leaf blower, it is mostly
used outside and for short period of time, so, a reduced and "calculated"
risk.

A risk, only superseded by the "legal and regulated" naked ground wire
pushed back, coiled in any way, standing dangerously only 2mm from the HOT
wire screws and connections, inside the power outlet box at the wall.

Wagner.

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