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<td><a href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/index.jsf?function=view&lessonId=852">Proper Power Cord Configuration and Routing Necessary to Prevent Hazards - Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC </a></td>
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Statement of Lessons Learned</h2>
<pre>For a copy of the original report, see “Attachments” on Lessons Learned page.
Due to a freezer’s electrical power cord being bent too sharply, cycles of overheating were initiated resulting in damage to the cord. The conductor strands eventually severed and the flow of electricity stopped. The plug melted and the outlet and wall scorched. Too-sharp bends are possible with any cord at any location, and this Lessons Learned provides recommended actions for preventing such conditions.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Discussion of Activities</h2>
<pre>Recently, a high-temperature alarm sounded on a commercial freezer in an LLNL biological sciences research lab. When the freezer was pulled away from the wall, the outlet cover and wall were found to be scorched; the cord’s insulation was damaged near the plug; and the cord emitted sparks from the damaged area when moved. Electricians were immediately notified. They replaced the outlet and cord and were able to restore power to the freezer. </pre>
<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Analysis</h2>
<pre>The orientation of the outlet was ground-pin-down (Figure 1). The freezer’s cord had a low-profile (i.e., flat or 90-degree) plug with the ground pin at the top (Figure 2). Placing this ground-pin-up plug into this ground-pin-down outlet resulted in the cord bending over on itself resulting in too sharp a bend being put on the electrical cord.
If an adequate bend radius had been maintained in the cord, it is likely that this event would not have occurred. The sharp bend created a strain on the cord which eventually severed the strands and the current to the appliance was finally interrupted. By then, the plug was melted and the outlet and wall was scorched.
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">Recommended Actions</h2>
<pre>Below are the consequences of the above event. They are provided for information and discussion purposes only.
When connecting a device to a power source, refer to the owner’s manual verify that:
-The cord is in good condition (e.g., insulation is intact, no kinks or sharp bends, pins are straight).
-There is slack in the cord after it is connected.
-The cord is not in contact with anything that may damage it.
-There is nothing resting on the cord (exception: items designed to protect power cords).
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<h2 style="white-space:nowrap">JLab Preventive Measures</h2>
<pre>If your appliance is equipped with a low profile plug, put a work order in to re-orientate the wall outlet to coordinate with the outlet ground-pin-up/down orientation to ensure the cord does not bend over on itself; or use a strain relief product listed by a Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory.</pre>
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<h2>Comments</h2>
<h5 style="white-space:nowrap">10/13/2014 4:10:34 PM by Bailey, Mary Jo</h5>
<pre>Submitted to those current in •SAF603A: ELECTRICAL SAFETY AWARENESS</pre>
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<legend>Summary</legend>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Lesson ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">852</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Status:</td>
<td class="dataval">OK</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Doc ID:</td>
<td class="dataval">2014-JLAB-852</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Priority:</td>
<td class="dataval">Info</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Safety Related:</td>
<td class="dataval">YES</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Originator:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Issued:</td>
<td class="dataval">10/13/2014 4:07:07 PM</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Approved By:</td>
<td class="dataval">Bailey, Mary Jo</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Approved On:</td>
<td class="dataval">10/13/2014 4:10:34 PM</td>
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<td class="label">Source:</td>
<td class="dataval">
DOECRD
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<td class="label" nowrap>Location:</td>
<td class="dataval">LANL</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Cost Savings:</td>
<td class="dataval"></td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Contact:</td>
<td class="dataval">Jeff Horning, 925-424-5393, horning1@llnl.gov</td>
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<tr class="row">
<td class="label" nowrap>Queued Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Sent Emails:</td>
<td class="dataval">0</td>
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<td class="label" nowrap>Viewings:</td>
<td class="dataval">3 times</td>
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<legend>Attachments</legend>
<a name="attachments"></a>
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<li><a target="_blank" href="https://misportal.jlab.org/ll/downloadAttachment?attachmentId=3400">M:\wcd\LessonsLearned\Electrical\DOE - Yellow - PowerCord.pdf</a></li>
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<legend>Hazard Issues</legend>
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<li>Electricity</li>
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<legend>Skills</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>SAF603A: ELECTRICAL SAFETY AWARENESS</li>
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<legend>Distribution/Notification</legend>
<ul class="lesson_attribute_listing">
<li>*Division Safety Officers (DSOs)</li>
<li>*Safety Wardens</li>
<li>*DOE Notification</li>
<li>*ESH&Q Liaisons</li>
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