Strain relief for electrical cord on old appliance?

There are commercially available strain reliefs which can be found on the Internet, depending on the cord size, the cut-out hole size, and the shape of the cut-out. See, as a single example:

The approach you are using with tubing may work perfectly well. Another approach is to use some RTV / silicone caulk to fill the void, essentially building your own custom gasket. This would be particularly useful if the cut-out hole is a "D" shape or some other irregular cut-out.

The early plugs were designed to be used with an "Underwriter's Knot" for strain relief.

Here is a link to a picture:

/paul W3FIS

I've seen reproduction electrical items from a company that copies old fixtures for interior decorating and the cost of the reproduction cloth covered cords is outrageous. Of course, I would expect the new reproduction wire to be superior to the old cloth and rubber but DANG!

TDD

Smarty posted a link to something that was probably the original type strain relief. The part snaps into a squared off hole that usually rounded at the top and bottom. The flat lamp cord lays in it and the retainer pushes the cable down into the housing which then snaps into the hole. It's easily done with slip joint pliers. You may find the strain reliefs in the parts drawers in the electrical aisle at Home Depot or in plastic bags hanging with other small electrical parts there.

TDD

When I did a search, the results were all way too big, like these:

Yes, that's very handy to know. In this case, the strain is not inside where it connects, it's right at the opening. The cord gets bent back and forth and over time the wires inside break, causing a short. I long ago replaced the bare wires wrapped around the screws with crimp terminals, so that's working great. Also, there isn't room inside there for a knot, but this is a nice trick that I'll file away somewhere for future use.

I also didn't say anything about the case wearing through the insulation. Methinks thou hast spent too much time reading your Book of Moron and not enough reading posts carefully.

Automotive stores offer a wide range of rubber plugs and grommets that may be useful. When I need one I tend to be more interested in finding a plug that will fit because I can always make a hole in it. Use these with the Underwriter's knot

Jimmie

That picture is bothering me. Put more of the dang wire under the screws!!!!!!!!!!!

There is a thing called 'black electrical tape'. Wrap the cord so that it fits tight in the hole. A knot in the inside will also provide strain relief. Or buy a plastic cord clamp that fits the hole.

A strain relief is also suppose to reduce the amount of travel the cord bends at any point. Some "strain reliefs" do NOT do this.

I often use multiple heat shrinking on cords. Using a piece of tubing is also good. I use a Tywrap to secure, and often use hot melt glue to stabilize.

greg

Electrical tape is a good idea if I can't find a grommet that will fit. Thanks.

PW>> What I use is a coiled spring slide over cord and then twisted into the opening. The spring is the compression type. This allows the cord to bend in a larger radius sort of like the cords on a clothes iron. WW

If you're good with hot melt glue, you can make strain relief for plugs with that. As always, clean the parts and make sure they get very hot.

That's beyond my skill level. ;-)

Then the rubber tubing sounds like the better solution. Your original post / question did not make any reference to "barely larger", which is why I originally offered the possibility of a commercial strain relief or RTV.

So rather than tell people this idea won't fit or that idea won't work because you don't know how to work with that kind of material -- why not post some pictures of the appliance in question...

At least one showing the cord where it exits the outside of the case and if you wanted SUPER advice, probably one of the inside of that point of the machine as well so that people can actually give you specific gizmos you could use to solve your problem...

~~ Evan

Yeah, I know. I never know how much information to include. I suppose I could have uploaded a photo and saved 1,000 words. ;-)

I just heard from Heyco that the strain relief bushings shipped today. We'll see.