On Thu, 28 Nov 2013 00:15:27 -0800, "Paul M. Cook" >
wrote:

>
>"Pearl F. Buck" > wrote in message
...
>> On 11/27/2013 12:48 PM, Paul M. Cook wrote:
>>> "jmcquown" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> Just venting a bit. Ignore at will.
>>>>
>>>> A couple of months ago one of the breakers on the main electrical box
>>>> tripped. I thought I'd reset it but it took several tries before it
>>>> actually "took".
>>>>
>>>> This particular circuit controls (oddly) the overhead lights in the
>>>> master
>>>> bathroom where the tub and toilet are AND all the electrical outlets in
>>>> the garage. Where the freezer is. That last time this happened I
>>>> finally
>>>> got it reset. <whew> In the meantime, I'd moved as much frozen food
>>>> into
>>>> the freezer in the side-by-side fridge as I could fit. I stored some
>>>> things in the neighbor's freezer.
>>>>
>>>> This time, I've moved what I can fit to the fridge/freezer already.
>>>> Because this time, that breaker absolutely will *not* reset. I've tried
>>>> at least 20 times now. I think the breaker switch itself needs to be
>>>> replaced.
>>>>
>>>> I've got a home warranty so I put in a service request. And left a
>>>> message with the electricians they have a contract with. Here we are,
>>>> two
>>>> days before Thanksgiving. Even if I'm not cooking for company I stand
>>>> to
>>>> lose a goodly amount of food. I sure hope they can get someone out here
>>>> tomorrow. I *know* this electrical company isn't going to be working on
>>>> Thanksgiving. Possibly not even the day after. If they can't get to it
>>>> tomorrow I'll be hunting down an electrican who can. I'm not sure I'll
>>>> be
>>>> able to find one.
>>>>
>>>> The good news is, I procrastinated about going to the grocery store
>>>> yesterday. And today it was raining like mad. I'm not fond of
>>>> loading
>>>> a lot of groceries into the car when it's pouring down rain. So at
>>>> least
>>>> I won't lose as much food as I might if I'd already gone to Publix.
>>>>
>>>
>>> Go get a extension cord. Plug the fridge into a working outlet.
>>>
>>> Voila, problem over.
>>
>> You should _never_ use an extension cord on a fridge, never...
>
>Why not? Get a heavy duty extension cord. Not the flimsy ones made for a
>lamp.

A heavy duty extension cord is fine temporarilly but still use one as
short as possible, and make sure it's plugged into a 20A circuit
that's not being shared or the result can be worse.