Cord/plug connection in the attic

[Jonathan Cartwright]

Today's attic had a duplex outlet with a cord plugged into it. The reason for the cord is unknown - house is bank owned and I had no one to ask about it. No attic fans or other odd fixtures. Nothing electric in the house found not functioning.

My question is - Is this installation OK? Does this cord and plug system violate typical codes?

Thanks and have a great day.

[Michael Thomas]

1) If it's connected to the box at left, not allowed (as permanent wiring).

2) If it's not, and it's diving down into the insulation:

2a) What is it passing through to get wherever it's going (probably, something it's not allowed to).
2b) Where is it going (likely, somewhere it shouldn't).
2c) What is it connected to (likely, something that shouldn't be).

[James Duffin]

It depends on what it is powering if it is OK or not. For example I've seen lots of tv signal boosters plugged into receptacles in attic's and crawl spaces that was perfectly legal. I would just report what I saw and let someone else figure it out.

[Jim Port]

Without seeing any equipment on the end of the cord, I say it looks like it is going into the splice box. If that is the case MT covered it when he said flex cord cannot be used as a replacement for permanent wiring.

[Jonathan Cartwright]

The cord does go into the junction box at the left of the outlet.

Thank you for the information.

[Roger Hankey]

You said bank owned, so probably vacant. I suggest disconnection to see what is not powered when cord is unplugged. In any case, I agree that cord and plug wiring is not standard in this location and would recommend correction by a qualified electrician.