HP Laptop Power Cord Safety Recall and Replacement

Oh my, where to start?

Elljay, Do not use anything in the receptacle in your first pix until it is replaced and even then nothing with a heavy current draw.
The visible white wire appears to be colored yellow which means its been subjected to a current draw beyond its capacity rating, and if it is an outdoor receptacle it should have a Weatherproof Box/Cover to protect it from the elements.

In your second pix it's hard to tell what Ben was trying to do.
There are two different size conductor wires; One appears to be 12/2 with ground leading to and from the lamp (which should be replaced), and the other, a round 12/3 with ground, the 3 in 12/3 means that it has one more conductor wire than the 12/2, but there's an open end of 12/2 at the bottom of the loop of 12/3 he made that should be terminated properly, usually in a junction box.
Even with a junction box the sheathing and wires should be striped back, separated, wire nuts applied to each, and electrical tape wrapped around each wire nut to secure them. I can't tell why or how he's using the 12/3.

Some items to keep in mind:

• The new power strip your sister got you, it should have a circuit breaker and surge protection built in, if it doesn't and its not too late, return it for one that does.

• You could get a receptacle tester that can show you if the receptacle is wired properly. Mind though, the cheaper ones won't always indicate the quality of ground.

• Ask your Sister or Ben, when the house addition was built if he added a load center or sub-feeder for the addition, and if he did, did he install a grounding rod for it. A weak or non-existent ground could be the another reason besides the four I already mentioned for the arcing/sparking problem.

Ben needs to make time to go back over all his wiring, surely he has earned enough credits with helping others that he could ask around to have someone with electrical wiring experience come and take a look. How about someone from the docks where he keeps his boat?

Have your sister tell Ben that's where you and her are staying until he sorts this out.

That's great!

Well, here's an update on Ben the handyman. I came up with this silly plan. Maybe it wasn't the best idea.
I mentioned to my sister that she should ask Ben one more time to fix his wiring mess. So she did.
She asked him to fix it or she would post it on Facebook for all the relatives and friends to see. So last week he rushed to fix it.
Here is what he did. He threw up a cover so no one could see the wire mess anymore.
He did fix the broken receptacle, although it looks a little crooked. He also fixed this light fixture above the receptacle. It used to hang off the wall. (I never took a photo of it) He put in one of those motion sensor lights. However, it really isn't needed there because the backyard is lit up like a Christmas tree anyways and... it doesn't work properly. He doesn't know that yet. I sit out there. If the light switch is turned on, every 5 seconds or so it will go off and then come on again. Off and on every few seconds without moving.
So I just turn the light off.
So the funny thing is that Ben doesn't know that neither my sister or I have a Facebook account.
He doesn't have one either but he assumes everyone is on Facebook.
Now I'm thinkin'... should've said call the Fire Chief to do an inspection.

Mornin' Elljay,

Both improvements look better any sparkin' or arcin' at the receptacle?

Some motion lights can be very sensitive to motion and infrared (body heat) and pick up on tree branches, leaves or animals, my neighbor has one like that. Ask Ben if he can lower the sensitivity of the sensor, most new ones have a rheostat for that purpose.

It's good that you didn't call for a fire dept. inspection; In some jurisdictions, if the violations are serious enough they have the authority to condemn the home until repairs are made.

You'd all be livin' on the boat.

I get up early, 'round 5am.

You're a kindly soul, don't be too hard on 'ol Ben, he just needs gentle prodding now an then.

Make sure you're ready for any surprises when you give the receptacle the smoke test, and have Ben check the sensitivity on the motion light, having it cycle every 5" or so is not a good thing.

I'll be around for 'bout a half hour or so, getting ready to run errands