[bcemail]

I've looked up some things online about connecting 2 cords together, but most of what I found was talking about total length of extension cords and loss of power. I'm wiring a switch for my table saw with a 10' cord. Since it's mobile, I will sometimes be further than 10' from an outlet, and would also like a cord to use for my router table. If I have 2 10' cords connected, is this any worse than a 25' cord? Assuming same wire in all the cords. I couldn't find if the physical connection actually reduces power or not.
Thanks!

 

[seharper]

25' of wire vs 20' of wire, the voltage drop will be 25% more. But this may be a trivial amount.

However, connectors (sockets/plugs) are areas of trouble. They're not supposed to have significant voltage drop, but they often do.

You're allowed to fit any length of cord that you please. Why not fit a useful amount, and be done with it? You're certainly better off with fewer connectors.

You can use any voltage drop calc on the Web to see how bad the voltage drop will be for that size of wire given your machine's nameplate amperage, which you will need.

 

[Bud9051]

The more important detail is the wire gauge of the cord/s. For a table saw I would use a 12/3 extension probably 25' long so you would only need the one. If the router and table saw will be close together then pick up one of the heavy duty extensions that has multiple plug in capability on that end, I use 3.

Bud

 

[bcemail]

Thanks for the help. Saw is 15A, and manual recommended 14AWG for up to 25', but maybe 12/3 is better. I'm wiring a paddle switch part way along the cord, since my table I built blocks the saw's switch a little.

Originally got a 10' 14/3 cord to wire the switch in. Then was going to use another 10' cord that I would run from the wall to either the cord wired with the switch for table saw or router table, depending on which I was using. But maybe I'll just get a 25' for the table saw and switch and just run that to the wall. Router only uses 11A anyway, so not as big of a wire needed, I could use the 10' 14/3 cord for that instead.

Also no idea what the actual outlet is wired with (the garage has some...issues...with wiring) but the wire looks thicker and rounder than the romex in other areas, so maybe it's better quality. Can't find any labeling on the wire.

Thanks again!

 

[ront02769]

I am overkill....but all of my power equipment is 20 amp breaker and #12 wire......except for my big table saw.....which is 240volt On separate 20 a breaker and #10 wire.

 

[Missouri Bound]

but maybe 12/3 is better. I'm wiring a paddle switch part way along the cord, since my table I built blocks the saw's switch a little.
!

What I would do:
Fix or rebuild your table to allow use of the saws built in switch. Those switches are positioned where they need to be. Adding an auxiliary switch is fine but not using the saws dedicated switch is just not a good idea.

And always use a 12 ga. cord. It will have better ends and make a more positive connection.....unless you go cheap and buy a sub-par cord.

 

[Old Thomas]

I have various lengths of 12 gauge cords and I use them for whatever needs a cord.

 

[ratherbefishing]

Buy a couple good 12 ga. extension cords and keep them for power tool use. 14 ga. cords are for electric hedge clippers and Christmas lights.

Make sure the plug/socket connection is tight. Check it after running the saw. If anything is warm, it need attention. I have several 25' 14 ga extension cords at work. They are mostly used to run small battery chargers. Running a 1000 watt (<10 Amp) space heater on them gets the cord and socket warm to the touch.

 

[bcemail]

Thanks I'll get some 12g cords for my power hungry tools. Figure I'll spend a little more but they will probably last for years.
The table I made has added infeed so it blocks the power switch a little. Hopefully the paddle switch makes it a little easier and safer.
Thanks!

 

[RAL238]

The power switch needs to be easily accessible and within reach (especially to turn it off!) without you having to move away from the saw, even a little bit. Think about an emergency situation where somehow you get tangled up in the saw and can't move away to a distant switch.

 

[Old Thomas]

Thanks I'll get some 12g cords for my power hungry tools. Figure I'll spend a little more but they will probably last for years.
The table I made has added infeed so it blocks the power switch a little. Hopefully the paddle switch makes it a little easier and safer.
Thanks!

I have some quality cords that are over 30 years old and still in good shape.

 

[dmxtothemax]

whilst at a technical level your obsivation is true,
two leads with a connection in the middle would carry less power
when compared to only one cord and no joins.
How ever the difference in most cases is NOT signicant to worry about.


if your at the stage where two leads causes problems then your using the wrong size cables period.

 

[bcemail]

whilst at a technical level your obsivation is true,
two leads with a connection in the middle would carry less power
when compared to only one cord and no joins.
How ever the difference in most cases is NOT signicant to worry about.


if your at the stage where two leads causes problems then your using the wrong size cables period.

Thanks, that's just what I was trying to figure out. Sounds like it can cause issue, but I'll focus on the size of the wire and length of the cord to keep the juice flowing