[darsunt]

I recently purchased a 1/3 hp drain cleaning machine, and the manual says it needs a 16 gauge heavy duty extension cord. But at the hardware store all the 16 gauge extension cords are labled 'light duty' and only the 14 gauge extension cords are labled 'heavy duty'.

So should I just get a 14 gauge extension cord, or keep looking for a 'heavy duty' 16 gauge extension cord? I want to stick with exactly what the manual wants. Also could there be problems with a 14 gauge cord, could it 'overdraw' on power and pop a circuit breaker?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I'd buy the 14g cord myself
You can't overdraw power
The motor will only pull as much as it is rated for

 

[300zx]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Heavy-Duty-16-G...trkparms=65:12|66:2|39:1|72:1205|293:1|294:50 IF you do a google search you an find all kinds http://www.toolprice.com/product/6792F/Extension_Cord__Power_Extension_Cord__163_Extension_Cord.html http://www.midwayautosupply.com/p-6...nsion-cord163-gauge-50-foot-length-00563.aspx http://www.rapidsupplies.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=22329

 

[vsheetz]

The gauge provides the current handling capability - a physically larger gauge than specificed is ok, and a good thing especially in longer extension cords.

The "duty" typically speaks to the ruggedness of the extension cord in relation to abrasion and cutting, connector robustness, etc.

I like the Bosch XC series extension cords - rugged, stay flexable at low temperatures, and have a light in the end to make it easy to know you have power on the cord.

 

[Yoyizit]

a 1/3 hp drain cleaning machine
it needs a 16 gauge heavy duty extension cord.
. . .of some maximum length

Just curious: what is the rated amp draw and what is the max. length #16 cord you're allowed?

What seems to be constant with the cord-size/length tables is a ~5% voltage [email protected] current, but that doesn't always work.
That link to the 100' 16 ga. 10A gives a 7% voltage drop at [email protected] if it's copper, worse if it's aluminum.

 

[Gigs]

Heh, did it also say that you should go hunt snipes? 14 or even 12 is fine. The bigger the wire the longer cord you can use.

 

[jbfan]

Heh, did it also say that you should go hunt snipes? 14 or even 12 is fine. The bigger the wire the longer cord you can use.

Ah the good ole days of snipe hunting!!!:thumbup:

 

[gregzoll]

Farm Supply stores have the heavier gauge cords.

 

[Bigplanz]

I got a 100 foot 12 gauge cord at Harbor Frieght for 38 bucks last year. It's heavy, but I use it to run lighter gauge cords when I am a long way from an outlet. Go with 14. It's a good compromise: not so heavy and plenty of capacity for high amp tools.

 

[spark plug]

Owner's manual causing confusion

I recently purchased a 1/3 hp drain cleaning machine, and the manual says it needs a 16 gauge heavy duty extension cord. But at the hardware store all the 16 gauge extension cords are labled 'light duty' and only the 14 gauge extension cords are labled 'heavy duty'.

So should I just get a 14 gauge extension cord, or keep looking for a 'heavy duty' 16 gauge extension cord? I want to stick with exactly what the manual wants. Also could there be problems with a 14 gauge cord, could it 'overdraw' on power and pop a circuit breaker?

The term "16 gauge Heavy Duty" is self contradictory. #16 AWG. wire can not be applied for heavy duty use. You don't have to be concerned when using #14 wire. Maybe you're not aware (as are many people not familiar with Electrical terms and standards) that AWG, which stands for American Wire Gauge, works somehow in reverse. (There's a logical explanation for that, too). The higher the #, the thinner the wire. The largest sizes of wire (past Zero) are measured in Number of Zeroes, or in MCM. (Which stands for Milli Circular Mills). (No matter what) :yes::no::drinkon't Drink and Drive!!!

 

[InPhase277]

or in MCM. (Which stands for Milli Circular Mills). (No matter what) :yes::no::drinkon't Drink and Drive!!!

The first "M" in MCM is actually the Roman numeral for 1000. That's why it has been replaced by kcmil (kilo-circular mil). Who the hell uses Roman numerals? (except at the end of movies!)

 

[spark plug]

Defining Electrical terms.

The first "M" in MCM is actually the Roman numeral for 1000. That's why it has been replaced by kcmil (kilo-circular mil). Who the hell uses Roman numerals? (except at the end of movies!)

Thanx. When I went to school they were still using Horse and Buggies to get around. Just kidding! (No matter what) :laughing::no::drinkon't Drink and Drive!!!

 

[J. V.]

I got a 100 foot 12 gauge cord at Harbor Frieght for 38 bucks last year. It's heavy, but I use it to run lighter gauge cords when I am a long way from an outlet. Go with 14. It's a good compromise: not so heavy and plenty of capacity for high amp tools.

I hear you on how heavy a 100' #12 ext cord can be. My wife was at Lowes and called me about a sale. I told her to get the 100' #12 for $40.00. I never ever remembered using a cord this heavy. But for the price it was a good deal. Got to get some sun on it so I can roll it up properly.

 

[theatretch85]

Haha, try lugging around a 100' 6/3 extension cord! Now that is heavy! I think I have probably 5 100' 6/3, a 75' 6/3 and a 50' 6/3. I use them with portable sub panels; they rarely get used but I had a wedding I ran sound and lights for once and used almost everything I had. I am wiring up some outlets near my service panel to make use of them at my house for when I need that extra temporary power.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Yeah I bought (2) #12 100' cords when they were marked down to $38

I used them in my Christmas display plus a couple hundred moire cords
Also used them as Temp power to my shed to keep the pool running while I ran a new sub

 

[theatretch85]

I got my 100' 6/3 cables for about $10-15 each. Buddy's computer store went out of buisness and he used these to power the subpanels I have for LAN parties. I know he paid a lot more for the cable when he bought them, something like 5 or 6 dollars per foot.

 

[InPhase277]

Hmmm... I can hardly think of more of a waste of coal and oil burned in a power plant than 25-30 kW of Christmas lights:laughing:

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I used 500 kwh in Dec -08
Dec -06 was more like 2000 kwh's
I then switched to LED's & CFL bulbs

 

[Yoyizit]

But less kw =
http://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en-us&q=define:+grinch&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8
at some point.

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I haven't downsized at all
The green lighted "tree" used to be C-9's & used close to 3000 watts
Now its LED's & uses 84 watts :thumbsup:
I'm known as the Christmas house on my street
Even our sub shop calls us the Christmas house for deliveries :laughing:
BIG Christmas display & Halloween
I also decorate for July 4th, Easter, Memorial & Labor Day
Valentines day at some point

That's a 12x18' flag