[smitty10101]

I have an OLD Sears grinder that the cord has seen better days.
1/4 HP 115V 4.5 amp split phase motor, 2 prong plug. Length of cord is about 6'

I can't tell by looking at the cord what size (AWG) it is, no markings it's that old.


So for a 1/4 hp continuous duty grinder is 14 AWG stranded wire ok? Or 16AWG?

Suggestions? Just get an extension & cut the female end off? wire it black, white & ground the frame.
or just buy 2 wire lamp cord & wire it up?
or buy a 3 wire (white, black, ground) piece from the HD roll & put male/female ends on it?

thks

 

[seharper]

Detect the wire gauge by stripping a bit of it and measuring against your wire stripper's notches for various sized wire.

But my bet would be that UL approved it with 16 AWG cord.

You want cordage of the same rating and toughness - if you can see any writing on the side of the cord, SJOW, SJOOW etc. I really like pre-molded ends rather than field-applied ends. Lopping the female end off an extension cord is exactly what I do LOL. Target sells an 8' 3-prong extension cord for just $5 that is my go-to. Otherwise I go to McMaster-Carr for cords (1 male 1 loose wire) of any AWG and color you want, as long as it's black.


By the way, there's no Code requirement for maximum cord length. I put long ones on light fixtures to get to the scarce sockets in my shop ceiling. However, I find green or orange cords distasteful because it looks to the inspector like I lopped off a extension cord. (gee, I wonder why it would leave that impression? )

 

[jbfan]

Go to home depot and buy an appliance cord. It will have a plug on one end and have exposed wires on the other end.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-8...ERCH=REC-_-pipsem-_-100672804-_-100661451-_-N

 

[surferdude2]

Consider getting a cord that has a ground wire and grounding type plug. Land the ground to the housing of the motor somehow so it's up to the prsent day NEC for safety. It's a good time to bring it up to date.

Recommended cord

 

[smitty10101]

Detect the wire gauge by stripping a bit of it and measuring )

I was hoping to have the replacement cord in hand before I did any surgery.

 

[smitty10101]

Go to home depot and buy an appliance cord.

That looks like a glorified extension cord minus the female end. Also it's 16 AWG and I was "thinking" that a 14 AWG would be better/safer for possible extended use
Plus I was leaning toward a 3 wire for future safety (Hoping I don't need it)
Thks tho, I didn't know that was an available item.

 

[smitty10101]

Holy Crap!!! I just looked at the cost of a 14 AWG cord in Target!!! $20 + ???
Must have gold conductors and not copper

 

[udraft]

Just buy some braided wire (more expensive, but flexible) and ends, make your own. Some of those old tools can spike substantially when you hit on. So I would think 14.

 

[smitty10101]

Ok I just opened it up.
Looks like 16 AWG
But interestingly enough where the wire enters the housing through a rubber bushing/o-ring there are metal clips (like bent metal into a horseshoe shape). Both going into the housing and inside the housing. No strain relief, guess that's the purpose of the horseshoe things.



Anyway, thanks for all the input. IIRC Lowes has a 14 Gauge 3 wire for around $13-14. Will mosy over there today and cut off an end. Will eyeball the braided wire also.

Again thanks to all.

 

[rjniles]

Holy Crap!!! I just looked at the cost of a 14 AWG cord in Target!!! $20 + ???
Must have gold conductors and not copper

Target would not be my choice for electrical supplies. Look at the one in post #4. 14 ga, 6 foot for $7. All the box stores will have similar.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[smitty10101]

Target would not be my choice for electrical supplies. Look at the one in post #4. 14 ga, 6 foot for $7. All the box stores will have similar.

Thanks
I saw that post but hadn't followed the link. Looks like a better bet.

 

[seharper]

Target would not be my choice for electrical supplies.

Oh, so you're judging my advice solely on my choice of vendor for that item? Like implying that I spend hours wandering the Target aisles looking for THHN? No, that's a price sweetspot I found on that particular item, and that knowledge is my gift to the community. Please, go to HD and pay $8 for the same thing "since it's a better supplier generally".

 

[seharper]

Here's the cord in question.

If someone has a line on an 8' 3-prong 16AWG+ extension cord or line cord cheaper than that, you'll be my new best friend because I buy a lot of em.

OP, 16 AWG or larger is fine. What matters is that the cord fits the strain relief properly. It's all about the strain relief, you HAVE to get that right. Seriously.

 

[rjniles]

Oh, so you're judging my advice solely on my choice of vendor for that item? Like implying that I spend hours wandering the Target aisles looking for THHN? No, that's a price sweetspot I found on that particular item, and that knowledge is my gift to the community. Please, go to HD and pay $8 for the same thing "since it's a better supplier generally".

You need to get a life.

Sent from my Moto E (4) Plus using Tapatalk

 

[oldelectricguy]

"You need to get a life." Um.... Why would you need to say that? We're all here to help and AFAIK, that doesn't.