More Repetitive electrical questions-

[Stoneyinseattle]

Sorry.. I know there are already threads on this. Im just completely stupid when it comes to electricity, i figure better safe then sorry. So heres my question. I know i cant run 6 6oo watt lights on one 20 amp circuit, But im also not trying to toy with any wiring. Is it safe to run heavy duty extention cords from a room thats not on the same circuit. Sorry if this is a dumb question. All help is much apprecited..

 

[NLXSK1]

Yes.

The amperage run through the cord should be 80% of what it is rated for. ER: if the cord is rated for 12 amps you should be able to run 10 amps 12 * .8 = 9.6 through it constantly without trouble.

 

[Stoneyinseattle]

Cool.. I was pretty sure, just want to be super sure when it comes to electricity.. thanks

 

[Cavalry]

If it is over 25 feet long the wattage it can handle is down graded, try to keep them short as possible. Also use outdoor rated.

 

[IrishFarmeR]

If you are using a coiled up extension lead make sure to uncoil all of the cable if you leave it all coiled up you have a huge fire hazard on your hands the coil acts like a giant resistor and creates alot of heat to the point where the cable melts...HPS do tend to trip Fuses the starting current is very high nealry 4 time the rated current this can cause problem tripping soemtimes but depends on your wiring in your house and what type of fuse's/MCB's you have.

 

[Stoneyinseattle]

So if i had to run em 20 feet, 80% loaded it would still be about as effecient? how much less efficient does it become after 25 feet? thanks for the help

 

[Stoneyinseattle]

I had never heard that with the coiling of cords.. Thank you from one irish farmer to another.

 

[Dont Fear The Reefer]

You are 100% correct my friend. I learned this in an rv park. People would leave their cords coiled up and before you know it they would either burn the plug up or the cord.

 

[wyteboi]

If it is over 25 feet long the wattage it can handle is down graded, try to keep them short as possible. Also use outdoor rated.

25 feet is not enough to worry about voltage drop, as long as your using sufficiant wire.

coiled up wont hurt either ...... that only matters when your using very long, dangerous cords.

the main thing is to know whats on each circuit so you dont run into probs.

anything over 100 foot will start causing voltage drop .... which will cause all sorts of probs ....... if you need over 100 foot then just upgrade the wire one notch. (if you need 14g wire , use 12 ect...)






soil

 

[Stoneyinseattle]

Thank you sir..

 

[IrishFarmeR]

25 feet is not enough to worry about voltage drop, as long as your using sufficiant wire.

coiled up wont hurt either ...... that only matters when your using very long, dangerous cords.

the main thing is to know whats on each circuit so you dont run into probs.

anything over 100 foot will start causing voltage drop .... which will cause all sorts of probs ....... if you need over 100 foot then just upgrade the wire one notch. (if you need 14g wire , use 12 ect...)






soil

Well man I am an electrician by trade and a coil acts like a magnetic when you induce a voiltage the magnetic field in the coil then starts to induce a voltage within the coil with any AC (alternating current). This magnetic voltage that is induced opposes the supply voltage creating a resistance within the coil, this reisistance produces heat and (depending on your circuit protection rated tripping time) will cause the cable to over heat and melt this will create a short circuit IF your lucky if not the coil will catch fire..Try it yourself run your lamps and extraction through a 20m coil for about 8hours then feel how hot she is..Coiled up extension leads are a major fire hazard not many people know about.