Extension Cords

Matt1997 · Sep 3, 2019

Safe to use an extension cord with a 300watt heater?

eternalsea · Sep 3, 2019

I would say it would depending on the rating of the cord. If it is a nice commercial or indistrial or work cord perhaps. A cheap Walmart one? Probably unwise?

AZMSGT · Sep 3, 2019

Allot depends on the cord used. Get one rated to handle the amps. A nice 10-3 or 12-3 rated cord will do fine.

redfishbluefish · Sep 3, 2019

I would not use a 16 or 18 gauge extension cord for this...these are the $1.99 cords you find at HD. I'd consider an appliance extension cord. They come in various lengths....3, 6, 9, 12, etc feet...and every one I've seen is grey.

Brad Miller · Sep 3, 2019

A 300 watt heater on 120 volt power supply will only draw 2.5 amps....therefor a regular light household extension cord is fine

redfishbluefish · Sep 3, 2019

Brad Miller said:
A 300 watt heater on 120 volt power supply will only draw 2.5 amps....therefor a regular light household extension cord is fine

@Brad Miller, you are 100 percent correct. The issue I have is that I'm sure he only needs a couple feet of extension cord, and the issue I have is finding a short cord that has the grounding plug. That's the reason I recommend the appliance cords...they are all with the grounding plug and come in various short lengths. Find a 14 or 16 gauge wire cord that is short and with a ground and you're also good to go.

1stNoel · Sep 21, 2019

redfishbluefish said:
@Brad Miller, you are 100 percent correct. The issue I have is that I'm sure he only needs a couple feet of extension cord, and the issue I have is finding a short cord that has the grounding plug. That's the reason I recommend the appliance cords...they are all with the grounding plug and come in various short lengths. Find a 14 or 16 gauge wire cord that is short and with a ground and you're also good to go.

I have a similar question. I'm adding three frag tanks to my 300 gallon tank, which are all in my mancave. I was thinking of increasing the circuit breaker from 15 amps, since my room is already close to being maxed out.

However, I discovered my mancave has 2 breakers dedicated to it; so I want to split the power load between the two breakers by running an extension cord to the other side of the room. Now to my questions:

Can I use an industrial grade power cord to permanently connect/extend my main power strip (American DJ) to the other breaker?
Can I daisy chain multiple American DJ power strips together on a rack? This is how I've run my system for several years now.

flagg37 · Sep 21, 2019

1stNoel said:
I have a similar question. I'm adding three frag tanks to my 300 gallon tank, which are all in my mancave. I was thinking of increasing the circuit breaker from 15 amps, since my room is already close to being maxed out.

However, I discovered my mancave has 2 breakers dedicated to it; so I want to split the power load between the two breakers by running an extension cord to the other side of the room. Now to my questions:

Can I use an industrial grade power cord to permanently connect/extend my main power strip (American DJ) to the other breaker?

Can I daisy chain multiple American DJ power strips together on a rack? This is how I've run my system for several years now.

Are you sure that both circuits are exclusively used for that room? Many times there will be other areas the circuit will run to. I have one in my house that travels from the garage, to the front exterior of the house, to the basement, and then to the back exterior of the house. Just something to keep in mind when thinking about the load on the circuit.

You can run an extension cord to the other side of the room but I would use at least 14 gauge grounded cord. That’s what a 15 amp circuit would have in the wall.

You had mentioned “increasing the circuit breaker from 15 amps”. I hope you’re not thinking of simply popping off the 15 amp one and sticking a 20 amp one in its place. You would also need to change the wiring from the panel to the outlet with 12 gauge wire and swap out the plug for a 20 amp plug too.

User1 · Sep 21, 2019

Short answer is no. Why? Extension cords are not a replacement for fixed wiring. To me it sounds like this is going to be long term.

Can you - sure. If you have a properly sized extension cord but if it was my house, or anyone in it, the answer would be no.

1stNoel · Sep 22, 2019

flagg37 said:
Are you sure that both circuits are exclusively used for that room? Many times there will be other areas the circuit will run to. I have one in my house that travels from the garage, to the front exterior of the house, to the basement, and then to the back exterior of the house. Just something to keep in mind when thinking about the load on the circuit.

You can run an extension cord to the other side of the room but I would use at least 14 gauge grounded cord. That’s what a 15 amp circuit would have in the wall.

You had mentioned “increasing the circuit breaker from 15 amps”. I hope you’re not thinking of simply popping off the 15 amp one and sticking a 20 amp one in its place. You would also need to change the wiring from the panel to the outlet with 12 gauge wire and swap out the plug for a 20 amp plug too.

Thanks for the reply. I remodeled the house to create a large mancave (before I got into the hobby...which is why it's not built for it) from 3 rooms. So that's why there are 2 breakers affecting the room. At most it might also control a closet and hallway light, but I'll check to be sure.

I had watched a Home Depot video and it mentioned nothing about the wiring. When I spoke with the helper at Home Depot, he said exactly what you said (rewiring, etc.). In the end, he said the easiest fix is to split the load...but I forgot to ask the extension cord question.

ccombs · Sep 22, 2019

@Brad Miller is 100% right about the rating. I would just be sure that it is grounded (3 prong) and you take some electrical tape and tape the seam of the connection, as well as any open outlets if it has multiple plugs.

I like making my own extension cords with bulk wire from home depot. I would recommend getting a few feet of 12/3 SJOOW and some nice edison ends.

I like these all black ones from hubbell:

Hubbell Insulgrip Heavy Duty 5-15P Edison - 15A 125V Male Plug - Black Nylon

DetailsFeatures:Black NylonExtra Large Cord ClampOP20 SuitabilityUL and CSA ListedSpecifications:Body Style: StraightStandard: NEMAAmperage: 15AVoltage: 125VPoles and Wires: 2 Pole, 3-Wire GroundingHospital Grade: NoPlug/Connector Grade: InsulgripNEMA No.: 5-15PHorsepower: 0.5Cord Diameter...

www.stagelightingstore.com

Hubbell Insulgrip Heavy Duty 5-15R Edison - 15A 125V Female Connector - Black - Stage Lighting Store

Hubbell Insulgrip plugs and connectors continue our long-standing tradition of leadership as well as innovative design. The tough nylon body...

www.stagelightingstore.com

They are a bit more expensive, but are fantastic connectors.

1stNoel · Sep 22, 2019

saf1 said:
Short answer is no. Why? Extension cords are not a replacement for fixed wiring. To me it sounds like this is going to be long term.

Can you - sure. If you have a properly sized extension cord but if it was my house, or anyone in it, the answer would be no.

Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to try and set-up independent racks so I'm not having to use the extension cord; but I wanted the option should my piping run anywhere close to where the rack would be.

User1 · Sep 22, 2019

1stNoel said:
Thanks for the reply.

I'm going to try and set-up independent racks so I'm not having to use the extension cord; but I wanted the option should my piping run anywhere close to where the rack would be.

Short term is fine, think Christmas lights. Then again you have some good advise here. My response is more towards industrial / OSHA, etc. Prior career was explosive and ground safety so me and extension cords sort of have a love hate relationship :)

Home != industrial or shop which sometimes I forget.