Extension Cord Safety Tip

[dragginmetal]

Originally Posted by Gumby

yep, id hit a hardware, farm or general store , but not like walmart or any place new.

for me id goto Andersons to find wire on a roll like that, been around a while place. on the back wall, big spools of all kinds of wires, cables and chain.

Ok, thanks. We have a few hardware stores close. I'm sure i should be able to find it. I already asked Mrs.Clause for it for x-mas. Just need to go find it now.

[motornut]

some places like home depot it's cheaper to buy off a roll then get the prepackaged stuff
around the trailer a popular trick is to use the white house wire on a roll in a 1/2 inch plastic plumbing pipe,and end it with the "construction type yellow plugs" be doing some that way next year

[Sub-versive]

Originally Posted by ERASER5

Yes and no. The truth is that the overheating is LOAD dependant. If you are running a trouble light, coiling will never be a problem. If you are plugging up an air conditioner, freezer, large battery charger at the same time you will have an issure no matter what. Thinking about what you are doing is the key, making all inclusive rules that rarely apply is not.

Originally Posted by cdowns

biggest thing is the longer the extension cord the heavier gauge wire it should be made of to carry the load without melting// ALOT of people go for the cheap cheap longer ones and have all sorts of problems burnin things up

That is the real problem, overloading 16 ga cable extension cords. A 16AWG extension cord to run a compressor, straight or rolled will fry.
Use 12 AWG extension cords for general use. This will stand up to most standard uses.
Use heavier gauge wired cable for heavier loads.

Originally Posted by Gumby

Well our anal retentive boss[who was a mechanical engineer ] would go on and on about the effects and how were burning up his equipment not laying them out straight.

The degree does not excuse the mental retardation.

[_Ogre]

the sky is falling, the sky is falling; i used my cord coiled up

bulk extension cord is available at any home depot, lowes, electric supply, etc...
the cord ends have specific ends to go on.
one end will have green, white, black.
the other end will be green, black, white.
most people haven't figured this out yet

[68K30]

There is a simple experiment you all could do to prove that this is not an internet myth but I will not share since the experts have already spoken.
Posted via Mobile Device

[dragginmetal]

Originally Posted by 68K30

There is a simple experiment you all could do to prove that this is not an internet myth but I will not share since the experts have already spoken.
Posted via Mobile Device

I'm interested in this experiment. If you don't want to post it up, can you shoot me a PM?

[PanelDeland]

I've solved most of this problem.I don't buy anything but #12 awg cords.I don't buy any cords over 50 ft.I don't coil them in a bucket just free and open.I don't overload them.I have several 12-25 ft cords but only a couple of longer ones and they are higher quality(for the most part).I'm lucky to have outlets at the outside doors of my house.#12 will carry plenty of juice for most of my plug in tools and I use the cordless for nearly everything.Being aware of what is going on when working with this stuff helps a lot.