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Electric Cord Questions Jethro 08-20-2007
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Posted by Jethro on August 20, 2007, 1:52 pm
Help me out here.

I want to buy extension wiring to use on my new generator.
I found a 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD
which is said to have a rating = Rating: 15 amps, 125 volts, 1875
watts,

I then found a different 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION
CORD which is said to be heavy duty 20 amp capacity.

The difference is that the second one is said to have NEMA
configuration: 5-20P (plug), 5-20R (receptacle).

I do see the difference in the prongs, but I am wondering how two sets
of cords, identically 50ft, 12 gauge, can carry different loads. Would
just the prongs provide that?

Then I find a 100 FT. 12 GAUGE OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD that is said to
handle 125 volt, 15 amps, 1875 watts. My understanding from my past
was that longer cords of same gauge would handle less of a load, and
in fact often get hot when subjected to heavy loads. So, how can a
cord twice as long with the same gauge handle the same load?

I ask these questions because I want to buy the right cords.

BTW all this comes from http://www.harborfreight.com

Thanks

Jethro

Posted by Toller on August 20, 2007, 2:05 pm

> Help me out here.
>
> I want to buy extension wiring to use on my new generator.
> I found a 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD
> which is said to have a rating = Rating: 15 amps, 125 volts, 1875
> watts,
>
> I then found a different 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION
> CORD which is said to be heavy duty 20 amp capacity.
>
> The difference is that the second one is said to have NEMA
> configuration: 5-20P (plug), 5-20R (receptacle).
>
> I do see the difference in the prongs, but I am wondering how two sets
> of cords, identically 50ft, 12 gauge, can carry different loads. Would
> just the prongs provide that?
>
> Then I find a 100 FT. 12 GAUGE OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD that is said to
> handle 125 volt, 15 amps, 1875 watts. My understanding from my past
> was that longer cords of same gauge would handle less of a load, and
> in fact often get hot when subjected to heavy loads. So, how can a
> cord twice as long with the same gauge handle the same load?
>
> I ask these questions because I want to buy the right cords.
>
> BTW all this comes from http://www.harborfreight.com
>
Could be one of two things:
1) Pure bull, they are all the same and it is just a matter of what they
happen to print. HF makes some pretty silly claims.
2) The quality of the insulation. Some can take higher heats than others
and can safely handle larger loads.

From a reputable supplier, I would say it is #2. From HF probably #1.
That said, I have a #12 extension cord from HF; have chopped it up and used
the pieces successfully for several different purposes.



Posted by dpb on August 20, 2007, 2:52 pm
Toller wrote:
...
>> I want to buy extension wiring to use on my new generator.
>> I found a 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD
>> which is said to have a rating = Rating: 15 amps, 125 volts, 1875
>> watts,
>>
>> I then found a different 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION
>> CORD which is said to be heavy duty 20 amp capacity.
>>
>> The difference is that the second one is said to have NEMA
>> configuration: 5-20P (plug), 5-20R (receptacle).
>>
>> I do see the difference in the prongs, but I am wondering how two sets
>> of cords, identically 50ft, 12 gauge, can carry different loads. Would
>> just the prongs provide that?
...

Certainly -- one is specifically rated as a 20A receptacle, the other
isn't...that a 15A-rated plugset might actually be able to carry 20A
doesn't change what it is UL rated for, and therefore, what any piece of
wire it is connected to will be rated for as a collective item. Just as
a chain is only as strong as it's weakest link, the combination of the
wiring and the plugset is only rated to the minimum component...

--

Posted by DerbyDad03 on August 20, 2007, 3:56 pm
>
>
>
>
> > Help me out here.
>
> > I want to buy extension wiring to use on my new generator.
> > I found a 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD
> > which is said to have a rating = Rating: 15 amps, 125 volts, 1875
> > watts,
>
> > I then found a different 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION
> > CORD which is said to be heavy duty 20 amp capacity.
>
> > The difference is that the second one is said to have NEMA
> > configuration: 5-20P (plug), 5-20R (receptacle).
>
> > I do see the difference in the prongs, but I am wondering how two sets
> > of cords, identically 50ft, 12 gauge, can carry different loads. Would
> > just the prongs provide that?
>
> > Then I find a 100 FT. 12 GAUGE OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD that is said to
> > handle 125 volt, 15 amps, 1875 watts. My understanding from my past
> > was that longer cords of same gauge would handle less of a load, and
> > in fact often get hot when subjected to heavy loads. So, how can a
> > cord twice as long with the same gauge handle the same load?
>
> > I ask these questions because I want to buy the right cords.
>
> > BTW all this comes fromhttp://www.harborfreight.com
>
> Could be one of two things:
> 1) Pure bull, they are all the same and it is just a matter of what they
> happen to print. HF makes some pretty silly claims.
> 2) The quality of the insulation. Some can take higher heats than others
> and can safely handle larger loads.
>
> From a reputable supplier, I would say it is #2. From HF probably #1.
- That said, I have a #12 extension cord from HF; have chopped it up
and used
- the pieces successfully for several different purposes.- Hide quoted
text -

OT story...

My teenage son was once hired by a rich friend of a rich friend to
help clean out his garage. One of the things the guy was throwing out
was a 50' #12 extension cord, on a reel, because one of the
conductors had been cut about 10' from the end. My son was smart
enough to grab it from the pile when I came to pick him up.

For the cost of a replacement plug and socket, I ended up with a 10'
#12 extension cord, a 40' #12 extension cord and a son who now knows
how to repair both ends of a #12 extension cord.




Posted by on August 20, 2007, 11:12 pm

>Help me out here.
>
>I want to buy extension wiring to use on my new generator.
>I found a 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD
>which is said to have a rating = Rating: 15 amps, 125 volts, 1875
>watts,
>
>I then found a different 50 FT. 12 GAUGE HEAVY DUTY OUTDOOR EXTENSION
>CORD which is said to be heavy duty 20 amp capacity.
>
>The difference is that the second one is said to have NEMA
>configuration: 5-20P (plug), 5-20R (receptacle).
>
>I do see the difference in the prongs, but I am wondering how two sets
>of cords, identically 50ft, 12 gauge, can carry different loads. Would
>just the prongs provide that?
>
>Then I find a 100 FT. 12 GAUGE OUTDOOR EXTENSION CORD that is said to
>handle 125 volt, 15 amps, 1875 watts. My understanding from my past
>was that longer cords of same gauge would handle less of a load, and
>in fact often get hot when subjected to heavy loads. So, how can a
>cord twice as long with the same gauge handle the same load?
>
>I ask these questions because I want to buy the right cords.
>
>BTW all this comes from http://www.harborfreight.com
>
>Thanks
>
>Jethro

The one with the NEMA 5-20 is for a dedicated 20a load that would have
the 5-20 plug on it. The 5-15 plug is a general purpose cord that will
work in 99% of the receptacles in the US. You can have a 5-15 on a 20a
circuit here. The 12ga also helps you with voltage drop, even if you
are only using 15a out there 100'.

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