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Posted by chenopod on May 9, 2008, 9:41 am
I have a few questions that involve simple electrical wire theory, but the
situation gets a little bit complicated.
I am trying to run an extension cord (or cords) into the woods to power a
stage, with fairly powerful musical equipment, lights, PA, etc.
I'm assuming the power outlets that will be available are standard
grounded 120 Volt, hopefully on the heavy duty side. The equipment I'm
looking to power totals several thousand watts (rated at, lets say, 3000
W). However, the power draw is not consistent... it fluctuates with how
hard the equipment is being pushed from moment to moment.
The distance is more than 1000 feet (probably more like 2000 ft). If I
were to buy a single cord that is suitable for this job, I'm guessing the
outlet itself would be the limiting factor in terms of resistance and
heat, and I don't want to start any fires. I'm not even sure if a wire
that is a large enough gauge would even come with the standard outlet
plug.
At this power draw and distance, even several 120-V outlets might not do
the job, if the wire that runs from the power lines to the outlet box (or
any internal wiring) is not a heavy enough gauge. For this type of job,
do I need to look into other methods of getting enough power from the pole
besides running several extension cords?
Does anyone have any specific advice on how to tackle this problem? (i.e.
what type of gauge wire, how many extension cords, how to correctly tap
the power lines, etc.)
Your help is most appreciated.
-Dave
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Posted by Smitty Two on May 9, 2008, 6:32 pm
snyper333_at_hotmail_dot_com@foo.com (chenopod) wrote:
> I have a few questions that involve simple electrical wire theory, but the
> situation gets a little bit complicated.
>
> I am trying to run an extension cord (or cords) into the woods to power a
> stage, with fairly powerful musical equipment, lights, PA, etc.
>
> I'm assuming the power outlets that will be available are standard
> grounded 120 Volt, hopefully on the heavy duty side. The equipment I'm
> looking to power totals several thousand watts (rated at, lets say, 3000
> W). However, the power draw is not consistent... it fluctuates with how
> hard the equipment is being pushed from moment to moment.
>
> The distance is more than 1000 feet (probably more like 2000 ft). If I
> were to buy a single cord that is suitable for this job, I'm guessing the
> outlet itself would be the limiting factor in terms of resistance and
> heat, and I don't want to start any fires. I'm not even sure if a wire
> that is a large enough gauge would even come with the standard outlet
> plug.
>
> At this power draw and distance, even several 120-V outlets might not do
> the job, if the wire that runs from the power lines to the outlet box (or
> any internal wiring) is not a heavy enough gauge. For this type of job,
> do I need to look into other methods of getting enough power from the pole
> besides running several extension cords?
>
> Does anyone have any specific advice on how to tackle this problem? (i.e.
> what type of gauge wire, how many extension cords, how to correctly tap
> the power lines, etc.)
>
> Your help is most appreciated.
>
> -Dave
>
3000 watts is only two typical 15 amp (@ 120VAC) circuits. You could
run 240V out there and split it on site. That will reduce your
transmission losses and wire gauge requirements substantially. Here's a
calculator:
http://www.securitypower.com/WireLossCalculator.html
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Posted by John Grabowski on May 9, 2008, 7:01 pm
>I have a few questions that involve simple electrical wire theory, but the
> situation gets a little bit complicated.
>
> I am trying to run an extension cord (or cords) into the woods to power a
> stage, with fairly powerful musical equipment, lights, PA, etc.
>
> I'm assuming the power outlets that will be available are standard
> grounded 120 Volt, hopefully on the heavy duty side. The equipment I'm
> looking to power totals several thousand watts (rated at, lets say, 3000
> W). However, the power draw is not consistent... it fluctuates with how
> hard the equipment is being pushed from moment to moment.
>
> The distance is more than 1000 feet (probably more like 2000 ft). If I
> were to buy a single cord that is suitable for this job, I'm guessing the
> outlet itself would be the limiting factor in terms of resistance and
> heat, and I don't want to start any fires. I'm not even sure if a wire
> that is a large enough gauge would even come with the standard outlet
> plug.
>
> At this power draw and distance, even several 120-V outlets might not do
> the job, if the wire that runs from the power lines to the outlet box (or
> any internal wiring) is not a heavy enough gauge. For this type of job,
> do I need to look into other methods of getting enough power from the pole
> besides running several extension cords?
>
> Does anyone have any specific advice on how to tackle this problem? (i.e.
> what type of gauge wire, how many extension cords, how to correctly tap
> the power lines, etc.)
>
> Your help is most appreciated.
>
> -Dave
Is there any reason why you cannot rent or buy a generator? A two thousand
foot extension cord is not very practical for such a small load. You can
get heavier gauge SO cord or single conductors but the wire will be quite
expensive and heavy and you will need connectors every few hundred feet.
If you are concerned about noise from a generator, contact companies that
rent motion picture equipment. Their generators are practically noiseless.
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Posted by Oren on May 9, 2008, 8:03 pm
On 09 May 2008 13:41:15 GMT, snyper333_at_hotmail_dot_com@foo.com
(chenopod) wrote:
>I have a few questions that involve simple electrical wire theory, but the
>situation gets a little bit complicated.
>
>I am trying to run an extension cord (or cords) into the woods to power a
>stage, with fairly powerful musical equipment, lights, PA, etc.
>
>I'm assuming the power outlets that will be available are standard
>grounded 120 Volt, hopefully on the heavy duty side. The equipment I'm
>looking to power totals several thousand watts (rated at, lets say, 3000
>W). However, the power draw is not consistent... it fluctuates with how
>hard the equipment is being pushed from moment to moment.
>
>The distance is more than 1000 feet (probably more like 2000 ft). If I
>were to buy a single cord that is suitable for this job, I'm guessing the
>outlet itself would be the limiting factor in terms of resistance and
>heat, and I don't want to start any fires. I'm not even sure if a wire
>that is a large enough gauge would even come with the standard outlet
>plug.
>
>At this power draw and distance, even several 120-V outlets might not do
>the job, if the wire that runs from the power lines to the outlet box (or
>any internal wiring) is not a heavy enough gauge. For this type of job,
>do I need to look into other methods of getting enough power from the pole
>besides running several extension cords?
>
>Does anyone have any specific advice on how to tackle this problem? (i.e.
>what type of gauge wire, how many extension cords, how to correctly tap
>the power lines, etc.)
>
>Your help is most appreciated.
Rent-A-Generator
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Posted by Ralph Mowery on May 9, 2008, 8:14 pm
>I have a few questions that involve simple electrical wire theory, but the
> situation gets a little bit complicated.
>
> I am trying to run an extension cord (or cords) into the woods to power a
> stage, with fairly powerful musical equipment, lights, PA, etc.
>
> I'm assuming the power outlets that will be available are standard
> grounded 120 Volt, hopefully on the heavy duty side. The equipment I'm
> looking to power totals several thousand watts (rated at, lets say, 3000
> W). However, the power draw is not consistent... it fluctuates with how
> hard the equipment is being pushed from moment to moment.
>
> The distance is more than 1000 feet (probably more like 2000 ft). If I
> were to buy a single cord that is suitable for this job, I'm guessing the
> outlet itself would be the limiting factor in terms of resistance and
> heat, and I don't want to start any fires. I'm not even sure if a wire
> that is a large enough gauge would even come with the standard outlet
> plug.
>
> At this power draw and distance, even several 120-V outlets might not do
> the job, if the wire that runs from the power lines to the outlet box (or
> any internal wiring) is not a heavy enough gauge. For this type of job,
> do I need to look into other methods of getting enough power from the pole
> besides running several extension cords?
>
> Does anyone have any specific advice on how to tackle this problem? (i.e.
> what type of gauge wire, how many extension cords, how to correctly tap
> the power lines, etc.)
>
> Your help is most appreciated.
>
> -Dave
You should look at another way to supply the power. It would take 2 or 3
extension cords made out of # 6 or # 8 copper wire. This is not something
off the local electrical store. You would have to find seperate circuits to
plug into. Most home 120v outlets are only good for 15 or 20 amps. It
would take about 10 amps per 1200 watts.
A big part of the problem is the voltage drop of the wires. Too small wire
and there will not be enough voltage to power the load.
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