Heavy Duty Extension Cords should always be
used on Home Improvement Projects
By Mark J. Donovan
Aah, the ubiquitous and often
under-rated extension cord. DIY homeowners use them every day on home
improvement projects and never think twice about them. Besides providing “juice”
to their power tools they are otherwise perceived as static devices that provide
little additional value. However, extension cords, and particularly heavy duty
extension cords, play a much bigger role in a home improvement project than most
people realize.
At the 50,000 foot level, a heavy
duty extension cord does indeed provide the “juice” that powers the table saw or
drill, and without these tools a home remodeling project may never be completed.
At the ground level, however, the type of extension cord used on a home
improvement project can also make the difference between getting a job done, and
getting a job finely done. For example, using an excessively long, and low
current rating extension cord, versus a shorter length, higher current rating
extension cord, can make the difference in producing ragged cuts, or clean and
consistent cuts when using a table saw. Simply put, not all extension cords are
created equal.
When working on any home improvement
project heavy duty extension cords should always be used. A heavy duty extension
cord should include three conductor wires that are isolated from each other, and
encased in a heavy-duty, water tight sheathing. One conductor wire is used as
the “hot” wire, another as the “return” wire, and the other as the ground wire.
The conductor wires themselves should be 16, 14, 12, or 10 gauge. For most home
construction projects, heavy duty extension cords with 12 or 10 gauge conductor
wire are used.
In addition, polarized receptacles
and plugs, as well as ground terminals should also be part of any heavy duty
extension cord.
When selecting a heavy duty extension cord there are a few key factors that you
must consider before buying one. First, it is important to know the current
rating of the outlet you plan on plugging the extension cord into. The National
Electrical code specifies that the minimum gauge extension cord that can be
plugged into a 20Amp rated outlet is 16 gauge. Using a smaller gauge extension
cord could result in the extension cord overheating and potentially causing an
electrical fire.
Second, it is important to know the max current rating of the power tools that
will be plugged into it. Using a power tool that draws more current through the
extension cord than what it is rated for could again cause the extension cord to
overheat and cause an electrical fire.
The third factor you need to consider
is the distance between the electrical outlet you plan on plugging the
extension cord into and the work area where the power tool is required.
Voltage drops as a function of extension cord length due to resistance in
the wire.
Photo by Mark Donovan
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The resulting voltage drop at the end of the extension
cord could become significant enough to result in poor tool performance
or even power tool damage. Most electrical power tools used in the
United States are designed to operate off of 120VAC. If the voltage level
presented to the tool is significantly lower than this, due to excessive
extension cord length or insufficient wire gauge, the tool may not operate
properly or become damaged. In general, the longer the heavy duty extension cord
length, the large the wire gauge that should be used in the construction of the
extension cord.
So before you plug in any old extension cord, understand what you are plugging
it into, what tools you plan on connecting to it, and what length of an
extension cord you really need.
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