What gauge extension cord?

[hockey88fan]

I'm in the process of having our detached garage wired up with a 100amp service. The lights are up (six 8 foot t5's) and the receptacles are in. I have yet to trench the feed cable from or house to the detached garage, that will be in a few weeks. So in the mean time the electrician put a little cord and male plug coming off the bottom of the panel so I could plug an extension cord into it to feed the panel box to run the lights and receptacles for the time being.

Last night I had the extension cord running from the house to the garage for the first time, it is about a 40' run, just to see how the lights look at night (let me tell you those t5'z are bright!). I had them on for about 15 min and when I go to unplug the extension cord the plugs are so hot I could barely touch them, the wire was hot too but not as hot as the plugs. I'm guessing I used too small a gauge e tension cord.
I'm wondering if someone could chime in on the recommend gauge for this application and load, thanks.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Depends on the load (current draw).

Anything over 15-20' and I would want at least a 14 gauge.

 

[eljefino]

If you used an old cord there could have been corrosion in the socket section. Even a 16 gauge light duty cord should have a reasonably strong/ well rated connection in its outlet.

To answer your question, a 12 gauge should do you rather nicely. I like the "yellow jacket" brand; quality insulation and flexible wire strands make it good in the cold.

 

[Highbeam]

The plugs always get hot first when you overload the cord. Even when you fully load the cord, the connections are the first thing to feel warm. Just the way it is.

Too hot to touch tells me that you need a heavier gauge cord and those can get expensive fast.

 

[FluxCore]

Start with the recepticals.......If you want to see why industrial/hospital grade outlets cost so much, next time you are in Lowe's or HomeDepot dig one out of the bin and stab a male plug in it....Then do same with one of their super cheap outlets....Feel the difference in the effort it takes to plug and unplug each.......I cannot by myself unplug my welders from my 50 amp Nema 6-50 extension cords, and that's good....That's why each 25 footer cost me a hundred bucks each

The circuit, any circuit, is only as good as it's weakest link....be it cord or connection.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I used my shop for a year without electricity. I had a 12 gauge 100 ft cord running from an outlet on the back porch of the house to the shop (never did cut it with the mower). It worked ok for powering a trouble light or a couple of quartz work lights on a stand, and even ran my 1 hp Craftsman air compressor OK, though I know it was too much for the cord, it was so intermittent as to not be a problem.

If it will be a while before you get the power connected, do yourself a favor and buy a good (or even cheap) 12 gauge extension, 100 ft would do, you will use it many times over the years ahead.

Charles

 

[theoldwizard1]

If it will be a while before you get the power connected, do yourself a favor and buy a good (or even cheap) 12 gauge extension, 100 ft would do, you will use it many times over the years ahead.

+1 !

Shop around. The last couple I bought on eBay. Make certain they are SOOW or SJOOW cord if the seller does not list it.

 

[matt151617]

This cord is a great deal. $30 for 50ft 12 gauge with free shipping.

 

[hockey88fan]

This cord is a great deal. $30 for 50ft 12 gauge with free shipping.

Great thanks, I'm buying one

 

[nehog]

This cord is a great deal. $30 for 50ft 12 gauge with free shipping.

Also flea markets and yard sales. I found a 100 ft 12/3 extension cord at a yard sale last week: needed a new receptacle end (had one in my spares box) and I was set.



Total investment, $2. (Yes, when I saw the price, I grabbed as fast as I could!)

 

[hockey88fan]

Also flea markets and yard sales. I found a 100 ft 12/3 extension cord at a yard sale last week: needed a new receptacle end (had one in my spares box) and I was set.



Total investment, $2. (Yes, when I saw the price, I grabbed as fast as I could!)

Wow, nice find!

 

[NUTTSGT]

Buy yourself a good 12 gauge 50' extension cord and use it with care. It never hurts to have a good quality extension cord around.


One you get the feed run to the garage permanently, be sure to remove that little cord.