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![]() "Jack Goff" wrote in message ... On Sat, 08 Apr 2006 00:54:50 GMT, Dan Krueger wrote: John Wentworth wrote: "Mys Terry" wrote in message ... The distance in this case is a pretty important factor. I don't think a 15 amp "tool" is going to be very happy on a 100 foot 12 gauge cord. You're correct. To have a not greater than 3% voltage drop, a 15 amp load on a 100 foot cable would require #8 wire. See http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htm for a voltage drop calculator. Contractors use 100' 12ga extension cords every day to power large saws, rotary hammer drills, and other big tools powered by their generators. 10ga or bigger would be expensive, hard to find, and not necessary. Dan Exactly correct. The calculator referenced only allows a 3% voltage drop, which is only 3.6V for a nominal 120V ac circuit. Maybe if you're running sensitive medical equipment that's necessary, but not for power tools. A 15 amp circular hand saw is perfectly "happy" running on 105V or so, over a 10% drop. Think of it this way... your home wiring is usually 14ga for normal 15 amp branch circuits. Not unusual to have a 100ft run between the breaker box and the outlets. Some voltage drop is expected, and safety factors are built into everything you buy. Jack 15 amp circuits are 14 gauge, and few run 100' inside a house. More like 50' at most. Contractors use 12 gauge because you can move the cord. And most saws and tools are built to run in a 15 amp circuit, not draw 15 amps. Most are in the 7-8 amp range. |
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