[Shop-talk] Extension cord length vs. wire gauge

[Pat Horne]

16 awg wire will give you about a 8% drop in voltage. If you are running a light bulb, it should be fine’ just a bit dimmer. If you are running a motor, there is a higher current draw on startup, which can actually not allow the motor to start. Give it a try & see if it starts. If it doesn’t start quickly, turn it off. 

If you have larger awg wire cords available I’d go that route. 

In job sites I don’t run more than 75’ usually but current loads can be as high as 10 amps. The minimum size I use is 12awg & 10awg on longer runs. 

Peace,
Pat

Pat Horne 
We support Caldwell County Habitat for Humanity


On Oct 30, 2018, at 2:54 PM, Scott Hall <scott.hall.personal at gmail.com> wrote:

Guys,

I need about 300 get of extension cord. 16 AWG was fine at 100 ft. Can I string 3 of those together without a problem, or should I go up a size? Draw is 4 amps.

Thanks, 

Scott
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