You have to ensure that if your tool requires 15 amps, it gets 15 amps. For larger tools that require them, it’s not enough to simply tap into the temp power pole or a nearby outlet. Why Understanding Wire Gauge and Amps MattersĮveryone on a job site or remodel has some experience with running extension cords. It helps you understand what happens when using a 100-foot extension cord on a tool with a high current draw. This might be an unusual application for some, but we felt it represented a great scenario. With that being the case, only one of our recommendations hit that level, the 100-foot 12-gauge extension cord with a full 15A draw. We also allowed for up to a 5% voltage drop-which some people might consider too high. We also utilized the 2014 NEC Chapter 9, Table 9 numbers for impedance and voltage drop calculations. Assumptions for Sizing Extension Cord Lengthįor our extension cord size chart calculations, we assumed 120V single phase with a power factor of 1. See below for some recommendations on extension cords which should match the above requirements. Consider using the next size up for anything that is at or near 5% or-even better-opting for a shorter cord whenever possible. *Yields a 5% voltage drop-the maximum allowed in our calculations. With that in mind, you typically don’t see 100-foot cords exceeding 15-amp (15A) capacity. If you want to run a 100-foot long extension cord, you have to take into account the fact that you’re essentially creating a huge resistor. We broke our charts down by extension cord length since that’s where most people start when looking for the right gauge cord: 100-foot Extension Cords Getting a firm grasp on understanding wire gauge and amps and how they interrelate can protect your tools and keep you safe. However, if you simply want to know what gauge extension cord you need to support a particular amount of amps, or how long an extension cord you can run without losing power, here you go. If you want to know more, like what is AWG or American Wire Gauge, see below. That’s right, we’re giving you the chart right up front without making you read through paragraphs of text. Extension Cord Size Chart – Wire Gauge vs Length
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