How do I figure out what gauge extension cord I need?

[BlazerGuy]

The closest outlet is 125'-150' away from the work area. I'll be demoing(sp?) a steel framed awning/carport using a Sawzall which I believe uses 11 amps.

I was looking at picking up two of these:
http://www.tractorsupply.com/home-i...ension-cord-12-3-100-ft-oil-resistant-3227596

Those are 100' 12 gauge cords.

 

[dhcomp]

Buy the largest one you can find around that is 100 or 100+ feet. For an 11 amp sawzall, i wouldn't really be too concerned.

 

[ryoken]

x 2...

always buy the biggest "you feel like affording" that day.... but yup, sawzall wont be bothered, we do it in boat yards all the time on some standard orange cords, prolly 14/3 in it....

here's a link I use to crunch numbers if I'm in the mood...


http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

 

[thebird00]

x 2...


http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm

For the voltage drop calculator in the link it says

"Enter 1-way circuit
length in feet (the calculation is for the round trip distance)"

So would a 100 ft cord be entered as 200ft "round trip distance"?

 

[ryoken]

no, the length of the run.... the calc does the doubling iirc...

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Try this: http://www.csgnetwork.com/wiresizecalc.html

By code

We allow a maximum voltage drop of about 3% before the wire specification increases. If you need to calculate actual voltage drop, you might want to consider using our voltage drop calculator for both wire circuits and circuit boards, AC and DC

I personally think that 12/3 would be an adequate extension cord for that distance even though code calls for 10 gauge.

 

[moneypit_K5]

if your going to go out and buy a cord, might as well buy a high quality 10 guage cord. something you can use in the future.