ksantos704
Active Member
i just wanted to know how safe is it to plug a power strip into an 50ft extention cord please help me
electricity question
- Thread starter ksantos704
- Start date
pokesalotasmot
Well-Known Member
What do you plan on plugging into the power strip, and what guage wire is the extension cord?
TeaTreeOil
Well-Known Member
I've done it. It was a heavy duty 20 amp cord, though.
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
I'd never use more than 20 foot extension for ANYTHING. You're just asking for some overheating and burning cords if you plan on running a heavy inductive load on more than that.
Of course, you could get a few construction-grade extensions, those will do the job fine for a longer run.
Of course, you could get a few construction-grade extensions, those will do the job fine for a longer run.
THE DOJA MAN
New Member
not a problem. just dont over power your outlet. if you plug in two power bricks it will mostlikly short or not allow full power. outlet contains 120volts of alternating current plenty enough to burn down the house...lol be careful
TeaTreeOil
Well-Known Member
You can run around 1200 watts on a 13 amp(120V/60Hz) extension cord(the cheap $1 ones).
THE DOJA MAN
New Member
agreed this is the best way to go
pokesalotasmot
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't. That rating is probably a PEAK maximum the cord can handle. I wouldn't run that much power continuously through a "cheap" cord. You get what you pay for.
Like someone else said, if you NEED to run that distance run a heavy duty construction grade extension cord. The more length the cord has, the more resistance in it, and you want as little resistance as possible. Resistance will generate heat, and heavy duty cords can handle the heat safely.
pokesalotasmot
Well-Known Member
Another important thing to consider is the power strip itself. DO NOT buy and use a cheap "power tap" power strip. If you look on the packaging or the strip itself, many times you will find in very small print that the power strip is not intended for more than 3 or 4 hours continuous use. Make sure you get a GOOD power strip. You get what you pay for!!
TeaTreeOil
Well-Known Member
That's 77% of theoretical peak.
pokesalotasmot
Well-Known Member
I'm not trying to be a dick or anything....but...are you going to gamble your house burning down on that number? I wouldn't. Play it safe.
TeaTreeOil
Well-Known Member
I don't see any gamble in it. 
Nice sig.
Nice sig.
Syriuslydelyrius
Well-Known Member
Go buy 50ft of 12guage electrical wire and put a plug on one end and an outlet on the other. Or replace the cord on your powerstrip with the 12/12 wire and put a plug on the other end. A long cheap extention cord is nothing more than a fire hazzard. The 12/12 wire your house is probally wired with is rated for 20 amps or 2,400 watts. If you want an even better choice buy the 12/12 wire thats for burring underground outside.
Syriuslydelyrius
Well-Known Member
Technically this is correct..
Here is the math. Watts = amps x volts
So 13amps X 120volts = 1560watts.
and 77% of 1560 is indeed 1201.2.
However take a look at at the warnings on aircompressers or A/C units and most do all contain warnings not to use extention cords on them. I could pretty much garentee that even with a 800w load on that extention cord for an 18 or even 12 hour cycle it will atleast be getting warm and this is a hazzard you do not want. I would also think that a cheap arse cord made by the thousands in a forign land may not actually be rated for what the package says it is. Some arnt even UL listed..
Calijuana
Well-Known Member
Yep. The heavy duty construction cord is what I use and you can feel the difference in quality.. those cords are THICK
Calijuana
Well-Known Member
TeaTreeOil
Well-Known Member
Considering only 77% takes into account a lot of resistance. At least a hundred feet.
As long as he's not linking a bunch of cheap cords together there shouldn't be a problem. I've ran several computers off an orange 50' heavy duty extension cord(about as thick as my pinky, pretty rigid) and a surge protector/power strip on the end of it, and another power strip off that one! Probably over 800 watts, easily at peak usage. No problems whatsoever.
KaliKitsune
Well-Known Member
computers aren't a heavy inductive load, though. Not like a light or a motor. I did the same thing back in Memphis, had an extension cord run up to the unfinished attic where I could do music production in peace. Hooked up a 900 watt window AC unit to a 50 foot extension cord, UL-listed and rated for 1500 watts.
In less than two hours the cord burned itself out and took out the entire circuit on that breaker
Syriuslydelyrius
Well-Known Member
This is the question that needs answered.
Sure if that 50ft cord is a big heavy duty 12guage or better then its pretty much as good as the wire inside your walls and I wouldnt see an issue. If its a cheap $2 cord thats thinner guage and your plugging in multiple HID lamp, and grow equiptment then you could have big trouble.