How big an extension cord?

[Nappers]

Re: How big an extension cord?

A nice tip too to test if your cord is too small, if you touch it and it is physically warm... it's too small.

That's a great tip and I forgot to mention.

After a long day of using my rotary and G100 on a smaller cord, it was warm to the touch, which is why I use a 12ga extension cord now.

Thanks Mark!

[Eddie6th]

Re: How big an extension cord?

I've studied this to some degree. There is an actuall measurement for the length and diameter of cable. It's called RO...It includes temperature ratings aswell...

It's part of physics aswell.It's quite complicated and not easy to work out.If you like I can dig out the formula for you?

I just use a good quality extension and make sure it is opened out fully.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: How big an extension cord?

A nice tip too to test if your cord is too small, if you touch it and it is physically warm... it's too small.

[Zuke]

Re: How big an extension cord?

Thats what im talking about! Prevenative maintenance! Good looking out Nappers

[Nappers]

I'm no electrician or electronics expert, however I've seen a few threads of electric tools failing, and a few G110's.

Not sure why, but my dad who has been an electrician for 45+ years and uses some of the same electric tools to this day from that era, swears that using too small of an extension cord may ruin an electric tool. After seeing a member tear his G110 apart and how the brushes wore unevenly, that could be a sign...not sure though.

Meguiar's has put a extension cord section in the directions of my G100 and I scanned the instructions and cropped out the graph showing how big of an extension cord to use, depending on how long, amperage it draws etc.

It does make sense though, you don't see any little tiny wires for big amps and speakers for car stereo's, same principal, more amperage and longer cords should = larger gauge wire. My extension cord is 200' (I think) and I use a 12AWG cord which is made for outdoor use. Don't use those little extension cords with the multi plugs on the ends! Those are firefighters favorite cords!

Anyways.....I personally wouldn't go smaller than a 12ga wire for your cords. They aren't much more expensive and you save all your power tools, not just your buffers, your drills, saw zaws, skil saws etc etc.

Here ya go. The graph shows for 230V as well for our over seas friends


L8R

Aaron