![]() ![]() Do Other Things on a Circuit Add to the Load? Remember, the circuit is rated for the SMALLEST SIZED cable or wire in the circuit.ĬLICK or TAP HERE to get FREE ANSWERS from local electricians if you have extension cord questions. You may purchase a 12-gauge extension cord thinking that you'll be able to operate a powerful table saw but the breaker will probably trip when you load the saw. This means in the circuit breaker panel you'll see a 15-amp breaker. This is very common if you're trying to operate a large table saw cutting thick wood.ĬAUTION: Most circuits in ordinary houses are wired with 14-gauge solid copper wire. Your circuit breaker may trip because the tool you're trying to power draws too much current. Why Does my Circuit Breaker Trip With the Right Cord? CLICK THE IMAGE NOW to have it delivered to your home. This is a great extension cord for many purposes. To confuse us, some idiot decided that as a wire gets thicker (bigger) the gauge number should get smaller! As a wire gets thicker it can carry more electricity (amps). Remember, wire gauge refers to the thickness of the actual copper wire. Use the following list to select the proper gauge extension cord. Wire gauge is the measure of the diameter of the metal conductors in the extension cord. Of course, you want to determine the maximum distance you think you will be from a permanent electrical outlet. If you must go a distance greater than 100 feet, then upsize the extension cord.Ĭalculate the length of the cord you will need. Yes, the longer the cord is the greater the voltage drop will be. Here are some COMMON amperage ratings of tools around your home: Always check on your tool label for its specific amperage. The average amperage is listed below the tool. Here is a handy list of some common electric power tools. You size an extension cord by first determining the appliance or tool that will be plugged into the cord.ĭetermine the amperage of the tool(s) being used. However, if the breaker is bad you can either burn up the cord or damage tools from voltage drops. If the circuit breaker at the panel is working fine, then you'll pop the breaker if there's a current overload.īut, if you've got a smaller-gauge extension cord, it's possible to overheat the cord and melt the insulation before the circuit breaker would trip! On construction sites, we'd commonly feed multiple saws and drills from one cord. I was guilty of this infraction many years ago before I fully understood all that's involved. You just have to be sure the cord is large enough to handle the loads. Yes, you can have multiple tools operating on one extension cord. Purchase and maintain an assortment of different length cords. In other words, don't use a 100-foot cord for a project that is only 20 feet away. That increased resistance will make your skin feel HOT for sure! Increase the speed of going back and forth and press down harder as you rub. Go slowly at first and you may not feel much. Use your one hand to rub your forearm back and forth. You can do your own simple experiment to demonstrate somewhat how this works. Resistance in the real world often creates friction which in turn almost always creates heat. Knowing this, use only as much extension cord as you really need. Electricity encounters resistance as it travels through electrical wires. Voltage drop is the loss of voltage as it travels down a long wire. Here is how you do that: The formula for the conversion is:īecause we use 120 volts as an electrical standard here in the USA, that means that every 600 watts equal 5 amps (120 x 5 = 600).ĬLICK HERE to get FREE BIDS from electricians in your city or town. If for some odd reason, you see watts listed instead of amps, you can convert watts to amps easily! You may have a circuit breaker panel in your garage that has 15 or 20-amp breakers. The voltage in most circuits in USA homes is 120 volts. This simple formula helps you to understand the sizing of extension cords because you may be required to convert an amp rating on a tool or appliance to watts. In it's simplest form, volts multiplied by amps equals watts. Ohm's law is a physics principle that helps keep you safe with electricity. Usually, you will see an amperage rating. ![]() The green arrow points to the amperage of this professional circular saw. ![]()
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