Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can I
just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
Dave
Sure, and it's usually cheaper to buy a heavy 115 vac cord, cut off the ends
and install new ones, than to buy spool cable.
--
Bill Pounds
http://www.billpounds.com/woodshop
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can
I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
>
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can
> I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
The voltage rating is primarily a factor of the style of plug. Plugs
intended for 120VAC are the standard ones we are used to seeing every day.
Plugs for 230V single phase service are different so you cannot plug them
into the same outlet.
Its entirely possible the cable could be the same stuff.
I can't recall ever seeing a store bought 240VAC extension cord. You
generally just fabricate one up out of some SO cord and the appropriate
ends. SO cord is good for 600VAC IIRC.
#12 would be quite adequate for the load you anticipate.
"Pounds on Wood" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Sure, and it's usually cheaper to buy a heavy 115 vac cord, cut off the
> ends
> and install new ones, than to buy spool cable.
good advice
>
> --
> Bill Pounds
> http://www.billpounds.com/woodshop
>
>
> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
>> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
>> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
>> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max.
>> Can
> I
>> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have
>> to
>> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>>
>> Dave
>>
>>
>
>
"J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Bob Peterson wrote:
>
>>
>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
>>> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
>>> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
>>> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max.
>>> Can I
>>> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have
>>> to buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>>>
>>> Dave
>>>
>>
>> The voltage rating is primarily a factor of the style of plug. Plugs
>> intended for 120VAC are the standard ones we are used to seeing every
>> day.
>> Plugs for 230V single phase service are different so you cannot plug them
>> into the same outlet.
>>
>> Its entirely possible the cable could be the same stuff.
>>
>> I can't recall ever seeing a store bought 240VAC extension cord. You
>> generally just fabricate one up out of some SO cord and the appropriate
>> ends. SO cord is good for 600VAC IIRC.
>>
>> #12 would be quite adequate for the load you anticipate.
>
> FWIW, I picked up a 240VAC extension cord the other day--has 4-wire
> twist-lock connectors on each end.
Just curious where you bought it. I have never even seen a factory made
240VAC extension cord. Is this a molded unit or did someone just make up a
cord and sell it?
>
> --
> --John
> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Seems like some of my cords say 600v on the insulation. At any rate,
I've been transplanting plugs on them for years with good results. I've
got everything from 10ga to 16ga depending on the load. I picked up
some 220 volt hand tools when stationed in Germany many years ago and
all my stationary tools run 220. I don't see the hazard or the
downside. Do it!
bob g.
Dave wrote:
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
>
14 will be fine too. Just put on new ends.
You might want to think about hanging it across the ceiling, so you don't be
walking on it, dropping things on it, or tripping on it.
Wilson
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can
I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
>
Seems like some of my cords say 600v on the insulation. At any rate,
I've been transplanting plugs on them for years with good results. I've
got everything from 10ga to 16ga depending on the load. I picked up
some 220 volt hand tools when stationed in Germany many years ago and
all my stationary tools run 220. I don't see the hazard or the
downside. Do it!
bob g.
Dave wrote:
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
>
On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 18:52:41 GMT, "Dave"
<[email protected]> wrote:
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
>power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
>jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max. Can I
>just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have to
>buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
>Dave
>
wire count.
Bob Peterson wrote:
>
> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
>> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
>> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
>> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max.
>> Can I
>> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have
>> to buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>>
>> Dave
>>
>
> The voltage rating is primarily a factor of the style of plug. Plugs
> intended for 120VAC are the standard ones we are used to seeing every day.
> Plugs for 230V single phase service are different so you cannot plug them
> into the same outlet.
>
> Its entirely possible the cable could be the same stuff.
>
> I can't recall ever seeing a store bought 240VAC extension cord. You
> generally just fabricate one up out of some SO cord and the appropriate
> ends. SO cord is good for 600VAC IIRC.
>
> #12 would be quite adequate for the load you anticipate.
FWIW, I picked up a 240VAC extension cord the other day--has 4-wire
twist-lock connectors on each end.
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
Bob Peterson wrote:
>
> "J. Clarke" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Bob Peterson wrote:
>>
>>>
>>> "Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>> news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
>>>> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and total
>>>> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a shop
>>>> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25 feet max.
>>>> Can I
>>>> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do I have
>>>> to buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>>>>
>>>> Dave
>>>>
>>>
>>> The voltage rating is primarily a factor of the style of plug. Plugs
>>> intended for 120VAC are the standard ones we are used to seeing every
>>> day.
>>> Plugs for 230V single phase service are different so you cannot plug
>>> them into the same outlet.
>>>
>>> Its entirely possible the cable could be the same stuff.
>>>
>>> I can't recall ever seeing a store bought 240VAC extension cord. You
>>> generally just fabricate one up out of some SO cord and the appropriate
>>> ends. SO cord is good for 600VAC IIRC.
>>>
>>> #12 would be quite adequate for the load you anticipate.
>>
>> FWIW, I picked up a 240VAC extension cord the other day--has 4-wire
>> twist-lock connectors on each end.
>
> Just curious where you bought it. I have never even seen a factory made
> 240VAC extension cord. Is this a molded unit or did someone just make up
> a cord and sell it?
Lowes. Manufacture is "Woods", brand is "Yellow Jacket" (a good omen for a
Ramblin Wreck). Can't tell for sure if it's molded--doesn't have a
clamp-type strain relief, there's rubber around the wire where it goes into
the connector, the connectors are Bryant and look like they can be
dissasembled. Haven't taken it apart and don't have any real desire to
unless it goes bust. Whole thing has a UL tag on it though.
>>
>> --
>> --John
>> Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
>> (was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
--
--John
Reply to jclarke at ae tee tee global dot net
(was jclarke at eye bee em dot net)
No difference. Wire is wire.
There are different:
wire types: stranded, solid (not an issue in SO or SJ cord)
thickness and type of insulation
thickness and type of outer shell
thickness (gauge) of wire
#12 gauge is rated for 20 amps. If you make your extension cord
under 100 feet there should be no substantial voltage drop. You
will need to pay attention to the color code in the ends that you
install. 220 service needs no neutral. Line 1(110v), line 2
(110v), ground.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Keep the whole world singing . . . .
DanG (remove the sevens)
[email protected]
"Dave" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:Zv4Yc.245690$J06.20484@pd7tw2no...
> Extension cords are sold and rated for amperage, voltage, and
> total
> power draw. I would like to make a 240 volt extension cord for a
> shop
> jointer, drawing about 10 amps on a 20 amp breaker, about 25
> feet max. Can I
> just use an appropriate gauge 120 volt cord (say 12 gauge) or do
> I have to
> buy dedicated 240 volt cord? What is the difference?
>
> Dave
>
>
On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 18:37:08 -0500, "Bob Peterson"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>
>"Pounds on Wood" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>news:[email protected]...
>> Sure, and it's usually cheaper to buy a heavy 115 vac cord, cut off the
>> ends
>> and install new ones, than to buy spool cable.
>
>good advice
I also do this for shorter 120v extension cords and replacements for
tools that need longer feeds. One good long cord and two connectors
is usually much cheaper than two short good cords. To extend a tool,
by an extension cord of the proper length, cut off the female end, and
replace the existing power cord.
Sometimes, a 4, 6, or 8 foot extension is all you need, especially for
a semi-stationary tool. Good quality shorts are often hard to find in
the first place.
A 6 foot extension cord is perfect between my sanders and plate joiner
and the auto switch that controls the shop vac. I keep the short cord
with the switch, so it's always handy.
Barry