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It depends on the gauge of the wire, the length and the total current draw of the appliances. You said "heavy duty outdoor extension cord" so I'll assume 12 gauge wire. You can run a MAXIMUM of 20 amps for a MAXIMUM of 100 Ft on that wire. If the current draw goes up, so should the wire size. If the distance goes up, so should the wire size. 10 Ga wire - 30 amps for 100 Ft.

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17y ago
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12y ago

A standard manufactured length for an extension cord is 100 feet of #12 wire. On construction sites extension cords are longer but the wire in that cord is upsized. The extension cords on construction sites can be up to #10 or #8. It all has to do with voltage drop and the amount of current the device needs that is plugged into the cord. For extension cords around the home one 100 foot cord is about the maximum you would want to go. If you plug another cord into the first one the device that you want to use may not operate due to low voltage.

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Q: How long can you run an electric extension cord?
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How do you use an extension cord to temporarily run the filter?

It is never as good idea to run an extension cord to a high drain appliance like an electric motor. However if you must for a temporary situation.. use a good 10 or 12 gauge heavy cord and not more than like 25 feet.. DO NOT use a cheap 16 Ga cord from walmart... your pump and the cord will get VERY hot and that can be dangerous for both you and the pump


Why should you not plug a surge protector into an extension cord?

As long as you don't over load the wall socket you can have a mile's worth of extension cord. <<>> You can not have a miles worth of cord as the voltage drop would be so high on a #14 wire that there would not be enough voltage to run the computer. Make sure that the extension cord has a ground wire in it so that the ground wire is continuous from the receptacle to the surge protector to the computer.


Why is it important to know about electric currents?

If you use stuff powered by electricity, you are very likely to eventually have to understand a bit about it. It'll tell you what can be plugged into a regular outlet w/o blowing a fuse. What can be run off a certain extension cord. How long you can run something off the battery in the R/V Before the battery goes flat. Things like that.


Can using to many extension cord reduce the pressure on the pool pump?

Yes its called voltage drop. The longer the extention cord the lower the volatage gets.. causing the motor to run at the wrong rpms causing a pressure drop.. long term will burn up the pump.


Can you plug a refrigerator into a surge protector?

If you mean that the (heavy duty) extension cord has a wire size of #14 or #12 wire in it and that the length is not over 50 feet then you will have no trouble running a refrigerator. Keep in mind that you only use extension cords as a temporary measure and that they are not to be used as replacements for permanent wiring.

Related questions

How do you use an extension cord to temporarily run the filter?

It is never as good idea to run an extension cord to a high drain appliance like an electric motor. However if you must for a temporary situation.. use a good 10 or 12 gauge heavy cord and not more than like 25 feet.. DO NOT use a cheap 16 Ga cord from walmart... your pump and the cord will get VERY hot and that can be dangerous for both you and the pump


Why did Atticus Need the extension cord in to kill a mockingbird?

Atticus needed the extension cord to provide light to read in the evenings since the electricity in his house was limited. This allowed him to continue reading and working on his cases at night.


Does implantable defibrillator use ac or dc current?

DC, unless you run an extension cord.


Why should you not plug a surge protector into an extension cord?

As long as you don't over load the wall socket you can have a mile's worth of extension cord. <<>> You can not have a miles worth of cord as the voltage drop would be so high on a #14 wire that there would not be enough voltage to run the computer. Make sure that the extension cord has a ground wire in it so that the ground wire is continuous from the receptacle to the surge protector to the computer.


Why is it important to know about electric currents?

If you use stuff powered by electricity, you are very likely to eventually have to understand a bit about it. It'll tell you what can be plugged into a regular outlet w/o blowing a fuse. What can be run off a certain extension cord. How long you can run something off the battery in the R/V Before the battery goes flat. Things like that.


Could your singer sewing machine run more slowly if you are using an extension cord with it?

No it will not run more slowly. The power runs through it just as fast as you would normally. Same with all machines and all brands. I also have a singer sewing machine and i use a extension cord and it works normally.


Can you use an extension cord for a window air conditioner?

Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.


Can you use an extension cord with a window air conditioner unit?

Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.


Can using to many extension cord reduce the pressure on the pool pump?

Yes its called voltage drop. The longer the extention cord the lower the volatage gets.. causing the motor to run at the wrong rpms causing a pressure drop.. long term will burn up the pump.


Can you plug a refrigerator into a surge protector?

If you mean that the (heavy duty) extension cord has a wire size of #14 or #12 wire in it and that the length is not over 50 feet then you will have no trouble running a refrigerator. Keep in mind that you only use extension cords as a temporary measure and that they are not to be used as replacements for permanent wiring.


Is there an extension for unemployment in Texas now?

if you are on unemployment now and it will run out by the end of feb 09" can you have an extension on it. and if so how long


How many appliances can you run from an extension cable at once?

The total load applied to an extension cord is governed by the wire size of the cord. As the extension cord is usually plugged into a wall receptacle. The breaker protecting the receptacle is rated at 15 amps. The total wattage is limited to 15 x 120 volts = 1800 watts. Check the nameplate on the appliances to see what the wattage draw totals. This will give you the answer, any amount that adds up to the total of 1800 watts.