The Do's and Don'ts of Power Extension Cords

[@garrettc8490]

I'm a hands on landlord and I appreciate your training on extension cords. I'm 65 yrs. old and the info. you gave on the correct way to add extension to equipment cords was a learning experience. Thanks!

[@ImperialDade]

Thank you so much for watching our content and finding value! We are glad to help out!

[@kylegroth3199]

I also had no idea about that, very good to know. Thanks for making this great video

[@horacesawyer2487]

Very good sir. Basic skills many of us lack. I forgot about the effects of poor electricity flow. Time to BUCK UP !

[@notavailable7379]

That is by far the thickest 16 gauge AND the thickest 14 gauge cord ive ever seen in my life. Looks more like 12 and 10 to me.

[@Saikocity]

That's what I was thinking.. From my little knowledge of extension cord knowledge, I found out that 12/3 cords are "contractor grade", so all 4 of my various length cords are 12/3. NONE of them are as thick as that one yellow one looks.. and that one is supposed to be a 14 gauge?

[@roughcollielover1784]

looks like a 10 gauge to me too

[@tomjones2348]

Excellent presentation. I learned some valuable info. Fortunately I'm always wrapped my cords using your methods....nice and loose.

[@ImperialDade]

Excellent! Safety First!!

[@donaldmartin8562]

This is a pretty old video but I disagree on the best way to wrap a cord. If you alternate the loop when you wrap it will come out perfertly straight. It is hard to understand this from the description but I have used this method I learned doing and sound steup and tear down in the 80's and it always works. I don't know of a video on this but it works great.

[@mikewolf5367]

Yes you’re referring to the over/under method which is the most commonly recommended method, especially in video and sound production. There’s tons of videos on KZbin demonstrating it. Excellent comment.

[@BishopEddie5443]

Safety first. Great video Sir!

[@shanefink3653]

Thanks for the video I'm using an electric weed Wacker but it doesn't reach the whole boundary ..so just taking two different extension cords lying around and just trying not a good idea thanks..I don't know gauge or even lengths on these ..I'll be sure to wait and do it right even though low on funds can't just go buy new but yard getting out of control

[@jontnoneya3404]

Seems a bit lacking IMO. You can't just say "if you're using a 14 and need a bit more length add a 12 gauge cord" because it really depends on the lengths involved and the load. That's VERY important.

[@ImperialDade]

Hi @jontoneya3404, thanks for reaching out! This is an overview video. For more in-depth information, check out our long form article that explains more about industrial extension cord use: www.imperialdade.com/blog/extension-cords-101

[@jontnoneya3404]

@@ImperialDade - no you're missing the point. You don't even mention the more detailed and involved calculations. You simply say "If you need more length use larger gauge cord". To ignore the load aspect in the calculations can get people hurt or killed. But I guess it doesn't matter to you because they should have simply "watched the other vids" or whatever. Seems beyond irresponsible to keep this vid out there without addressing those very important issues.

[@mikewolf5367]

@@jontnoneya3404excellent comment. Load size and amperage requirements by the machine is absolutely vital and should never be glossed over.

[@GoodGuysMedia]

Very informative. Great production!

[@stevenkmckendallsr1169]

I am trying to apply the principal concept of your video to my particular situation. I have a TORO 120-volt, 12 AMP Ultra Electric Blower & Vacuum Mulcher (while Volts multiplied by AMPS = 1440 Watts), Model # 5619, Serial # 320208820m for which I have been trying to find a 150’ extension cord, but no luck as there don’t seem to be any on the market. That being said, your video, combined w/further research, has led me to believe that for best performance within an optimal power range at 150’ (while adjusting for potential power degradation over the overall length of this footage), I may be able to best compensate for such, by combining a 50’ 10 gauge cord for this amperage / wattage, with a 100’ 14 gauge cord of the same amperage / wattage capacity - w/the 50’cord feeding first, directly from the power source, to the 100 foot cord, which would be connected I turn, to the above specified product - w/out any potential damage to either the cords or the product to which they’d be connected, in this manner. Would you agree with this ? ALSO, since the Amperage, Voltage and Wattage specifications of the extension cords that I’ve been considering in this regard appear to be somewhat over, or just moderately higher than the correlative / related rating specs of my blower unit - would such still be safe for my blower, anyway . . . (i.e., do those specs [ i.e., upon the packaging & w/in the relevant product info for such] simply mean that those cords are good for items “up to” their reflected AMP/VOLT/WATT ratings - including my blower ? Please explain, as I have never understood this. Thanks

[@beverlyroberts4344]

Very helpful. I'm running a 13 amp machine. Need to go 200 feet. So i would connect a 12g 15amp 100 foot cord to the electric outlet, then add a 100 foot 14G 13 amp cord to the unit I'm running?

[@ImperialDade]

HI Beverly, Thanks for watching! We are glad you found this video useful! To answer your question, you actually need the opposite. You need to see what gauge the cord on your machine is and then use a cord that is lower. For example, if you find your machine has a 14 gauge cord, you actually need t gauge down and use a 12 gauge extension cord. In electricity, the smaller the gauge the larger the cord. Vacuums typically have 16 gauge so you would need a 14 gauge extension cord. If you have additional questions or run into any issues, reach out to us here: www.imperialdade.com/registration Don't forget to like and subscribe to our channel so you can stay up to date on the latest videos!

[@mitchplease456]

Great Video! Learned a lot!

[@carlorocky]

I just ran some outdoor Christmas lights using an outdoor extension cord into a gfci outlet. When the lights are unplugged I’m left with a live cord and am concerned about the safety of this practice, especially when it rains. Any thoughts or suggestions? Thank you

[@tonyc416]

Excellent information thank you! Subscribed.

[@mikewolf5367]

Honestly I wouldn’t even consider using a 16 gauge cord in a commercial application. You have to take into consideration the amperage requirement (usually located somewhere on the machine) the machine needs and the length of the cord. At 50 feet a 16 gauge cord can only handle 13 amps and at 100 feet only 10 amps. If the machine requires 12 amps then you’re already at or past the safety limit. Adding an additional extension cord of ANY gauge will simply compound the problem and drop the amperage even further before it gets to the machine (and increase the likelihood of machine damage over time) because extension cords act as resisters and the longer they are the bigger the resister becomes and the less electricity can get passed along. To minimize this loss you’ll want to use a larger gauge cord first such as a 10 gauge or 12 gauge connected to the outlet since they can carry more amps per feet, and THEN, if absolutely necessary, a lower gauge such as a 14 gauge. Think of it like a series of pipes in your building. If your water main is the diameter of a drinking straw it won’t matter how big the pipe it connects to next is because that “drinking straw” will ultimately be your limiting factor.

[@beanspock5]

Thank you very much.

[@axelec]

I was always thinking to extend an extension cord was to add the lighter cord last..Mmm

[@DavidSmith-xh5ou]

Great tips thanks so much!!

[@mitziebowman2987]

Also works for electronics. My headphones constantly unplugged from the extender.... not anymore!

[@fercastillo1439]

Wooow really good video

[@ImperialDade]

Thank you for watching . We are glad you enjoyed our content.

[@robertbaker50]

What do you recommend in extension cord to use on a deep freezer.. I need one about 10/15 feet

[@notaturkey2607]

A 12/3 gauge cord is proper thickness for a freezer. You should get a 25 ft.

[@chris2crazzy]

So I shouldn't plug a 14 gauge cord into a 16 gauge cord and then electric tape the end together,? What about repairing cut commercial cords? Splicing into them and then taking a knife and pilling the wires back and twisting and taping them back together? I am guessing that's a no no as well? What about trucking power strips 4 or 5 at a time? Is that not safe or up to code?

[@ImperialDade]

Thank you for watching our content. We do not recommend those activities. We recommend getting cords replaced by a licensed technician.

[@Jzn693]

Can plug a refrigerator with freezer and another 6.5 cu ft freezer (2 appliances) into a 50ft 12 gauge extension cord at the same time?

[@ImperialDade]

We are not refrigerator/freezer experts - I would check for sure with someone who is. It is our assumption that you should be able to see the gage of the cord coming out of the appliance. If you plug into an extension cord, you would want to use a gage that is lower in number to the one coming out of the unit. I would check with an electrician regarding plugging two cords into one extension cord as well. Sorry we're not able to answer your question to the extent you may have wished for.

[@notaturkey2607]

I recommend you get TWO separate 50 ft, 12 gauge cord, one cord per freezer unit.

[@davidbell9130]

thats right most people pull the cord from some distance, not a good practice

[@rickylloyd2010]

Righted watts is 1875 watts a cord.am only running 1000 watts max.

[@rickylloyd2010]

What about if u have 14 Gouge cord 25 ft and 25 ft cords hooked together.i have it running a normal house box fan and normal house lamp.for generator when we loose power.

[@notaturkey2607]

You should buy a single 50 ft cord for that scenario.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

People always intentionally cut off the ground pin. Damn that pisses me off.

[@leticiayniguez6313]

Can I plug 2 - 100 ft extension cords together if they r both 12 gauge?? Also I have a 2ft gfci box 12 gauge@ the power source.

[@DreamaMeOnly]

No that will cause over heating next gauge up

[@AP-gn9fd]

Don't do what Donny Don't does!

[@raiderhank]

Guy needs to learn how to coil correctly... It over under over under... Should come out like the day it was new... Not like spaghetti.

[@ImperialDade]

Thank you for watching our content and for your recommendation. Our objective was to teach twisting the cord is not best practice.