Extension Cord Usage

[theroadwarrior]

I know many people say if it can be avoided you should not use extension cords in grow rooms. I am curious as to why. I use extension cords to run power tools that draw more amps than ballasts or fans. Not 24/7 but with say a 12 gauge extension cord rated to 15 amps shouldn't it be relatively safe? Is it really dangerous to use extension cords?

 

[samba]

I use them, never heard they are dangerous. I have my hole grow behind a 30' extension cord. I even use them in between my ballas and lamp, now I can just pull a plug if I need to move my ballast or bulb. Shit, now I'm freaking my self out,Is this shit dangerous?! I cant see why

 

[FreezerBoy]

Define room. If you're talking one or two, as for a cab, I don't see a problem. If you're talking about a multi light setup, that can turn into a nightmare of spaghetti real fast. Things to trip over, hang on, short out, flood ...

 

[jocat]

when you use extension cords you can get what's called 'voltage drop' what it means is some juice is lost in the distance it travels, keep them as short as possible, even cut them and redo the male/female end if their alot longer than needed. Have you ever felt a hot plug on say a small heater? that's not a good thing. if you ever detect heat in wiring or where things connect you need to deal with it, that means correct it before you have a short or WORSE. and don't forget to take a safety break when your done. personally, i don't do electrical when high. no room for small mistakes...and the potential for a real problem. gro on/be safe. jc

 

[K.J]

My understanding is that it wasn't so much extension cords themselves, but plugging multi-outlet power bars into an extension cord. Not sure why it's a problem, but that's what I understood to be the issue.

 

[moses224]

I bought a 240v with timer and am forced to run 3 cords to my dual ballast lumatek
i found them here cheapest
http://www.hydrofanatics.com/advanced_search_result.php/keywords/cord/sort/2a/page/3

they have twelve and twenty five foot cords

new gear ss2 hood with 3 dual 600 lumatek to compliment the 3 one thousands , 600 , 400 and one seventy five i already have

 

[macmiddle]

Hi

I use JCB extensions, they are rated to 3000w, i use 2 in my attic running 1000w each for veg

4 years later, still no probs, they are fully unwound, if you leave them wound up they can heat up too much

 

[Indecent]

It might be safe, but depending on the length it might cost you yield.

After finishing the electricity portion of my basement project and unplugging the 50-60 ft extension cords running upstairs, I noticed a substantial increase in the brightness of my bulbs.

 

[guest 77721]

Extension cords are safe if they are used properly.

Extension cords shouldn't be used instead of permanent wiring. There's a couple of good reasons for this.

By the electric code all wiring is to be installed in a conduit (pipe) if exposed or inside of a wall. Wiring is supposed to be protected. You are only supposed to plug an appliance into the wall receptical. The use of extension cords, powerbars etc.. is for temporary use.

All conductors get warm from the electrical current running through them. Wiring that goes in a wall has the right insulation and conductor size to prevent a fire in the wall.
Because an extension cord isn't covered up, smaller conductors with less insulation are used to give the same level of protection as the in wall type. If you cover up an extension cord like running it under a carpet, then there is a risk of fire.

Also you can buy extension cords that have a range of conductor sizes from minimal for a lamp or heavy duty for running power tools. It's easy to overload a light duty cord where the permananent wiring and fuse protecting it are adequate.

Any extension cord or an applicance cord that runs hot is a hazard and shouldn't be used.

 

[Philosophelon]

As long as it isn't coiled up, it is safe to run up to 12A on a 14awg cord. But not if the cord is very long, because there is more voltage lost the longer a cord is. If you are going to have a 50' or longer cord, use 12 awg.

 

[DiscoBiscuit]

Keep an eye on the female receptacle of the extension cord. This is the weakest link imo. If you see signs of heat (color change or worse) you can replace it with a heavy duty female receptacle. The conductors inside the receptacle flex when power is applied. Eventually this can degrade the conductor and even fry it in two.