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-   -   Mixing gauges and/or lengths of extension cords (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=450888)

  • Feb 23, 2010, 06:02 PM
    joseph beck
    Mixing gauges and/or lengths of extension cords
    I have a 12 amp electric lawn mower, I have used a 25' 14ga extension cord which worked well. My question is can I plug two 25' 14ga extension cords together to equal 50'? Or would it be better to use 12ga. Extension cords. Can I mix gauges, say a 25' 14 ga. Plugged into a 12ga 50' cord to obtain 75', or is it a no-no to mix gauges? Thanks for your help, j. beck
  • Feb 23, 2010, 06:17 PM
    cdad

    What is the farthest you want to go? Its best to stick with just 1 extension and for high amps the 12ga is fine.
  • Feb 23, 2010, 06:24 PM
    joseph beck
    Hello, thank you for your response. I would like to have at least 100' if that's possible, j.beck
  • Feb 23, 2010, 06:25 PM
    cdad

    You should be able to find it in that length.
  • Feb 23, 2010, 10:53 PM
    ceilingfanrepair

    Someone will yell at me, but I've never been picky about gauge of extension cord, or connecting them together. I just use what's handy. After all, they're only temporary.
  • Feb 24, 2010, 02:17 AM
    KISS

    #14 at 50' is a good number. It gives you a 3.2% voltage drop. One cord or two, it doesn't matter. You should be shooting for 3% or less.

    #12 at 50' would give you a 2% drop or 2.4 volts.
    #14 at 25' would give you a 1.6% or 1.9 volts
    Combined would give you (2.4+1.9)/120 would be ~3.6% which isn't too bad.
    #12 at 25' would give you 1% or 1.2V

    So, lets look at: #12 at 50' + #12 at 25' + #14 at 25'
    (2.4+1.2+1.9)/120 = 4.5% not great

    #10 at 50; is 1.3% or 1.5 V
    So, let's look at:

    50' of #10 + 25' of #12 and 25' of #14
    (1.5+1.2+1.9)/120 = ~3.8%. Much better.

    Use any combination and you can keep the smallest diameter (#14) wire at the mower. 50' of #10, you might have to make and not buy.

    I have 100' of #12 flat style from Woods and it's heavy. Take a look at Woods Wire and cable products manufacture | Coleman Cable, Inc..

    I think this Amazon.com: Woods 2991 Yellow Jacket 50-Feet 10/3 SJTW Yellow Power Cord with T-Blade Plug 20-Amp/125-Volt Rated with PowerLite Plug: Home Improvement which is #10 at 50' would be an excellent choice for the 50' segment and it would do better in the voltage drop calcs.

    So use the 25' #14 for a while and

    then 25' of #14 and 25' of #12 to get to 50'

    Then 50' of the #10 and 25' of #14 to get to 75'

    and then 50' of #10, 25' of #12 and 25' of #14 to get to 100'

    Only glitch is that the #10 at 50' would requite a 20A outlet to plug into. The female end accepts bot 15 and 20 Amp plugs.

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