Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Anyone here know an equation, or more importantly, where to buy heavy-duty long distance extension cords (300ft) to power a shop 300 ft from a plug? I know it needs to be low gauge but the cords seem to be sold by amps?
you can't buy extension cords pre-made for that size run because of voltage drop. 300 ft depending on amperage would require a huge wire gauge. you will be blown away by the size the wire jumps as you go further and further out. for only 200 ft and 15 amp you would need a 6/3 rubber cord. it is the size of a garden hose.
300 ft would be about a 1/0 cable at 120v 15 amp. that would enormous
you can't buy extension cords pre-made for that size run because of voltage drop. 300 ft depending on amperage would require a huge wire gauge. you will be blown away by the size the wire jumps as you go further and further out. for only 200 ft and 15 amp you would need a 6/3 rubber cord. it is the size of a garden hose.
300 ft would be about a 1/0 cable at 120v 15 amp. that would enormous
Thanks so much for the great reply! So a person would need to build an custom extension cord then of low-gauge wire? Does the power usage of such a massive cord make running say a light at the end of it extremely expensive or is the cost the same if the light was at the source?
luv4horses- Im trying to keep costs low and this will be kinda temporary so a new meter in this remote part of the yard isn't necessary I think.
Anyone here know an equation, or more importantly, where to buy heavy-duty long distance extension cords (300ft) to power a shop 300 ft from a plug? I know it needs to be low gauge but the cords seem to be sold by amps?
What exactly do you want to power in the shop? I'm an electrician. If you just want to power up some basic lights you will be ok for temporary use with an extension cord. Extension cords are used to temporarily distribute power not for permanent installations. If you plan on using tools there is no rig job way to do it, you need to have an electrician run a single circuit or a feeder to a sub panel in your shop.
What exactly do you want to power in the shop? I'm an electrician. If you just want to power up some basic lights you will be ok for temporary use with an extension cord. Extension cords are used to temporarily distribute power not for permanent installations. If you plan on using tools there is no rig job way to do it, you need to have an electrician run a single circuit or a feeder to a sub panel in your shop.
It's not really that permanent, it'd be lights and a water heater for the summer. I'd like to be able to just plug it in or out like an extension cord... Could an electrician make such a custom heavy duty one that could plug into an regular exterior socket ? I can't find any low gauge ones online, they must be illegal or something.
From everything that I've read legally you can't do what you want. Every site for consumer use 100 ft is the max, and what you describe as your needs it's illegal to do so.
You need to get an electrician to run a separate line and panel to your project area. Or as suggested above a generator.
Even if you could get a 2 or 4 gauge 300' cord made it would probably cost an arm and a leg, more than an electrician would charge, and weigh in excess of 200 lbs.
From everything that I've read legally you can't do what you want. Every site for consumer use 100 ft is the max, and what you describe as your needs it's illegal to do so.
You need to get an electrician to run a separate line and panel to your project area. Or as suggested above a generator.
Even if you could get a 2 or 4 gauge 300' cord made it would probably cost an arm and a leg, more than an electrician would charge, and weigh in excess of 200 lbs.
What would an electrician charge, and what is this process called? Wouldn't he essentially be doing the same thing- running 2 gauge cord to a panel? Would it have to be above ground?
I'm really surprised how difficult it is to find any information on this, I've been searching for hours!
if you ran 3-100ft 12/3 extension cords plugged into each other the voltage drop at 15 amp would leave you with 105 volt.
at 10 amp you would have 110v. for lights the bulbs would be dimmer but anything with motors would be harmful to the motor or may have the motor go off on overload or heat issues.
in effect you would be paying 10-12% more for your electricity then you would be actually using.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
