Sunny Bakes
Member
I already have a 50 ft. 16 gauge, 13 amp cord. Also have a 100 ft. 16 gauge 10 amp cord. They say "light duty" so I'm skeptical. Are either of these ok for the heater? If not, which gauge and amp rating cord should I buy?
Which extention cord should I use for a 1500 watt portable heater
- Thread starter Sunny Bakes
- Start date
Toolage 87
Well-Known Member
none. You never run heavy load things on a extention cord. Get a plug installed that can handle it
Sunny Bakes
Member
That's the problem. I absolutely have to use an extention cord. I heard there are some that I can buy that are safe. Just need to know which one
Toolage 87
Well-Known Member
If you have to I would go for industrial grade cords but I sill wouldn't go for cords.
How far away is the heater from the main plug source?
Sunny Bakes
Member
There is a setting on the heater that uses 750 watts. Would these cords be ok if I had the setting on that? It should right?
Toolage 87
Well-Known Member
If it says it can handle it then use but I would always go for the best because you get what you paid for.
roidrage152
Active Member
Plugged into a 110v outlet that heater pulls about 13.6 amps. Amps is usually how u judge what thickness of wire to use. I always err on the side of caution but here's some rough/ safe numbers. 16 gauge up to 10 amps. 14 gauge can handle shorter runs up to 15 amps. Longer than 50ft or so and for something that will run for longer than a couple hours at a time 12 gauge would not be a bad idea. 14 gauge is the 15 amp standard. Keep in mind however also that you usually don't want to go over 80% capacity on a circuit in amps. For something like a heater that will run all the time I wouldn't put it on a 15 amp circuit at all. If you must go with the 12 gauge and prob don't put anything else on the circuit or it will just trip a lot probably. If you run it at 750w either cord will be adequate.
Watts / volts = amps.
Watts / volts = amps.
