0
No, it will not overheat unless too much current is being drawn through the cable, but this can happen even with a cord that is not coiled. Example: The lightweight zip cords used for Christmas tree lights and other light-use appliances such as table lamps, are made to carry very little current, perhaps only a couple of amps. If somebody uses such a cord to power a circular saw, grinder or some other power tool which uses 12 amps or more, that cord will overheat and start to melt the insulation. Not only that, but the tool itself will be damaged because its motor will overheat.
A single conductor (one wire only) coiled up and with current passing through it may heat up. This, after all, is how older electric heaters worked. A single, high resistance wire was wound around a ceramic rod and current passed through it, causing it to glow red.
A power cord has two conductors (three if a grounding conductor [green] is included). Without a neutral (white or gray) the cord would be useless. This neutral wire negates the effect of heating that would otherwise be generated by the single conductor.
As a former electrical contractor, I had to attend electrical code classes every year to maintain my license. The electrical inspector who taught the class, used to take photos of code violations (some done by homeowners with little or no knowledge of electrical installations). In one of the photos a single conductor was passed through a cable connector and into a breaker panel. He said that when a current is passed through the conductor, the steel case of the breaker panel will heat up. A neutral, run with the live conductor, would prevent such heating. Obviously, the "electrician" who installed the single conductor must have already had a neutral at the device to which he was running the new conductor. Perhaps there was an open circuit in the live conductor, but whatever the reason, a single conductor must never be run by itself in any electrical installation because of the heating factor.
In a recent fire investigation, the fire marshal concluded that a coiled up power cord was the cause of the fire. That could be possible if the insulation was deteriorated and there was a short circuit between the live and neutral conductors. It will not happen in a cord in good condition. But such a short could cause a fire even if the cord was not coiled up.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Wiki User
∙ 8y agoNo, it has the same capacity as it would have if it was un coiled.
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
Can a microwave be plugged into an extension cord?
Yes, as long as the extension cord is rated for the load. Most microwave ovens use 1000W or more, some less. A standard two wire extension cord would be unsafe. There are, however, extension cords which have the proper gauge of wire and the necessary 3-prong outlets which a microwave would need to operate safely.
Why is it important that the resistance of an extension cord used to power an electric heater be kept low?
An electric heater is one of the high-power appliances in a house, commonly taking 1.5 to 3 kilowatts of power. The current is high, and therefore there is a drop in the voltage applied to the heater equal to the current multiplied by the resistance of the cord. There is probably little power wasted, because any heat from the cord goes to heat up the same room. But a voltage drop causes the heater to draw less current because its resistance is constant, and therefore less total power is provided to heat the room. If the heater is thermostatically controlled so that it is not working all the time, the difference is small because any reduction in the heater's power would cause the thermostat to keep it going for longer, to compensate.
Why is a toaster cord so short?
Short electrical cords are less likely to get tangled, to get tripped over, to get stepped on which can cause fraying, or to otherwise be messy and troublesome. Of course, if you don't happen to have a conveniently located electrical outlet, your short cord won't be that convenient after all. But you can always use an extension cord or power bar if you need to.
Can an extension cord plugged on a 230V socket outlet be used to connect a fully wired container with a distribution box?
You should know the maximum current drawn from the distribution box (in amps) and that must be less than the current that the extension cord is able to supply.
What is the minimum acceptable wire size for ground conductors in power cords for power cord lengths less than 15 feet in length?
Its 16 AWG
Why is a phone cord coiled?
So that it takes up less space, and is self recoiling.
Why is the voltage at the end of a long extension lead used with an electric drill less than the mains supply voltage?
Resistance in the length of wire that makes up the extension cord causes voltage to drop. But it needn't be a problem with the right extension cord. For an electric drill, up to a 25 foot cord of 16 gauge wire will cause a voltage drop so small as to be negligible. For 50 feet, switch to a 14 gauge cord. For heavier power tools (circular saw in particular) you should use a 14 gauge extension from the get-go.
Can a microwave be plugged into an extension cord?
Yes, as long as the extension cord is rated for the load. Most microwave ovens use 1000W or more, some less. A standard two wire extension cord would be unsafe. There are, however, extension cords which have the proper gauge of wire and the necessary 3-prong outlets which a microwave would need to operate safely.
Can you connect a 6 outlet power bar to an extension cord?
There are several variables:First and most important, what will be the current draw? If the total number of amps exceeds the rating of either the power strip or the extension cord you're creating a fire hazard.Second, the wire gauge and length of the extension are important. You will loose voltage over distance and that is a function of the current draw, wire type and wire gauge. If you're trying to run 20 amps, don't use any less than a 12 gauge extension cord up to a maximum of 100 Ft. 15 amps, minimum 14 gauge.
Can an extension cord be to large for any appliance?
If you are talking about the gauge of the wires, then no. Larger guage wires( numerically lower) will pass current required for the appliance with lower losses, so it is better in that reguard Less resistance= less waste( in the form of heat). If you are talking about LENGTH, then yes. The longer the cord, the more losses that occur. Voltage lowers, so current goes up. If the extension cord can't pass the required current, then voltage remains depressed, and you end up with an appliance and extension cord that are running hotter, and less efficient. Worst case; fire.
Why is it important that the resistance of an extension cord used to power an electric heater be kept low?
An electric heater is one of the high-power appliances in a house, commonly taking 1.5 to 3 kilowatts of power. The current is high, and therefore there is a drop in the voltage applied to the heater equal to the current multiplied by the resistance of the cord. There is probably little power wasted, because any heat from the cord goes to heat up the same room. But a voltage drop causes the heater to draw less current because its resistance is constant, and therefore less total power is provided to heat the room. If the heater is thermostatically controlled so that it is not working all the time, the difference is small because any reduction in the heater's power would cause the thermostat to keep it going for longer, to compensate.
Why is a toaster cord so short?
Short electrical cords are less likely to get tangled, to get tripped over, to get stepped on which can cause fraying, or to otherwise be messy and troublesome. Of course, if you don't happen to have a conveniently located electrical outlet, your short cord won't be that convenient after all. But you can always use an extension cord or power bar if you need to.
Can an extension cord plugged on a 230V socket outlet be used to connect a fully wired container with a distribution box?
You should know the maximum current drawn from the distribution box (in amps) and that must be less than the current that the extension cord is able to supply.
An incandescent lamp connected to 120 voltage source with a short extension cord provides more illumination than the same lamp connected to the same source with a very long extension cord?
A: absolutely not lamps needs current a long cord introduce IXR drop making less current for the lamp to use it
Can you use an extension cord for a window air conditioner?
Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.
Can you use an extension cord with a window air conditioner unit?
Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.
Why did the manufactures install very short power cables on power tools in the past?
Several manufacturers tried this as a cost cutting measure figuring that if they bought less cord the savings would be a profit. It might have seemed like a good idea because most of us use our power tools with an extension cord anyway. But, the buying public didn't accept it and the manufacturers went back to standard length cords.
