I have a dehumidifier that I'd like to use with a typical garage grade three prong grounded extension cord. 5.7amps it says on the dehumidifier. Ok? 25foot if that makes a scientific difference.
Is 5.7Amps CONSTANT ok on a grounded extension cor
- Thread starter SumpChump
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Extension cords may be 12 gauge, 14 gauge, 16 gauge or 18 gauge. This will make a difference. I very much doubt the dehumidifier uses a continuous 5.7 amps.
I don't know of any extension cords that are rated for less than ten amps. Cheezy computer cords are 16 or 18 ga and ten amps.
Beware the gauges used in building codes for in-the-wall wiring (14 ga = 15 amp) may not directly translate to extension cords. Just don't bury it under carpeting etc.
Beware the gauges used in building codes for in-the-wall wiring (14 ga = 15 amp) may not directly translate to extension cords. Just don't bury it under carpeting etc.
What is the distance from your appliance and the outlet plug?
What kind of outlet is it? 15 A? 20 A?
What size breaker is feeding the outlet?
What kind of outlet is it? 15 A? 20 A?
What size breaker is feeding the outlet?
Originally Posted By: Matinicus
What is the distance from your appliance and the outlet plug?
What kind of outlet is it? 15 A? 20 A?
What size breaker is feeding the outlet?
Breakers unlabeled, half are 15 half are 20amp. The outlet is the same that the Bradford-White 40gallon has water heater power vent fan uses. Not sure if that's a huge draw of amps.
The manual lists nothing as far as powervent amps draw.
Also the extension cord is 16 guage 60decrees C is says.
What is the distance from your appliance and the outlet plug?
What kind of outlet is it? 15 A? 20 A?
What size breaker is feeding the outlet?
Breakers unlabeled, half are 15 half are 20amp. The outlet is the same that the Bradford-White 40gallon has water heater power vent fan uses. Not sure if that's a huge draw of amps.
The manual lists nothing as far as powervent amps draw.
Also the extension cord is 16 guage 60decrees C is says.
A 15 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot side and a longer slot for the neutral.
A 20 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot and the neutral slot looks like a "T" lying on its side.
What is the approximate distance from the humidifier and the outlet?
How long is your extension cord? I just reread....25 feet.
You should be fine with what you have. I just tend to use the shortest cord possible. I'm staring at a 15 foot cord from ACE Hardware that is 16 Gauge, 13 Amp. A humidifier will have a larger pull on the line when the compressor comes on and will run at a lower amperage when up to speed. I really doubt it would ever reach 10 Amps peak even on start up. (Think of a refrigerator or window air conditioner.)
A 20 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot and the neutral slot looks like a "T" lying on its side.
What is the approximate distance from the humidifier and the outlet?
How long is your extension cord? I just reread....25 feet.
You should be fine with what you have. I just tend to use the shortest cord possible. I'm staring at a 15 foot cord from ACE Hardware that is 16 Gauge, 13 Amp. A humidifier will have a larger pull on the line when the compressor comes on and will run at a lower amperage when up to speed. I really doubt it would ever reach 10 Amps peak even on start up. (Think of a refrigerator or window air conditioner.)
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Originally Posted By: SumpChump
I have a dehumidifier that I'd like to use with a typical garage grade three prong grounded extension cord. 5.7amps it says on the dehumidifier. Ok? 25foot if that makes a scientific difference.
If you can get by with less in length that would be better. I would go 14 gauge or lower gauge.
As mentioned before, the issue is the cheap male/female plugs on the ends that cause issues.
I have a dehumidifier that I'd like to use with a typical garage grade three prong grounded extension cord. 5.7amps it says on the dehumidifier. Ok? 25foot if that makes a scientific difference.
If you can get by with less in length that would be better. I would go 14 gauge or lower gauge.
As mentioned before, the issue is the cheap male/female plugs on the ends that cause issues.
+1
I would make my own cord with 16 or 14 gauge wire and a couple of hospital grade plugs if it were me. I would then sleep at night and not worry about cheap, resistive plugs on a cheap cord.
I would make my own cord with 16 or 14 gauge wire and a couple of hospital grade plugs if it were me. I would then sleep at night and not worry about cheap, resistive plugs on a cheap cord.
Originally Posted By: Matinicus
A 15 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot side and a longer slot for the neutral.
A 20 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot and the neutral slot looks like a "T" lying on its side.
What is the approximate distance from the humidifier and the outlet?
How long is your extension cord?
25foot extension cord @ AwG16 powering a 5.7amp max draw dehumidifier with its own awg18 5foot cord. This plugged into a 15amp gfci outlet bottom receptacle . The top receptacle has the powervent motor for the 40gallon gas water heater plugged into it. Amps unknown on the powervent fan. The outlet itself is appx. 4feet from the main house breaker. House built in1992.
A 15 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot side and a longer slot for the neutral.
A 20 Amp recep. has a hole for the ground, a shorter slot for the hot and the neutral slot looks like a "T" lying on its side.
What is the approximate distance from the humidifier and the outlet?
How long is your extension cord?
25foot extension cord @ AwG16 powering a 5.7amp max draw dehumidifier with its own awg18 5foot cord. This plugged into a 15amp gfci outlet bottom receptacle . The top receptacle has the powervent motor for the 40gallon gas water heater plugged into it. Amps unknown on the powervent fan. The outlet itself is appx. 4feet from the main house breaker. House built in1992.
The water heater doesn't pull much current. Use what you have.
basic test... get it all plugged in and working for a bit then grab the plug ends or connections and if they feel at all warm get thicker gauge wire. over time the heat degrades connections and ends with blown breakers and ruined outlets/contacts.
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