Extension Cord Gauge For Griots 6" ROP

Nightwing

Nightwing

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I purchased the GG 6" Random Orbital Polisher, with the 25' cord, since I live in an apt. with outside outlets. I didn't know, if there was anyone like me, as to what gauge of the extension cord should one obtain to plug into the 16 gauge Griots 6" polisher?

If you're like me here is what I found. Cord gauge is a measurement of cord width. Thin cords have a high gauge, and thick cords have a low gauge. Thick electrical, or low gauge, cords can carry more electric current and can stretch longer distances. As a general rule, cords less than 50-feet (15 meters) long should be a minimum of 16-gauge. Cords over 50-feet (15 meters) long should be 14-gauge for low-drain or 12-gauge for high-drain equipment.

Particularly long extension cords, such as those used outside, should be a lower gauge. Any cord over 50-feet (15 meters) should be a minimum of 14-gauge. If the cord is needed for anything with large power spikes, such as an electric saw or leaf blower, then it should be a minimum of 12-gauge. - Wisegeek
 
I have a 50ft 12 gauge I use all my equipment with when needed & never had any problems.

(4 polishers, steamer, extractor, ect)
 
thanks for the info. I need an extension cord and didnt know the difference but now i do! thank you.
 
You can get away a smaller gauge cord for a GG but if you are going to buy an extension cord get a 12 AWG since it will run anything you need in the future.
 
Colinpd137 said:
I have a 50ft 12 gauge I use all my equipment with when needed & never had any problems.

(4 polishers, steamer, extractor, ect)
Click to expand...

Same here :props: 12 gauge cords cost some $ but better to do it the right way.
 
I use a 12 ga. extension cord also. In fact, I bought a couple extra when I came across them at going-out-of business sales, so I have a 25', a 50', and the one I made, which is ? long.

If you're buying one specifically, get the 12 ga. I wouldn't get one less than 14 ga., for sure.
 
Us wire and cable has a 100ft 12 gauge for 100 dollars, also made in usa !
 
You can buy 50' and 100' of 12ga wire and put your own ends on. I did it's easy as pie. I put a 3 outlet end on it so I can plug a couple of things in at once without having to plug and unplug as needed. It's handy. I have the GG 3" and the Flex plugged in so I can switch back and forth while doing a section.
 
I wouldnt recommend making your own cord to anyone unless they have some experience. Poor connections are a huge factor in fires because that is where all the heat will be generated. 12AWG wire will handle the draw of a GG polisher no problem, the issue is the voltage loss over X distance. Less voltage loss with bigger gauge wire and it will handle more amperage. Money well spent IMO to get the best you can afford for whatever length you need.


Im gunna go full geek here for you...


Vd=Voltage Drop
I= Amps (current)
L= One-way length of circuit (feet)
Cm= Area of conductor (Circular mils)
K= Resistance in ohms of 1Cm (circular mil again) foot of conductor

Now K value for copper we will use 12.9 @ 167 degrees F ( im talking about temperature of the conductor here not the ambient and 12.9 is a standard for this calculation)

the voltage drop formula looks like this

Vd= (2K * L * I) / Cm

So...we will use 7.08 amp draw (Gets us to the 850W quoted power), 50ft and 12AWG wire (Cm of 12AWG is 6530Cm)

Vd= (2 * 12.9 * 50ft * 7.08) / 6530

aaaaand we get Vd= 1.4V

Cool not to much huh lets see then...

120V * 7.08A = 850Watts (7A gives you 840watts not the 850 quoted)

Well then if i lost 1.4 volts what power do i get now?

118.6V*7.08A=839.68 watts... hmmm man I just lost like 10Watts of power!!!!

BUT WAIT! what about that 16AWG 25ft cord on the polisher???

Lets do that as well then!

Vd = (2 * 12.9 * 25ft * 7.08A) / 2580Cm

Vd = 1.77V.... uh oh

So now by the time the voltage actually gets to the motor its

120V - 1.77V - 1.4V = 116.83V

Hmmm the plot thickens!

116.83V * 7.08A = 827 watts!!! down 23 watts of power after having to go through all those cords!!!


The lesson here is you cant change the tools characteristics but you can control the Length and Gauge of the cord. Increasing the gauge lowers voltage drop and increases the power you can use. Increasing the length uneccesarily will do the opposite and decrease the power you can use.


If anyone is curious I referenced my little Ugly's electrical manual 2011 edition which is based on the NEC. If I have made any errors feel free to laugh a little at my expense!

Feel free to do this calc with the other mentioned Gauge wire as well here are the Cm for each

16AWG = 2580Cm

14AWG = 4110Cm

12AWG = 6530Cm

K for copper is a standard 12.9 as mentioned

K for aluminum is 21.2

The 2 multiplier is a constant for the formula as well for single phase calculations.


:dblthumb2: Im the MAN
 
BlkHemiLTD said:
I wouldnt recommend making your own cord to anyone unless they have some experience. Poor connections are a huge factor in fires because that is where all the heat will be generated. 12AWG wire will handle the draw of a GG polisher no problem, the issue is the voltage loss over X distance. Less voltage loss with bigger gauge wire and it will handle more amperage. Money well spent IMO to get the best you can afford for whatever length you need.


Im gunna go full geek here for you...


Vd=Voltage Drop
I= Amps (current)
L= One-way length of circuit (feet)
Cm= Area of conductor (Circular mils)
K= Resistance in ohms of 1Cm (circular mil again) foot of conductor

Now K value for copper we will use 12.9 @ 167 degrees F ( im talking about temperature of the conductor here not the ambient and 12.9 is a standard for this calculation)

the voltage drop formula looks like this

Vd= (2K * L * I) / Cm

So...we will use 7.08 amp draw (Gets us to the 850W quoted power), 50ft and 12AWG wire (Cm of 12AWG is 6530Cm)

Vd= (2 * 12.9 * 50ft * 7.08) / 6530

aaaaand we get Vd= 1.4V

Cool not to much huh lets see then...

120V * 7.08A = 850Watts (7A gives you 840watts not the 850 quoted)

Well then if i lost 1.4 volts what power do i get now?

118.6V*7.08A=839.68 watts... hmmm man I just lost like 10Watts of power!!!!

BUT WAIT! what about that 16AWG 25ft cord on the polisher???

Lets do that as well then!

Vd = (2 * 12.9 * 25ft * 7.08A) / 2580Cm

Vd = 1.77V.... uh oh

So now by the time the voltage actually gets to the motor its

120V - 1.77V - 1.4V = 116.83V

Hmmm the plot thickens!

116.83V * 7.08A = 827 watts!!! down 23 watts of power after having to go through all those cords!!!


The lesson here is you cant change the tools characteristics but you can control the Length and Gauge of the cord. Increasing the gauge lowers voltage drop and increases the power you can use. Increasing the length uneccesarily will do the opposite and decrease the power you can use.


If anyone is curious I referenced my little Ugly's electrical manual 2011 edition which is based on the NEC. If I have made any errors feel free to laugh a little at my expense!

Feel free to do this calc with the other mentioned Gauge wire as well here are the Cm for each

16AWG = 2580Cm

14AWG = 4110Cm

12AWG = 6530Cm

K for copper is a standard 12.9 as mentioned

K for aluminum is 21.2

The 2 multiplier is a constant for the formula as well for single phase calculations.


:dblthumb2: Im the MAN
Click to expand...
Yeah What he said:whs:
 
So to be safe if you have the money, can you just buy the 12 gauge?
 
A 12 AWG cord is always a good investment today and in the future to power anything.
 
I used to run 100 foot 16 gauge on my extractor, and one day I went to shampoo a customers carpets, and smoke started shooting out of the bottom of the extractor, then it caught on fire and all the plastic melted onto the customers driveway.

There was nothing I could do except sit there and watch it burn...


I now have 50 foot 10 gauge cord running to all my equipment including polishers...
 
The first couple times I used my PC I did so with an old 16ga I had laying around. On paper, it should have handled it, but it got hot to the touch and I had some carbon scoring on the plug after using it the second time. It was promptly thrown in the trash and replaced.

I now use a Husky branded 12ga 50' I bought at Depot. A week after I bought it, I saw a 2 pack of really nice 12ga 50' cords at costco for $5 more. I bought a couple for use around the house with power tools, my dad and father-in-law bought them for use with their RV. They're great. American made, have the LED built into the plug to show when it's hot, and they seem like they're made better than my HD cord.
 
All of my polishers run cooler with a 12 gauge cord. Harbor Freight has some of the best prices on ext. cords and then you can always use their coupons to make it even cheaper
 
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