2006-07-27 10:12:11 · 9 answers · asked by bmazurek71 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Other - Home & Garden
It is a common task to temporarily provide electric to a refrigerator or freezer by means of a commercial gauge extension cord.
Commercial grade cords are available at The Home Depot or Lowe's or at an Electric supply store. You should use the ABSOLUTE SHORTEST one to reduce voltage drop (the longer you go away from the source of electric then the less electric it will have available at the end- That is why you use the LARGEST GAUGE cord you can get which is usually 12AWG or 10AWG [10 is better]
Think of electric like carrying water in a bucket a long way the smaller the bucket , the less water you can have in the bucket and when it is carried for a long way it slashes out the further it goes away from the water supply. That is what they teach "Newbie electrician students" anyway.
If you understand a little about electric or think you can figure it out try this link to find out the voltage drop according to distance, AWG,etc. :
http://www.powerstream.com/Wire_Size.htm
(Go to bottom of page and click on all that apply and then click "click to calculate" to see how muck electric will be lost along the way and it will help you to determine what will work for you. Oh yes and you will probably be using a 120 volt-1 phase voltage and copper wire and either 10AWG or 12AWG but wouldn't use 14AWG too small.
2006-07-27 10:43:17 · answer #1 · answered by househelpers 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not recommended at all.
The plug from the refrigerator needs to be the one plugged into the wall socket. An extension cord can overheat, short and cause a fire. Costing you your home, the fridge and whatever beer was in it at the time.
Shame on you for endangering beer like that.
2006-07-27 17:15:29 · answer #2 · answered by J.D. 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The refrigerator should have installation instructions with it. Read them and follow them to the letter. Incorrect installation can cause electric shock and/or a very serious fire. If you're installing a used refrigerator and don't have the written instructions that come with it, then consult a licensed electrician before doing anything.
2006-07-27 17:17:11 · answer #3 · answered by Richard B 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I wouldn't. They use a lot of electricity and the extension cord wires aren't large enough for the current, could cause a fire.
2006-07-27 17:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by Dagblastit 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not very tidy, but it works and is safe.
However, you should not "pretend" that this is a permanent installation, by fixing the extension cable to the wall, run it through conduits or even the ceiling, and so on....
2006-07-27 17:18:15 · answer #5 · answered by Marianna 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an extension cord is not made for permanent use it gets hot and can cause fires
2006-07-27 17:18:20 · answer #6 · answered by lambtonliner 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Better to use a surge protector.
2006-07-27 17:17:26 · answer #7 · answered by The_Mystic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only if you want your house to burn down.....
refrige + extention cord = fire
2006-07-27 17:20:26 · answer #8 · answered by 321738 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you can, but it is a bad idea!
2006-07-27 17:15:28 · answer #9 · answered by Pobept 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋