2006-09-12 06:45:20 · 11 answers · asked by Cool Dude 3 in Consumer Electronics ➔ Other - Electronics
A lot of half accurate answers here. I'll add mine.
The wire in an extension cord is typically not as big as the wire in your house wiring. If you plug something like a refrigerator or freezer, anything with a motor, into an extension cord and the wires are too small, the cord will create a voltage drop. This voltage drop can overheat the cord and possibly start a fire. The voltage drop will provide the motor with a voltage that is lower than that rated for the motor. This could cause the motor to run slower and overheat. This could damage the motor and is another possible fire source.
When you use an extension cord to run a saw or drill, typically you only use it very intermittently. The heat has a chance to dissipate between uses.
Knowledgeable contractors who use their tools on extension cords a lot get cords with big wires in them to prevent this problem.
2006-09-12 16:30:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your question is "does it increase the wear on the appliance?" them the answer is maybe.
The risk you run is when you use a high power appliance like an air conditioner or portable heater with a regular extension cord.
The extension cord can only deliver a finite amount of electricity through the wire. If the appliance tries to draw more current than the extension cord is designed to handle, two things happen:
1) The cord will begin to heat up. The more it heats up, the greater the risk of the cord starting a fire. That's why you hear so many stories about fires started in the winter by heaters.
2) The other thing that can happen, and I believe this is your question, is that the appliance begins to wear more quickly. the reason for this is that it is not getting enough power to operate correctly. Just like the cord that can't supply enough electricity heats up, circuits and transformers in the appliance begin to operate at a higher temperature than they were designed for. This increased operating temperature will cause the electronics to possibly wear out faster.
If you need to run an extension cord to a high power appliance or to a bunch of small appliances, then get a "thicker" extension cord. I run a 3 ft. #12 extension cord to our portable heater all winter long on our porch and it is fine. the cord costs about $8US at most hardware stores.
Also, try to get the shortest extension cord you need to reach the outlet. The longer the cord, the less efficient it is.
2006-09-12 14:39:58 · answer #2 · answered by wyntre_2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of these answers, put together, almost got it right.
The danger is in running an electrical appliance off of an extension cord that is too light to carry the load required by some appliances. After all, there are many elecrical power tools, for instance that almost have to run off of extension cords to be of any use.
Besides, what is an extention cord but an extension of the wires in your house. These lines "extend' the power from the pole to your house, to the outlet, to the plug to the cord to your appliance.
Make sure the extension cord is rated high enough to properly power the appliance. Some example of appliances drawing a heavy load would be your refrigerator, stove, washer and dryer, heaters, etc. These need a thick, heavy duty cord, all the way from the wall to the appliance.
A couple of strings of those small Xmas tree lights dont' draw much current, and run fine on a regular houshold extension. Same with ordinary table or floor lamps, radios, even a curling iron.
2006-09-12 14:21:46 · answer #3 · answered by Vince M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
"increase the wear" they are having you on, increase the weat on what?
however if you operate a high drain electrical device (eg 13amp) off an extension lead make sure that you fully unwind or unwrap the extension lead. failure to do so can cause the cable to melt and possibly short out due to some physical property of electricity in coils.
Generally it best not to use such devices on extension leads, or if you do make sure the extension lead is significantly higher rated that the total current you expect to draw through it. They certainly should not be used for an extended period of time, in place of a proper wired socket (as the extesnion cable can get damaged with use and abuse) - striclty a short term fix.
2006-09-12 13:54:55 · answer #4 · answered by Mark J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What else (apart from electrical appliances) would you run off an extension cable?
However - if you mean high-voltage appliances, then true, they could cause the cable to heat up (especially if you leave the extension cable coiled up) and eventually melt... I did it once when I plugged in an electric heater, power drill and a couple of lamps in at the same time - stank like the tyres on a Scouse gettaway car
2006-09-12 13:47:13 · answer #5 · answered by ShowMeTheLite 3 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Not true, but if the 'appliances' you are running on an extension draw a lot of current, the cord may heat up or even burn!!
2006-09-12 13:56:37 · answer #6 · answered by RICHY RICH 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The wear of what? Electricals appliances will only use the electricity they are meant to things are bound to wear out eventually
2006-09-12 13:51:02 · answer #7 · answered by joepublic101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
use it up and wear it out...
Not true unless you are talking about the cable.. then again how weak is the cable compared to the amount of power it needs to deliver????
2006-09-12 17:07:47 · answer #8 · answered by anazati 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you connect lots of extentions you can decrease the power.
2006-09-12 14:26:29 · answer #9 · answered by Dodgey Jon 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes it's true.
2006-09-12 13:56:10 · answer #10 · answered by sbound_40 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋