What is the maximum usable length of an extention cable on a 240 volt system?

Answer 1

It depends on the wire thickness and current rating.
More importantly is safety - if you have a very long cable, it is quite a hazard. Tripping, danger of cutting it, rain getting into the connectors etc.

If you only want to power a few lamps or low power tools, then 50m. If you want to power a heater, it might be 10m. These are "off the top of my head". Actual voltage drops could be calculated. Simple devices like lamps will not mind if a few volts are dropped over a long cable run. More complex things like TVs might not like it so much. If its a permanant installation, get an electrician please! Double insulation is vital. Triple insulation (trunking/conduit/armouring) is even better.

Definitely add a circuit breaker and make sure the MCB or
fuses are appropriate for the cable rating. Joining several extensions together is more risky too. Check for continuity and earthing if you can. A good figure for an earthing is <0.1 ohms for the complete run.

Answer 2

USA The answer stating it depends on the load and size of wire is correct. For every cord, there is a voltage drop from one end to the other. The voltage drop is figured with a formula using the resistance and the length of the conductors. The longer the cord, the more voltage loss it will incur, and the less load it can carry. A 500,000 circular mil copper conductor will easily carry a 240 volt 10 ampere load for 2000 feet. The same conductor will not carry a 200 ampere load 1000 feet.

So, it depends on the size and type of wire, and the load to be carried. A good rule of thumb is do not go more than 100 feet with an extension cord, and do not plug two or more together.

Answer 3

read all of my answer
in reference to other answer:
300 feet and you are going to burn something up( 9% drop)
go to my second source and plug in the numbers
# 10 wire is rated for 30 amps

WW do you know the difference in 40 years experience and 1 year 40 times

depends on length and amperes

multiply the distance in feet (one way)
by the currant (in Amperes)
by the multiplier( for different wire sizes)
then place the decimal point in front of the last 6 digits

multipliers;

#10=2400
#8= 1560
#6=980
#4=620

example ==distance is 100 ft
50 amp circuit
#8 wire
100*50*1560=7800000 so 6 places would be
7.800000 voltage drop
now go hire an electrician

Answer 4

When you buy a extension lead it will have a maximum current rating on the lead or plug. this will probably be in amps. So your looking a number such as 10A or 13A.
The length of the lead will be determined by the manufacturer.
The length. of the lead is detemined by the volt drop in the conductors at rated load.

Answer 5

Use a manufactured extension cable and do not exceed the fuse rating and do not plug in a further extension.

However, if you are using a BS 1363 3-pin plug then you are limited to a maximum of 1.5mm flex.
They are available up to 50m long.

Answer 6

this depends on wire size the bigger the wire the longer your extension cable can be....i have a 10/3 extension cable that is 150 ft long and have no problems using it on 115 or 230 volts...a 10/3 cable for 230 volts only can be 300 ft long..with little or no voltage drop...

Answer 7

big cable goes a long way , small cable short distances.
And it depends on what you are using the extension for.

Answer 8

it would depend on the load (current draw of the devices or device) and the gauge (size of wire) the extention cord is made of

Answer 9

remember to unwind it depending on the load as it might get rather hot