is using a long extension lead dangerous?

Question

is using a long extension lead ok if the flex is fixed to the wall at regular intervals ?
is there a maximum length i can use ?

its in an office, indoors in good condition, there is one lead going into another, the items used are within the rating for the leads, i think its around 22m long am i correct in thinking that voltage drop would just make the items run at a lower voltage ?
am i right in thinking the earth wouldnt be as good because of the resistance of the flex ? if so would it make enough difference to matter ?

Answer 1

need to know the load (amps) of what you are using and the size of the wire (guage)

Answer 2

I take it you mean just a normal extension lead-there are many factors to take into consideration if it is,common sense is the main one!!.
Is it inside/outside,is it in good condition,is it the required size for the load connected to it-allowing for voltage drop for the length-can it be cut/damaged by accident-is it protected by an RCD-your question has so many variables attached to it I or no one else can give a definative answer without more information.
Regards Richard U

Dulcrayon's first point is wrong-there will be no heat build up-but as I said voltage drop will be a problem dependent on the length.

PS I'm a sparkie!!!

This is where the Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) comes in,The lead is now governed by Electricity at work act 1998-ie requires PAT testing-this will check the earthing and insulation properties for the lead etc-but the 16th edition regs say that any supply required that far from a socket should have a dedicated ring main/socket run to that location to alleviate the nead for an extension that could prove hazadous to health in less than ideal conditions.

Answer 3

If you are clipping the cable to a wall or other support, it shouldn't be dangerous, but depending on what you power with the cable, voltage drop could be a problem. The larger the appliance you use, the heavier cable you need to avoid the cable heating and voltage drop that can damage your appliance. Small lamps shouldn't need a heavy cable, but anything with a motor or heating element will.

Answer 4

YES!!!
the longer the cord the more heat that builds up.
for example: a 12awg (that's a 12 guage extension cord is rated at 20 amps-but that's for up to 25 feet-at 200 feet it will only support about 8 amps.
so, it depends on the load (how many amps) and how long you're talking about. they make charts that will tell you what guage you need for what load at what length.

Answer 5

certain this is ment to be risky yet i do all of it the time in the present day I actual have 3 extensoin leads suitable to a million yet another and then plugged into a million socket and nothings gone incorrect thus far. so i imagine its ok as long as u dont use each applience that u have plugged in2 the extention leads all together

Answer 6

It all depends but the lead should be of 2.5 m.It sounds an awful long way without a socket.You should get an extra socket fitted to be sure.

Answer 7

Actaully Richard it isn't the "Electricity at Work Regs" which covers extension leads... Its PUWER

provision and use of work equipment regulations.

(unless of course it's a domestic office, where no paid work is taking place). In that case no regs apply.

Answer 8

Should be fine but my grandma manage to electrocute me use several extenions plugged together. I was moxing her looooong garden and the electric mower stopped. Assumin that one of the connections had come loose, I went along squeezing them together until I reached the one where the plug cover had fallen off and attached my
self to the mains....

Answer 9

some of my extension leads are over100metres long and i regularly join two together ...never any problem but you must unwind all of it ..it will only get hot if left on reel

Answer 10

it's ok as long as you cannot get feet wrapped in it to trip.


make sure wire is fat enough to carry the current


can be as long as you want, sensible thing is to get extra socket fitted properly