Thread: Using Extension Cords to power workshop?

It provides much better dust extraction than not running it.
You have to allow for what can conceivably be connected. It can also be run at the same time as the bandsaw or the router.
It's up to Mr Chippy not me. He has the information now he can decide.

Originally Posted by NCArcher

The 1300 watts is the dust extractor, you need to add the 1200 watt planer/thicnesser as both will be used at the same time.

A 15Amp lead 40m long with 2500W of power will have a voltage drop of just over 12V. A bit too high IMO. Go for the HD 2.5mm (20Amp) extension lead. The voltage drop will be kept below 8V which is well within the 5% guide line.

Wheelin - The current carrying capacity and VDrop figures quoted are based on an ambient temp of 25 deg C and a max temp of 60 deg C. Although temp does have an effect it's not enough to worry about. Temperature is a problem when the cable cant dissipate heat because it is surrounded by insulation.
With flexible cords/extension leads a bigger problem is leaving the cable wound onto a spool. With 4 layers wound onto the spool the cable has to be derated by a factor of 0.4. i.e. if the unwound cable is capable of carrying 20 Amps when 4 layers are wound onto a spool or reel the cable can only safely carry 8 Amps. (So Mr Chippy, don't do this)

Thanks for that
In my apprentice days I learned never to leave a coiled power cable rolled up another apprentice did and it got so hot attached to a welder it melted shorted out and blew the fuse box. Same as I have seen duct taped cable to floors get hot enough to melt the duct tape drawing to much power for an amp sound board and light board control centre all off one ext cable.

Just some comments, from personal experience.

As a renter, I am virtually forced into using extension cords to make my workshop a practical proposition, and have done so over the last 7 years, and 3 incarnations. In general, I use a series of the piggy-back cables, with 4 plug extension boards as droppers, and run them all the way around the shed. Total distance between 3 and 20m from plug.

As I am the only one using the shed, there is usually only one tool in use, or tool and a couple of lights. The only time the system is under significant load, is when using thicknesser or table saw, and dusty at the same time.

I spent yesterday machining some Australian cedar. Had both machines running for about 1 1/2 hrs, with only short breaks. Dusty is 1hp, thicknesser 2000W.

I checked from time to time, and at worst, cable could just be felt to be warm to the touch, at the point where it went into the wall socket.

regards