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Uberclocker
02-03-2003, 09:49 AM
Ok here is the deal..
Im living in someone's attic right now and there are no recepticals. They suggested I run a 100ft extension cord from the first floor up to the attic. Then put a surge protector on it to run my two 400 watt computers w/ 17'' monitors. My question is this..
Is it ok to have such a huge length of cable causing all of that resistance at such a high load?
Should I watch the cable in case it gets too hot?
thanks
get the heaviest extention cord you can find, like those ones construction companys use...
and try to find a place to plug it in where it will not likely be shared by other appliances so it will have its own circut breaker...
also after running your computers for a hour or too feel the cord where it plugs in to the wall socket to see if it is hot, and feel along the cord where the surge protector plugs in at, hot spots are a sign that the appliance is trying to draw more current than the electrical cord can handle...
williamwbishop
02-03-2003, 10:02 AM
If it's going to be frequent use, you might as well run a length of wiring. Let me know if you decide too, I'll tell you how.
michaelk
02-03-2003, 10:24 AM
If your PC's are running at full power then
400W x 1.414 = 566VA or 4.71 amps
Monitor (approx)ea 1.2 amps
Total current * 2 11.8 amps
conservative estimate PC runs at 75% max
Total current 9.5 amps
To be on the safe side your extension cord should have a rating of 12 amps or greater.
Uberclocker
02-03-2003, 10:27 AM
Thanks guys :)
And thanks michaelk for the suggestion. I will definatly check and see what the cord is rated at.
/me loves it here
michaelk
02-03-2003, 10:39 AM
You will need to check how much current the circuit that you are pluging into is capable of supplying.
Don't forget to have some form of fire suppresion device available (electrical rated of course)
:)
Uberclocker
02-03-2003, 11:12 AM
Will do. The house is old, and the service was installed in 96', but I am not sure if the outlets are even really grounded. I have to buy a volt meter this weekend to find out. The outlet im plugged into is 3-prong but of course that doesnt mean anything. The majority of outlets in the house are 2 prong.
williamwbishop
02-03-2003, 12:37 PM
Originally posted by Uberclocker
Will do. The house is old, and the service was installed in 96', but I am not sure if the outlets are even really grounded. I have to buy a volt meter this weekend to find out. The outlet im plugged into is 3-prong but of course that doesnt mean anything. The majority of outlets in the house are 2 prong.
If it is old, and unless it was retrofitted post 1975 I doubt that it is grounded.