220 volt extension cords?

If you use appropriately heavy wire, are there any problems with making 220 volt extension cords? I've never seen one.

 

Don't they use them for live productions like concerts?

 

Me thinks the Doc needs to go back to work

 

Use them all the time but I typically have to make them up from the appropriate ends and 3 or 4-conductor cord.

The gauge of the wire is important (appropriate to current load and length) but a 220 volt device typically requires about half the amperage of the equivalent 110 volt device (Ohm's Law).

 

Thanks.

I need to make cords or a Unisaw like this one:

http://woodworker.com/Unisaw.htm

(3 HP, not the 5 HP kind)

and for a 80 gallon air compressor, not sure of the power but certainly less than the table saw.

what gauge wire would you use for say, a 20 foot cord?


Any reason not to use Romex since I have a bunch of it already?

 

If this is for more or less permanent connections in your shop I would use Romex to extend some receptacles nearer to the saw and compressor (you can do it as fancy or "hillbilly" as you like. Just make sure everything is grounded properly).

You will need to check the nameplates for amperage requirements to decide how big the wire needs to be (12 gauge is good for 20 amps, 10 gauge is good for 30 amps). You will also need 3-conductor + ground (red, black, white, green or bare wire) cable for this.

It doesn't hurt to overdo the wire gauge (10 is better than 12) to reduce losses between the panel and the motor. It's also a good idea to put disconnect switches near the machines for safety (my compressor didn't have an on/off switch).

 

Thanks for the info.

I'm having to make it pretty non permanant as I have only one garage slot so machines will have to be rolled around. The compressor will be stationary.

I'm hoping if I can keep every thing off the floor that doesn't need to be on the floor (suspend all shelving from the wall/ceiling), I'll be able to roll all the big stuff to the side and produce a Cayman shaped space in the center of the slot. Oh yeah.....

 

I had one I made in college so I could use the 220v plug behind my dryer to run my welder in the garage it worked fine you have to get very heavy cable though

 

You ARE serious about this! Chop-busting apolo-jyzo

 

No problem using 220v extension cords - they sell them at Home Depot (around here anyway).

The above post is right - 220v is about 1/2 the amps of 110v.

Is the Romex solid core? If so, it is "not recommended" for use outside of walls - it's not meant for that. If it's stranded, you should be OK. Home Depot and Lowes around here sell "12/3" and "10/3" wire - which would work great. Having said that, I would use the Romex without too much worry - so long as it's stranded. If it's solid, just don't bend it a lot

12 gauge wire will be fine easily up to maybe 30+ feet. If you are making a really long cord (like 50-100' you will use to wheel your welder to the driveway), 10 gauge is better, but honestly not really necessary even at that length. Voltage drop and temp rise on a 12-gauge cable is negligible even at 20A.

You'll need 3-conductor wire for something like a 220V table saw... only need 4 conductor if you want to dry your clothes next to the saw

G'luck

 

Thanks Mike

 

Pete,if I wasn't the dumbest guy in the room I'd show you a link to Uro's ebay deal on his s60 in which he also links his kitchen project.Oh he's serious awlrite.He is a master sawdust maker/wood butcher. He's a dude.Give him props.
cheers,
RE

 

Use SJO neoprene jacketed cable, it's oil resistant and will stand up to being dragged around. 12 gauge at the minimum, 10 gauge if over 50' or so. Ifyou're going to use this on a regular basis, put in a Hubbel twist lock panel in the garage so you can unplug it. Osh or Home Depot carry them.Make sure you have a good ground. Do it right and be safe. Oh yeah, make sure you use 220v plugs/receptacles! Don't want anyone plugging 110v gear into them.

 

i made one to hook up my welder. im pretty sure i used a 8/3 cord. i've never had a problem with it.

 

I've heard that Hubbel stuff is just the mutt's nuts.... although the owner is out in space...

 

+1

That's how we do it here at work for some of our machines. HAng the cable from the ceiling with a spring relief and twist lock connectors on the end of the cable and the machine you're plugging it into. Even meets NEMA code. ( Ithink it's NEMA.)

DM

 

LOL!!!!

 

i found the picture i drew. maybe it will help.
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