Jim DaddyO Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 I got the new extension cord run out to the shop today. Not the final solution, but a lot better than the 3 smaller cords I was using, with the connectors outdoors. A small step that should get me through the winter. Actually, it has to get me through the winter as there is no other option right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post drzaius Posted November 25, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Just watched the video & thought I'd clear up something for you. When measuring the voltage on a cord with no load on it, ie. the end has nothing plugged into it, there will be no voltage drop at all, no matter what size. Voltage drop only occurs when there is current present.You could have a 100' cord that is 22 ga & you will get exactly the same voltage at the far end as you do where it's plugged in. The reason there was a difference in the 2 readings is that the voltage at the source varied a bit.That's not to say you wasted your time & money though. With a load, the new cord will have much less voltage drop & your table saw will thank you. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim DaddyO Posted November 25, 2015 Author Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 Just watched the video & thought I'd clear up something for you. When measuring the voltage on a cord with no load on it, ie. the end has nothing plugged into it, there will be no voltage drop at all, no matter what size. Voltage drop only occurs when there is current present.You could have a 100' cord that is 22 ga & you will get exactly the same voltage at the far end as you do where it's plugged in. The reason there was a difference in the 2 readings is that the voltage at the source varied a bit.That's not to say you wasted your time & money though. With a load, the new cord will have much less voltage drop & your table saw will thank you.Thanks, I was under the impression that the voltage would be less due to more resistance in the smaller cord using ohm's law .... V=IR. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tpt life Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 All they are saying is that you have to close the loop to have resistance. While the tester theoretically closes the loop, it should have negligible impact. You have done a wise thing, don't sweat the picky details. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 True, V=IR, but if there is no I, then there is no V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trip Posted November 25, 2015 Report Share Posted November 25, 2015 ==>^^V=IR is DC, there's a bit more going on with AC (E=IZ), but to simplify... It's opposition to current flow. Without flow, no opposition (think heat). No opposition, no loss... This is oversimplified and a bit wrong, but you get the idea... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted November 26, 2015 Report Share Posted November 26, 2015 Even if your new cord is the same wire gague as the old ones, you still improve the circuit by eliminating the contact resistance of the extra plugs. Having no connections lying on the wet ground doesn't hurt, either! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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