30 amp cord

[PBR]

Is there a limit to the length of the cord  or number of extention cords for 30 amp service ?

[mgbbob]

Is there a limit to the length of the cord  or number of extention cords for 30 amp service ?

Hi,  

I am not an electrician but I think I can help.  The number of cords is really coverned by the outlets available.  The final load is what you need to know.  The size and length of the extention cords do play into the equation.  Many good extention cords even have a load rating by length on the package.  The cord charts compensate for voltage drop across the length of the cord.

You must also add in a fudge factor.  The equations to do the calculations are based upon the ideal voltage being available (115 or 220).  During high demand that may not be what you are actually seeing at the plug.  When the voltage goes down the amprage goes up if I remember my formula.  When the amerage goes up then the cord capacity goes down.  Confused yet?  

I  always add in a feel factor.  When I plug in a high draw item I go back after a short while and feel the cord and the plug.  If they are hot or even warm then I probably need to increase the size of the cord or the amount of load connected.

Buy the largest gauge wire cord you can and keep the lenghts as short as possible.  Motorized items probably need to be on an individual cord or connected directly to the outlet.

[Campaholics]

Mgbbob, you might not be an electrician; but you got it right except for a typo in the second to the last paragraph.  I think you meant to say "increase the size of the cord, or decrease the load."
 
PBR, I don't think a typical load of frige, furnace, lights, crock pot, computer, water pump running at the same time will get above 15 amps.  Before anyone starts totaling current draws, convert all loads to watts.  1200w is 10 amps at 120 VAC.  All bets are off if you are running an air conditioner.
 
Bob

[PBR]

We have  2007 Coachman Clipper 2485 with a 13500 BTU A/C unit.
We will be making our maiden voyage down to Cape May County N.J. and being August I will be running the A/C. I have a 30' 30 amp extention cable I plan on using because the utility box is so close to the road.

I will keep an eye on the performance of the A/C and the temp of the cable.

[mgbbob]

Mgbbob, you might not be an electrician; but you got it right except for a typo in the second to the last paragraph.  I think you meant to say "increase the size of the cord, or decrease the load."
 
PBR, I don't think a typical load of frige, furnace, lights, crock pot, computer, water pump running at the same time will get above 15 amps.  Before anyone starts totaling current draws, convert all loads to watts.  1200w is 10 amps at 120 VAC.  All bets are off if you are running an air conditioner.
 
Bob

10-4 you are right.  I just remember that bigger is better in cord size.  The smaller the number the bigger the wire.  And shorter is best.

Bob

[mlslocks]

We have  2007 Coachman Clipper 2485 with a 13500 BTU A/C unit.
We will be making our maiden voyage down to Cape May County N.J. and being August I will be running the A/C. I have a 30' 30 amp extention cable I plan on using because the utility box is so close to the road.

I will keep an eye on the performance of the A/C and the temp of the cable.

Take a volt meter to check the voltage in the trailer with the A/C on. Watch for dropped voltages. Also keep an eye (or hand) on the cord connections for heat. A poor connection will creat heat and current loss.

Lee