Length of 15amp extension cord

barina · Guru

Length of 15amp extension cord

Dougwe · Chief one feather

How,

Judy, I find a 10mt lead a little too short at times so just recently got a 20mt and can join if needed for the odd time I need it.

Yeh I know, I'm the odd one smile

Big Gorilla · Guru

How long is a piece of string !!! 10 meters is not that long. I agree with Dougwe, I have 2 leads I carry, both 20 meters. Seems like a good length for me...

valiant81 · Senior Member

Hi;

I, like doughwe, have two 15 Amp leads. One is 10 Mtr and is the one that i mainly use, as we find that at most caravan parks ( when we are not free camping ) this is all we have needed so far. But we also have a 20 Mtr lead and have yet to use it.

D and D · Guru

Ditto, and I haven't found a situation yet that I haven't been able to get power to the van (maybe I shouldn't be tempting fate this way) :)

Dave

oldbobsbus · Guru

I'm a gutz for having too much stuff..

we carry1 x10m, 1 x 15m and 1 x 20m.. smile

we only ever use the 10m one and lend the others out.

Mind you we have a big M/H so room isn't a problem..

barina · Guru

Thanks all. You all help with the advice and tips you give......

Phil C · Guru

OK, just to set the records straight this is all about "volt drop" and that means the longer the lead the more voltage will be "lost" (for the want of a better word" over the length of the cable.

A 15 Amp lead should have 2.5mm square wires inside.

From practical experience, we have to use a 25 meter 15 amp lead at our home base, when I draw 10 amps in the van, my voltage drops from 240ish to 225 to 230V.

At camp I use a 10 meter lead, much better.

I would hesitate to say a 20 meter is the max (subject to criticism Im sure) furious

Safe travels

oldbobsbus · Guru

Phil C wrote:
OK, just to set the records straight this is all about "volt drop" and that means the longer the lead the more voltage will be "lost" (for the want of a better word" over the length of the cable.

A 15 Amp lead should have 2.5mm square wires inside.

From practical experience, we have to use a 25 meter 15 amp lead at our home base, when I draw 10 amps in the van, my voltage drops from 240ish to 225 to 230V.

At camp I use a 10 meter lead, much better.

I would hesitate to say a 20 meter is the max (subject to criticism Im sure)

Safe travels

Without going into the technical side of things I think Judy was just interested in the length of lead most of us use the most.. smile

I have never given any thought to length v voltage drop but I guess if ya needed to use a 20 becoz a 15 wouldn't reach then you would have to wear the voltage drop and considering all appliances work quite satisfactorily on 220v it wouldn't matter that much.. smile smile

Phil C · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
Phil C wrote:
OK, just to set the records straight this is all about "volt drop" and that means the longer the lead the more voltage will be "lost" (for the want of a better word" over the length of the cable.

A 15 Amp lead should have 2.5mm square wires inside.

From practical experience, we have to use a 25 meter 15 amp lead at our home base, when I draw 10 amps in the van, my voltage drops from 240ish to 225 to 230V.

At camp I use a 10 meter lead, much better.

I would hesitate to say a 20 meter is the max (subject to criticism Im sure)

Safe travels
Without going into the technical side of things I think Judy was just interested in the length of lead most of us use the most..
I have never given any thought to length v voltage drop but I guess if ya needed to use a 20 becoz a 15 wouldn't reach then you would have to wear the voltage drop and considering all appliances work quite satisfactorily on 220v it wouldn't matter that much..

Fair comment Bob. I have a 25 Meter at homebase and a 10 Meter on the road..

Cheers

MaryJane · Senior Member

Ahhhh Judy, so I read the responses, and at 9.30 pm decided to measure my lead. It's 15metres. NEVER had an issue, and just quietly, if I'm paying for a caravan park and more than 15 metres from their power source, I'm in the wrong park.
As for amp draw and voltage, it's a 15 amp lead and certified. But I always make sure it is laid out in lines, never crossing and never left coiled. Simple like that biggrin biggrin

-- Edited by MaryJane on Sunday 12th of October 2014 10:02:48 PM

-- Edited by MaryJane on Sunday 12th of October 2014 10:04:54 PM

SnowT · Guru

MaryJane has hit it on the head..

No Matter what size Lead you have..

The most important thing to remember is..
If you have a 20m Lead..
No matter what distance you use it at DO NOT leave the Excess LEAD COILED up...

A Coiled Lead will act as an inductive Load on the Cable which will overheat the insulation of the cable and cause a Possible fire risk..

Caravan Fire.

Juergen

oldtrack123 · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
Without going into the technical side of things I think Judy was just interested in the length of lead most of us use the most..
I have never given any thought to length v voltage drop but I guess if ya needed to use a 20 becoz a 15 wouldn't reach then you would have to wear the voltage drop and considering all appliances work quite satisfactorily on 220v it wouldn't matter that much..

HI Bob

Without going into the tech side biggrin

If you use a SINGLE length" approved" lead, the voltage drop has already been taken into consideration by the STANDARDS smile

That is one of the prime reason why leads SHOULD NOT be joined

Joining them MAY lead to excessive voltage drop under FULL load

PeterQ

oldtrack123 · Guru

SnowT wrote:
MaryJane has hit it on the head..

No Matter what size Lead you have..

The most important thing to remember is..
If you have a 20m Lead..
No matter what distance you use it at DO NOT leave the Excess LEAD COILED up...

A Coiled Lead will act as an inductive Load on the Cable which will overheat the insulation of the cable and cause a Possible fire risk..

Caravan Fire.

Juergen

HI

Sorry but you have it wrong!!

A coiled up two or three core lead does not have an inductance leading to heating

In fact such cable inductance does not lead to heating in any cases.

What does cause the heating is CABLE resistance,which also leads to voltage drop AND twice the current will lead to 4times the heating

Unless specified otherwise cable current ratings are generally rated for use in free air[ for the cooling effect.]''

Free air means not coiled up or covered up, even over a short length,

Basics electrics!!

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Monday 13th of October 2014 12:10:24 AM

03_troopy · Guru

AC voltage drop for a 25M lead 2.5mm sq (15A) with a load of 10A should be in the range of under 5VAC, so not really an issue for the extension lead. ( Calculator ) So Phil, maybe the line voltage at the point you plugged into was a bit low to start with.

As far as heating up of coiled extension leads, I agree with Oldtrack.

SnowT · Guru

Darrell you talking about me or PeterQ...

I know I'm a current Licensed Electrician, And All I was trying to warn of if the Possible risk of Fire...

Juergen

On a Side Note I said Nothing about the Load on the Extension Lead... You Can have a straight Lead that when over used.. Current Loads higher than the Cables Rating Will always cause a Cable to overheat and Melt.. Add in the extra Load of a Coiled Cable and you add to the Issue.. Especially if you have used A Form to rap the cable around..

Bunning's 25m Caravan Lead.. Now this Lead is only 1.5mm2 cabling with a 15A Plug set.. [this Lead is just at the limit of load for Cable size..]

Fire & Death in Waiting Now this I would not touch with a Barge Pole...

Do Not use These or even a homemade version unless you unwind the excess cable off them... I Don't Know what the other's will say But this one Item is what you might store your lead on but when in use Unwind it fully..

J

-- Edited by SnowT on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 03:53:54 PM

-- Edited by SnowT on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 03:54:58 PM

03_troopy · Guru

I agree with Oldtrack here, the main cause of coiled cables overheating is that they are run at close to their uncoiled current rating, which would normally cause heating at a safe level. Because the cable is coiled, the full heating effect is concentrated in a small area and the multiple coils don't allow natural cooling by air, causing heat to build up to unsafe levels. The inductive reactance causing any major effect is doubtful when you consider the conductors for a twisted pair over the length of it, tending to cancel out the effect.

oldboar · Senior Member

LMAO, Juergan, definitely not you. Fairly obvious I thought that I was backing you up.

Darrell

oldbobsbus · Guru

oldboar wrote:
LMAO, Juergan, definitely not you. Fairly obvious I thought that I was backing you up.

Darrell

Settle Petal.. smile smile smile

Like you I sometimes think PeterQ goes overboard with his info..

I also agree that sometimes he gives more info than required to answer a simple question like the current on..

Having said that I also feel he often adds to the entertainment of us all and if he weren't here posting his wealth of info we wouldn't have anything the shake our heads about. biggrin

Ya gotta remember that while we are out here in the playground enjoying ourselves poor Peter is at home looking after is sick wife and getting bored to tears..

So please allow him some pleasures.. smile smile smile

Even if it's only annoying you and me biggrin biggrin biggrin biggrin

After all Wombat and Dougwe aren't always on hand to entertain us. cry cry cry

billeeeeeee · Guru

Phil C · Guru

03_troopy wrote:
AC voltage drop for a 25M lead 2.5mm sq (15A) with a load of 10A should be in the range of under 5VAC, so not really an issue for the extension lead. ( Calculator ) So Phil, maybe the line voltage at the point you plugged into was a bit low to start with.
As far as heating up of coiled extension leads, I agree with Oldtrack.

You are probably right troopy, also may have a slightly strange voltmeter in the van... (cheap ebay) so with crappy SA electricity fluctuations and poo poo meter I may be guessing.

Thought about OldTracks inductance comment and sort of agree. The jury is still out as in my book any current carrying wire (be it AC or DC) in a loop produces inductance, BUT I agree not enough to get hot in this case. HOWEVER I have seen some pretty big lumps of melted PVC and copper after a LARGER coiled up extension cord got hot.. So perhaps a clarification of oldtracks comments may be in order.

Peter probably needs to understand the spirit of this forum and not be so critical on a personal level. Comments like "you are wrong" or questioning trades peoples qualifications (now that pissed me off big time) furious inflame a situation and put people off side. There have been many times I have wanted to throttle the man for his comments, but as you say, he has a host of other issues we should all be empathetic over. But Peter, please stop pissing people off, then perhaps Darryl will not be so critical. biggrin

Again, I have seen Darryl's work and qualifications as he has seen mine, I support him in saying its time to put up or shut up.

Hope you are all well.

-- Edited by Phil C on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 08:39:47 PM

-- Edited by Phil C on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 09:01:00 PM

Phil C · Guru

oldbobsbus wrote:
oldboar wrote:
LMAO, Juergan, definitely not you. Fairly obvious I thought that I was backing you up.

Darrell
Settle Petal..
Like you I sometimes think PeterQ goes overboard with his info..
I also agree that sometimes he gives more info than required to answer a simple question like the current on..
Having said that I also feel he often adds to the entertainment of us all and if he weren't here posting his wealth of info we wouldn't have anything the shake our heads about.
Ya gotta remember that while we are out here in the playground enjoying ourselves poor Peter is at home looking after is sick wife and getting bored to tears..
So please allow him some pleasures..
Even if it's only annoying you and me

After all Wombat and Dougwe aren't always on hand to entertain us.

Pass.....

Ive had my fill of these blokes.

At least I have seen qualifications from Darryl..

Big Gorilla · Guru

Never read so much c r a p in my life about a piece of cable with a plug on one end and an extension socket on the other..... Voltage drop, heating of coiled cables, inductive meltdowns, electrical qualifications. In fact guys keep it going, I'll just wipe the tears of mirth from my eyes and go get another RED....I want to read some more....

SnowT · Guru

Just one point of fact...

NOT all 15A Caravan Extension Leads Are in fact 2.5mm2 Cabling...

Bunning is sell one that is actually 1.5mm2 Cabling.. So if you go on the estimated load on the cable.. Have a Look at the First Circuit breaker or Main switch in your 240v power system..

========
So the thing is in the Vans/MH and other vehicles.. What is the First CB/RCD that you have in your system's..

> Do you have a 20A Main-switch/RCD or do you have 2 of them..?
If you have 2 of them you can expect that the possible load could actually be 40A..
So what I'm saying is Do Not be surprised if your /minimum Main Switch is a 20A CB/RCD

- Have you had a look at the load that you can have in the van at the one time..
On a Stinking hot Day/night, your camped in a CP and you have hooked up to the CP power system..
>> The
Aircon needs a 2.5kw Generator so lets say 10Amps is consumed there..
> Just say your watching your TV say 100-150w..

I have a feeling that you will hit 15A very easy..
-------------------------------------------------------------

It would be very easy to overload the extension cables..

The Question you have to ask yourself is your Extension a [1.5mm2 15A Lead] or is it a true [2.5mm2 15A Lead]..
Are you skirting the maximum Current load of the Extension Lead...

Juergen

oldtrack123 · Guru

Phil C wrote:
OK, just to set the records straight this is all about "volt drop" and that means the longer the lead the more voltage will be "lost" (for the want of a better word" over the length of the cable.

A 15 Amp lead should have 2.5mm square wires inside.

From practical experience, we have to use a 25 meter 15 amp lead at our home base, when I draw 10 amps in the van, my voltage drops from 240ish to 225 to 230V.

At camp I use a 10 meter lead, much better.

I would hesitate to say a 20 meter is the max (subject to criticism Im sure)

Safe travels

HI Phil

A 2.5mm xlead can be 40M long & still comply with the voltage drop limitations for a 15A load

However if used with loads which have a high surge current the length drops to 25M

It is all laid out in AS3199

PeterQ

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 11:22:43 PM

-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Tuesday 14th of October 2014 11:23:32 PM

oldtrack123 · Guru

SnowT wrote:
Just one point of fact...

NOT all 15A Caravan Extension Leads Are in fact 2.5mm2 Cabling...

Bunning is sell one that is actually 1.5mm2 Cabling.. So if you go on the estimated load on the cable.. Have a Look at the First Circuit breaker or Main switch in your 240v power system..

========
So the thing is in the Vans/MH and other vehicles.. What is the First CB/RCD that you have in your system's..

> Do you have a 20A Main-switch/RCD or do you have 2 of them..?
If you have 2 of them you can expect that the possible load could actually be 40A..
So what I'm saying is Do Not be surprised if your /minimum Main Switch is a 20A CB/RCD

- Have you had a look at the load that you can have in the van at the one time..
On a Stinking hot Day/night, your camped in a CP and you have hooked up to the CP power system..
>> The
Aircon needs a 2.5kw Generator so lets say 10Amps is consumed there..
> Just say your watching your TV say 100-150w..

I have a feeling that you will hit 15A very easy..
-------------------------------------------------------------

It would be very easy to overload the extension cables..

The Question you have to ask yourself is your Extension a [1.5mm2 15A Lead] or is it a true [2.5mm2 15A Lead]..
Are you skirting the maximum Current load of the Extension Lead...

Juergen

HI Jurgen

It Should not be possible to overload the Extension lead IF the Standards have been followed

The INLET socket & the lead SHALL be protected by a 16A OLCB

The 15A lead, even if 1.5mm cannot be overloaded, But VOLTAGE drop may be a problem with high surge currents[motors starting]

THe Standards try to cover ALL situations

Now wait for the "boring knowitall" to come back on that one too.

PeterQ

PeterD · Guru

SnowT wrote:
Just one point of fact...

NOT all 15A Caravan Extension Leads Are in fact 2.5mm2 Cabling...

Bunning is sell one that is actually 1.5mm2 Cabling.. So if you go on the estimated load on the cable.. Have a Look at the First Circuit breaker or Main switch in your 240v power system.. . . . Juergen

Yes all suppliers sell 15A power leads constructed with 1.5 mm2 cable. The standards dated before the current amendments permitted 15 A cables to be constructed with 1.0 mm2 cable up to 10 m long. The table below is a photocopy from a recent copy of AS/NZS 3001.

Maximum Length of Electrical Cables.jpg

PS, knowing this information does not necessarily permit you to construct your own power cords.

-- Edited by PeterD on Wednesday 15th of October 2014 12:33:19 AM

oldtrack123 · Guru

Phil C wrote:
OK, just to set the records straight this is all about "volt drop" and that means the longer the lead the more voltage will be "lost" (for the want of a better word" over the length of the cable.

A 15 Amp lead should have 2.5mm square wires inside.

From practical experience, we have to use a 25 meter 15 amp lead at our home base, when I draw 10 amps in the van, my voltage drops from 240ish to 225 to 230V.

At camp I use a 10 meter lead, much better.

I would hesitate to say a 20 meter is the max (subject to criticism Im sure)

Safe travels

I shall repeat a 15A" approved" lead can have 1.5mmX cable provided it's length does not exceed 25M for general use or 15M for loads with high starting currents

ALL leads sold must meet the Standards

Bunnings sell them with a 15A plug & 15A socket

THEY ARE approved

Now if ANY of these corrections gets up someone's nose I could not care less

But I believe the greatest problem on forums/ net is incorrect information

I will continue to correct such when ever I see it

Others are welcome to correct any post of mine that they KNOW is incorrect .

PeterQ

oldbobsbus · Guru

Sooo can ya tell me how does all this friggen information answer the OP's question.. disbelief

It's a pity some of you just can answer the question yawn yawn yawn yawn

Which was, unless you have forgotten

"Is there a too short or too long size lead what do most people think is adequate??"

Webmaster · Guru

Hi all, Just a quick reminder to keep posts respectful and positive. We welcome discussions and different points of view; however, we do not allow personal attacks. I am closing this thread now. Thanks for your understanding.