In very cold weather I keep my dogs in metal cages (in my shop) with 250 watt heat lamps hanging over the cages. I'm running two lamps off of a generator extension cord connected to my homes exterior outlet. I need to add a third lamp connected to a separate ext cord, but both cords will need to be connected to the same outlet. Will this 750 watt total be too much to run from one outlet? Many thanks.
Too much current for one outlet?
- Thread starter ms136
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Assuming typical and compliant wiring methods, the outlet itself would not be overloaded. Whether it overloads the circuit depends on its total load.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
Just raw numbers p=ie
assume worst case a 15 amp circuit
totaled circuit allowable W= 15 amp x 120v : 1800W
but we know we can't load (OK let's assume you don't have 100% rated breakers-for the puriest)
15 amp circuit 100% so we need touse 12 amp
so; 12amps x 120V : 1440W so we have that allowable wattage.
Your with 750W x 125% = 937.5W used -1440W = 502.5 watts remaining.
No Vd was not considered!
To expand on Smarts statement, all homes have the liberty of tapping the exterior receptacle off of any circuit except the kitchen and bathrooms. Thus the sum of your load plus any other load that usually (not always) on the circuiton the other side of the wall from where the outdoor receptacles islocated needs to be summarized.
What bothers me is what is a generator extension cord? An average extension cords
is at16 & 18 AWG, If your cord is at all beefy 14 or 12 AWG or greater, I think your good!
Your not melting the existing cord run into the snow are you.
assume worst case a 15 amp circuit
totaled circuit allowable W= 15 amp x 120v : 1800W
but we know we can't load (OK let's assume you don't have 100% rated breakers-for the puriest)
15 amp circuit 100% so we need touse 12 amp
so; 12amps x 120V : 1440W so we have that allowable wattage.
Your with 750W x 125% = 937.5W used -1440W = 502.5 watts remaining.
No Vd was not considered!
To expand on Smarts statement, all homes have the liberty of tapping the exterior receptacle off of any circuit except the kitchen and bathrooms. Thus the sum of your load plus any other load that usually (not always) on the circuiton the other side of the wall from where the outdoor receptacles islocated needs to be summarized.
What bothers me is what is a generator extension cord? An average extension cords
is at16 & 18 AWG, If your cord is at all beefy 14 or 12 AWG or greater, I think your good!
Your not melting the existing cord run into the snow are you.
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