Understanding Wire Gauge
The extension cord comprises a wire made up of copper and is located in the centre of any wires with specific levels of thickness. AWG (American wire gauge) rates the thickness of the wires. The most shared ratings are about 8, 10, 12, 14, & 16. A valuable and powerful source that can be used to operate your electrical devices is needed for a proper job.
Without a specific amount of power to run the rig, there might be much damage to the devices, such as the appliances can be overheated or can cause fire or other heavy damage. Keep that thing in view if a wire has a small number that means that the thickness is increased, resulting in the delivery of additional control.
Thin wire usage can cause resistance. That is why a thick wire should be used for the power supply that uniforms the appliances. Also, a longer wire plays a role in higher resistance. It is preferred to use a thick wire but with a short length with a specific AWG rating.
RV’s Size & Amp Power Are Important
1. 15A RV – 10 Gauge extension cord
A small wire consisting of an RV that needs a 15A energy will run very efficiently with a 10 gauge extension cord. You may need a very thick wire to control the resistance, which can be taken as long as it is required with a well-made cover and thick strands. An extension cord that is 12 gauge and is capable of consuming power up to 15A at most minuscule.
2. 30A RV – 10 Gauge Extension Cord
The most particular size in which RV is available is a 30A RV capable of operating on 30 amps and 125 volts. The devices have an RV of at least 30A and have no issue running the devices that consist of 10 gauge extension cords. The AWG rate will decrease with an extension that is longer. That is why keep in mind to buy a cord that gives excellent resistance.
3. 50A RV – 6/3+8/1 OR 6/4 Gauge extension Cord
The most excellent and one with a higher strength in the world of RV is the one that is rated for 50 amps at 125/250 volts. RVs with 50A can go very considerably for large gauges like 6/3 + 8/1 or 6/4 gauge extension cords.
Right Gauge Calculation
Calculating is the best way to determine the correct gauge for your electrical appliances. The formula to do this is to sum all of the wattages of electronic devices that are present in your RV. If you are having trouble finding the wattage, it can be found on the back of your electronic appliances.
Once you find the total wattage and sum it up, divide that by 110 and round off to the closest whole number.
Right Length Measurement
To get closure to the nearest power plug, there will be no need to attach too many cords to each other if you buy an already lengthy cord because this will only elevate the resistance level. That is why it is necessary to choose one long cord to fill the void of higher voltage and dropping resistance.
Energy tends to reduce its level if the cord is extended. Long cords take up a lot of space as compared to short ones. That is why a short cord should be taken. Mostly 20-30 feet is enough for a campground, but measuring the cord before buying and plugging it into your house is okay. You can get a cord of 30 feet but consider the load too.
Voltage Drop and Temperature Rise Role
When choosing a cord, besides checking the proper amperage when you choose the correct cord of extension, the two other factors that matter are allowable temperature rise & voltage drop. The definition of voltage drop can be said as the lowering of voltage in different parts of a circuit, which happens due to resistance.
Let’s assume that you own a 14 or 26-gauge extension which you will hook to your 30 amps within the series of dog bone camper power adapters. According to the formula, 14 gauges can only consume 15 amps of passing energy flow. If the flow of energy is elevated to 15 amps, such as 30 amps, you will require a longer cord whose voltage drop is as low as 100 volts.
This can be proved possible, but your extension cord can be at risk of getting heated up. To avoid this and for your own safety, you require a 10 gauge cord to pass down 30 amps of current.
Hooking Up ACs and Generators
As you equip your home with many functioning appliances, you should consider your RV a home.
The first appliance that should be present in your RV camper is an air conditioner to keep the camper cool. A 14 gauge extension cord will be the reason for too much voltage drop when the compressor is turned on, especially when the cord in use is 50 feet extended. If the voltage drops, it will become the reason for a toll on the compressor and affect the cooling of the AC.
A generator is an additional appliance that requires an extension cord with your RV in order to supply energy. Choosing the correct gauge number will prevent any risks and damages to your generator or appliances. Durable, flexible, and well-built are the three main qualities that should come up with an ideal cord.
Conclusion
It is concluded that different gauge extension cords can be used for many purposes. The more extended the cord, the lower the voltage and the higher the resistance. To avoid resistance, instead of attaching more than two cords into one, you can take a single extended enough cord by measuring it beforehand. All of these factors revolve around the amperage that is required, voltage drop & allowable increase in the temperature.
