Recently I ran into a low-price store to search for goods needed for a summer residence. I came across an extension cord, the right thing with which you can use a power tool anywhere on the site.
I decided to buy it, but not one, but two at once. The packaging stated that the extension cord holds the load in:
- 1300 W and 6 A,
- Made of PVA wire, 2 x 0.75 mm
- 20 meters long.
But before using it, I checked it for the declared characteristics, namely: Will it be able to withstand the load in the air heater (electric heater) for half an hour.
Tests
To check the extension cord I use in tests:
- Wattmeter, with its help I will know the exact load in watts, as well as other network parameters.
- Thermometer, digital. With thermocouple. I will measure the temperature of the cable.
- Heat gun for 1.5 kW (3 kW) and a heater of 1 kW.
In order for the measurements to be close to perfection, I pulled out an extension cord (hung it up).
The thermocouple was screwed to the extension cord with blue electrical tape, approximately in the middle of the product.
Ambush
Launched the first 1 kW heater. And then it turned out that the voltage in the network of the garage cooperative was too low. Therefore, instead of a kilowatt, the load was 890 W. In any case, the extension cord withstood half an hour of work. The wire temperature rose by only 4 degrees in 30 minutes.
I decided to load it with a 1.5 kW heat gun. Indeed,
when it was turned on, the network sagged so much that the load parameters corresponded to the maximum for this extension cord of 1.3 kW. Which is very good for testing.
The tests were carried out at a maximum load of 1.5 kW on the heat gun switch. According to the wattmeter, approximately 1200 W-1300 W. The value jumped for half an hour. Mains voltage 200 - 210 volts. The current strength is about 6 amperes.
The wire temperature has risen from 9 degrees Celsius to 17. the value is not critical. This extension cord can be used without problems up to 1000 watts of power. If this value is exceeded, the wire heats up, which can lead to damage to the extension cord. And possibly a fire. But this applies to all wires. The main thing is not to exceed the load.
This review is amateurish, so it does not claim to be true. I checked it for myself, and shared the information with you. Draw your own conclusions.
I hope the article was interesting. From SW. Timofey Mikhailov.