Office Depot has 6' Ativa Indoor 6 Outlet Split Sofa Extension Cord (Black or White) for $2. Shipping is free. Thanks daisybeetleOffice Depot also has 40ft. Ativa 3 Outlet Indoor Extension Cord for $5.99 + free shipping. Thanks somol [discuss]

16 gauge for 40 feet. It's a little light for that distance. 16 gauge extension cords show a maximum 18 amps, but that is for short lengths. At 10 amps you are getting a 3.9 volt drop over 40 feet, or 3.3% - I don't feel like breaking out the formulas and calculating the exact max amperage at 40 feet with a 5% drop, and you shouldn't run it that close anyway. The max you ever want is 5%, and you really don't want to seriously undervolt things like motors (which you shouldn't put on this kind of cord anyway) or electronics. Not a TD at all, this is a good purchase. Just don't abuse it by running a higher load then it's designed for, even if it doesn't actually damage the device you can start a fire.

http://home.mchsi.com/~gweidner/e...-cords.pdf

FYI - an overloaded electrical cord gets hotter. As it gets hotter, it's resistance increase which means it produces even MORE heat for same load (i.e. amps to simplify things) through the cord. The feedback loop can cause the cord to get hotter and hotter until it melts and shorts out (destroying electrical items plugged into it), ignites flammable items, etc. UL approval means the melt/throw the circuit braker scenario is the most likely - but you can still get a fire, it's just harder these days.

Wow that was a mouthful, good post though, not sure what to take from it, but still slickdeal

dont be trying to run your portable air compressor with this extension cord.

itll work for a house vacuum but you are pushing it with a skill saw.

Thanks, OP. I bought one for a TV antenna distribution amplifier that I will be installing in a location where there is no close outlet. As already mentioned, not good for something that draws a lot of amps but perfect for something that doesn't need a lot of power.

TU in for one, thanks OP!

yep. good for indoor window Christmas lights or something

in for 3 thanks!

And for fun I used this voltage drop calculator [csgnetwork.com] to find that the amperage draw on a 40 foot 16 gauge circuit that results in a 5% voltage drop (which Mr. Harley says is the most you should ever allow) is actually 15.3 amps. Does a hairdryer even draw that much?

Edit: specs say it's rated for 13 amps, at 120v that is 1560 watts, so anything without a heating element or large motor should be fine.

Quote from frankqfrank : in for 3 thanks! And for fun I used this voltage drop calculator [csgnetwork.com] to find that the amperage draw on a 40 foot 16 gauge circuit that results in a 5% voltage drop (which Mr. Harley says is the most you should ever allow) is actually 15.3 amps. Does a hairdryer even draw that much? Edit: specs say it's rated for 13 amps, at 120v that is 1560 watts, so anything without a heating element or large motor should be fine.

Thanks - I was guessing 13 amps from the chart, but didn't want to screw up - and ambient temperature makes a difference, too. Some hair dryers draw 1500 watts, so it's close and shouldn't be too much of a problem as heating elements are one thing that are not hurt by a voltage drop - just don't run it for an hour. I wouldn't run a 1500 watt heater, though - the longer it runs, the hotter the cord gets, etc.

Quote from greenmeansgoooo : dont be trying to run your portable air compressor with this extension cord. itll work for a house vacuum but you are pushing it with a skill saw.

A much simpler explanation than mine. I should have said heavy duty motors, I was thinking about my Ryobi 10" miter saw. I could run it with this, but it would probably shorten the motor life substantially. Small hand tools are fine, as would be most computer/lcd monitor combos.

Quote from Mr. Harley : Thanks - I was guessing 13 amps from the chart, but didn't want to screw up - and ambient temperature makes a difference, too. Some hair dryers draw 1500 watts, so it's close and shouldn't be too much of a problem as heating elements are one thing that are not hurt by a voltage drop - just don't run it for an hour. I wouldn't run a 1500 watt heater, though - the longer it runs, the hotter the cord gets, etc. A much simpler explanation than mine. I should have said heavy duty motors, I was thinking about my Ryobi 10" miter saw. I could run it with this, but it would probably shorten the motor life substantially. Small hand tools are fine, as would be most computer/lcd monitor combos.

i can just see someone trying to running their 1500w space heater off this. O.O

Quote from greenmeansgoooo : i can just see someone trying to running their 1500w space heater off this. O.O

Unfortunately, they do. I once tried just for jollies to run a 1500 watt heater through a six foot 18 guage cord - controlled experiment, on a tile floor with no flammables. I came back 10 minutes later and picked up the cord and dang near burned my hand. I was taking Physics and wanted to see just how hot it would get - I had run the calculations and didn't believe how much heat they said it would produce.

Quote from Mr. Harley : Unfortunately, they do. I once tried just for jollies to run a 1500 watt heater through a six foot 18 guage cord - controlled experiment, on a tile floor with no flammables. I came back 10 minutes later and picked up the cord and dang near burned my hand. I was taking Physics and wanted to see just how hot it would get - I had run the calculations and didn't believe how much heat they said it would produce.

yup, this is what starts fires and burns down apt buildings and homes. people dont heed the warning not to use an extension cord with a portable heater.

btw, looks like you save about $10 on a 40' 16/3 cord that costs about $15 at l0wes plus gas/shipping.

this is an inside cord, which basically means that its not weather proof.