atomarc
Diamond
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2009
- Location
- Eureka, CA
I'm not new to wire, cords and electricity but am confused as of late on this issue. All this info was gleaned from the McMaster-Carr website which I consider to be quite accurate.
A 600 volt 10/4 SO cord is rated at 25 amps at 86 degrees F. This is the standard neoprene cord you would use for an extension cord, etc.
A 600 volt 10/4 cord designated 'harsh environment cable' is rated for 49 amps at 86 degrees. Granted, this isn't your typical extension cord duty cable but I'm amazed at the ampacity difference between the two that seems only related to how the wire group is gathered together and insulated and I guess how much heat that will produce.
For my particular project, which I have fused for 25 amps, I would love to use the harsh environment cable as the specs say I could get away with 14/4..yikes. Traditional cord would dictate 10/4 for 25 amps. There is no particular point to this post other than the fact that I'm amazed at the difference between these two types of wire.
Stuart
A 600 volt 10/4 SO cord is rated at 25 amps at 86 degrees F. This is the standard neoprene cord you would use for an extension cord, etc.
A 600 volt 10/4 cord designated 'harsh environment cable' is rated for 49 amps at 86 degrees. Granted, this isn't your typical extension cord duty cable but I'm amazed at the ampacity difference between the two that seems only related to how the wire group is gathered together and insulated and I guess how much heat that will produce.
For my particular project, which I have fused for 25 amps, I would love to use the harsh environment cable as the specs say I could get away with 14/4..yikes. Traditional cord would dictate 10/4 for 25 amps. There is no particular point to this post other than the fact that I'm amazed at the difference between these two types of wire.
Stuart