Full Answer
What kind of extension cord to use for a freezer?
Using Extension Cord with Chest Freezer
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Can you use an extension cord with a freezer?
Using an extension cord could cause a voltage drop. This can cause damage to the motor. These are technical reasons why you should not use an extension cord on your freezer. It would be safer to install an outlet for the freezer in the location where you want it so that you do not need an extension cord.
What is the procedure in making an extension cord?
Steps in making extension cord
- Electrical cord Wire cutters Male electric plug Screw driver Female electric plug
- 1. Separate one end of electrical wire to about 10 centimeters each.
- 2. Peel off the skin or insulator of the wire ends by 2 centimeters.
- 3. Loosen the screw of the male electric plug. ...
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- 5. ...
- 6. ...
Is it safe to use an extension cord?
Using extension cords properly is critical to your safety. With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard. The Electrical Safety Foundation International (ESFI) offers the following tips for staying safe from electric shock and electrical fires:
What is gauge on extension cord?
The gauge refers to the thickness of the cord’s copper wires. The thin wires of the extension cord can’t handle a high load of electricity – this can make the cord overheat and cause a fire. You should remember too that refrigerators are always turned on 24/7, giving the extension cord no rest period. To ensure safety, you should plug your ...
Why does my refrigerator have a voltage drop?
These two factors cause a voltage drop along the way. This voltage drop will reduce the efficiency of the refrigerator’s compressor and will eventually damage it .
What is the third pin on a refrigerator?
The refrigerator comes with a three-prong grounded plug, hence you should also buy a grounded extension cord. The third pin is known as the grounding pin. Do not remove this as this is for your own safety; in case of a malfunction in the electronics, the grounding pin delivers the excess electricity to the ground – rendering it harmless.
Can a fridge wire be damaged?
Since the wires are out in the open, it can be easily damaged compared to the permanent house wiring hidden in the walls. The wires can be torn (look out for the fridge’s wheels!), its sockets are prone to liquid spillage, it can also be damaged in some way if something heavy falls on it.
Do you need a grounded house socket for a refrigerator?
To ensure safety, you should plug your refrigerator in a grounded house socket. Before buying a refrigerator, you should check the area where you want to put it if it has that kind of socket. FURTHER READING: A Visual Guide On Where To Place Your Refrigerator.
Type of Plug
If your appliance has a three-pronged grounded plug, you can use an extension cord with it. However, if it only has two slots for prongs on the end of the plug, you cannot use one.
What kind of refrigerator do I own?
The plugs should be easy enough to tell just by looking at the appliance itself; there shouldn’t need to be any guesswork involved! Once you know what type they’re using (either two or three prongs), go ahead and check out the next section for more information on what you can do.
Is it a two or three-prong plug?
If your appliance has a plug with only two slots to hold the wires, it cannot be plugged in using an extension cord. This is because devices with this type of connector are not grounded and will be more likely to experience power surges if they’re plugged into ungrounded extension cords without proper grounding built-in.
Do I need Grounding?
There’s one exception where you don’t necessarily need ground wiring: when there’s no metal housing around these types of plugs (such as double insulation). If the plug isn’t grounded but has no metal casing, it should still work with a grounded extension cord.
What can I use for an Extension Cord?
So, the question is, can you use an extension cord with a refrigerator? You can purchase two-wire cords with plugs that accept appliances, like hairdryers and electric razors. Plug these cables into the appliance’s power outlet and plug the other end into a wall receptacle or power strip with ground wiring built-in.
What to Do? Can you use an extension cord with a refrigerator?
If your fridge doesn’t have ground attachment points on its plug (you’ll notice this because there won’t be any green coloring like other plugs), then make sure you’re using grounded extension cords when running wires through floors or walls that are not solidly grounded themselves; if doing so elsewhere, make sure that you are not using the cord in an area where it can contact any metal..
Plugging a refrigerator into an extension cord
Generally speaking, you can safely plug any appliance into an electrical extension cord when powering. However, it is not always the case for refrigerators.
Things to consider before buying an extension cord for a refrigerator
Sometimes it is necessary to use an electrical extension cord despite it causing a potential fire hazard. So, if you have no other choice, but to use one, buy the right kind of cord that will support your fridge.
Safety measures for plugging an extension cord to a refrigerator
Generally, the most pressing problem with using an electrical extension is using the wrong kind of cord to power your refrigerator.
Final thoughts
So, can you plug a refrigerator into an extension cord? Yes. Even though plugging your refrigerator directly to the wall outlet is the safest option, sometimes you have no choice but to use an extension cord. So, be careful when choosing the extension cord as some of them can be harmful.
Red Green
Just get an AC extension cord. Not sure if this is in a garage or basement but they come in short lengths and have flat wire and 90 degree male ends which would help neaten things up if that's desired.
Kevin Ricks
Long and/or small gauge extension cords will have more resistance which will lower the voltage. Lower voltage will increase the current and overheat the compressor motor and over time cause a premature failure. Fire is a possibility but MC is probably more worried about a warranty return. Kevin
Phisherman
Install another outlet. Extension cords are intended for temporary use only.
Uncle Monster
The only thing I would worry about would be the ends of the cords getting wet and corroding. A lot of freezers are in places that may get wet like a garage or basement. I would strap the extension cord to the wall to keep the plug and socket off the floor.
aemeijers
places. If the area is damp, I would run another outlet. If pretty isn't
Uncle Monster
I've run a lot of Wiremold in both metal and plastic. I prefer the metal for power because most of what I do is commercial. The homeowner could put a plastic Wiremold box extension over the existing outlet box and run Romex inside the plastic channel to a surface mount receptacle box and have a neat installation.
Stormin Mormon
On 6/23/2015 1:55 PM, Tony Hwang wrote: > Ohm's law is very simple to understand. If you used extension cord of > proper size (capacity to carry the current without too much voltage drop) > There shouldn't be a problem.
SD44 New Member
We bought a new upright freezer. With where we're wanting to put it, we need to use an extension cord. The maintenance man who works at my wife's workplace told her that using an extension cord for our freezer would mess up the motor.
jimbo Plumber
The point is this: the freezer is a large current draw when the compressor starts and runs. The typical cord you might use is too small gauge. It would cause voltage drop....bad for the motor; and might get hot....bad for your insurance policy.
SD44 New Member
The point is this: the freezer is a large current draw when the compressor starts and runs. The typical cord you might use is too small gauge. It would cause voltage drop....bad for the motor; and might get hot....bad for your insurance policy.
Cookie
Maybe it would be better to find a new place to put it rather than take a risk. I found out you can't have everything you want in life, sometimes, just as good as it gets; but, it sure beats the heck out of a fire. I wouldn't run a freezer on an extension cord. Period. One never knows.
Squ1rrel New Member
Also, Bear in mind it may void your warranty. Alot of appliance manufacturers refuse to cover any appliance that is not plugged directly into the socket. Make sure to check the manual or contact the manufacturer on that issue.
Chris75 Electrician
The biggest problem is that the extension cord will eventually break down, and could possible start a fire, I would much rather see you install a new receptacle near the freezer than run a cord.
Cookie
That is the perfect solution! It is so much safer. Amazing, I would not had thought of it, lol. I would had been moving that freezer around, until it hit the curb. I vote on this one, new outlet, you must be a genius,
What is a 10 gauge extension cord?
Extension cords with a lower gauge number—like 10 or 12 gauges—are considered heavy-duty cords because they have a higher capacity to deliver power. Since the 10-gauge cord is an extra heavy-duty extension, it makes the best choice for big power loads like a refrigerator. Advertisement.
Why do plugs have three prongs?
The plug type matters because plugs with three prongs are grounded, which means they are designed to minimize the risk of electric shock or fire. The amperage rating refers to how many amps of current an extension cord is designed to handle.
Is an extension cord longer or shorter?
Advertisement. The length of an extension cord is another important consideration, and shorter is usually best for appliances that require a lot of energy. Some manufacturers offer extension cords that are specially designed for their appliances.
Can you use an extension cord to power a refrigerator?
The biggest concern with using an extension cord to power a refrigerator is using the wrong cord, which can lead to overheating of the cord, damage to the appliance and increased risk of fire or electric shock. Never try to plug a three-pronged appliance into an un-grounded extension cord. If you plan to use one cord to power two appliances, don't forget to add up the electrical needs of both appliances to make sure that the cord can handle the combined load of power.
