Ask Bob – December 2023

Bob Pierce headshot

Bob Pierce answers questions about energy efficiency, consumer products, and cooperative governance. He is Clearwater Power’s Chief Operating Officer and welcomes your questions on our Ask Bob page.

Can I string 2 100-foot extension cords together to run an electric heater in my pump house?

No. I don’t recommend operating an electric heater on an extension cord. I also don’t recommend stringing 2 100-foot extension cords together because of the voltage drop. And, never plug extension cords or electric heaters into a power strip.

A typical plug-in heater draws 1500 watts, which is 12.5 amps at 120 volts. Most cords and power strips are not rated for enough current to handle a heater like this. They can overheat and become a fire hazard.

Another danger of extension cords and heaters is a tripping hazard, especially with children or pets. Tripping on the cord can cause a fall or cause the heater to tip over and cause another fire hazard. Although modern heaters typically have tip-over protection that turns off the unit when it tips, the hot surfaces can still be a hazard.

Do:

  • Understand how much current your appliance draws.
  • Use the proper size cord—gauge and length—for the current required.
  • Use the shortest cord possible.

Don't:

  • Keep cords coiled while in use.
  • Use a cord with a broken or missing ground plug.
  • Use a frayed or broken cord.

When shopping for extension cords, look at the wire size in AWG, which stands for American Wire Gauge. The smaller the number, the bigger the wire. Extension cords usually range from 16 AWG, which should only be used for low-current applications, to 12 AWG. Clearwater Power sells 12 AWG cords in 25-, 50- and 100-foot lengths.

If you have questions about extension cords, call us at (208) 743-1501.

Remember these additional extension cord facts and safety tips:

  • Extension cords are not permanent solutions.
  • Frayed or damaged extension cords are dangerous and should never be used. Damage to the cord can expose wires and cause fire and shock hazards.
  • Power strips and surge suppressors do not provide more power to a location, only more access to the same limited capacity of the circuit into which they are connected.
  • When using a portable generator, make sure the extension cords used are rated for the load, are free of cuts or frays, and have three-pronged plugs.