| Jul 11, 2008 @ 12:48 AM |
Electrical cord question
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stormy73
Posts: 1,181
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I have some extension cords that are tangled. My question is... do tangled cords use more electricity, and if so, is it a LOT, or is the amount negligable?
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 12:56 AM |
Electrical cord question |
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signme
Posts: 12,588
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Not exactly sure what the question is. Are they all plugged in to outlets?
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 1:25 AM |
Electrical cord question
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kattsmeow
Posts: 22,629
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The answer is no.
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 1:25 AM |
Electrical cord question |
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beckyiv42000
Posts: 14,576
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If you are talking about if while in use do they use more electricity  .. not sure about that but an electrical cord of ANY kind has the possibility of being damaged and becoming a hazard when they are tangled or stored improperly ... the wire inside the cord is stretched in one way when it is made to make it packageable and when you try to CHANGE the natural flow of the wire ... time and again (bending it over and over )... it breaks the wire inside the casing ... just like a piece of bare wire ... you can break it by bending it over and over again .. and in the case of the electrical cord the broken wire is hidden by the outer casing ...
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 2:55 AM |
Electrical cord question
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Always_Striving
Posts: 8,794
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The answer to Stormy's question is - Yes.
Electricity (particularly electrons) flows like water in a river. So just like an obstacle in a river .... let's say a boulder causes resistance and disrupts the free flowing energy then so does heat in a conductor.
Electrical resistance causes heat in conductors (copper and aluminum are common materials, copper in the case of Stromy's extension cord). Electrical resistance is created due to many factors but some of the most common are.... the length of the conductor, how many bends/ curves/ loops are in the conductor, and the conductors ability to dissipate the heat off the surface of the conductor timely and relative to its radiation or conduction media (ambient air, insulation, heat sinks, etc...). Electrons happen to flow on the surface of the conductor not inside of it.
Heat is also created due to magnetism (coils or knots in wires and cables and also parallel conducting wires cross-transference). Heat causes wires and cables to be inefficient (power consuptive), and it causes the insulation surrounding the conductor (whether it is stranded or solid wire) to relax the molecules binding thermoplastic insulation (softening them enough to melt) which is often one of the leading causes of fires. Conductors-wires and cords should be sized and selected for the actually electrical load requirements and nothing more. Underwriters laboratory and Canadian Standards Association require that all appliances and luminaries (lamps/light bulbs) be appropriately labeled or have a nameplate describing the energy requirements to operate anything legally manufactured and tested in question. Electric cords should also have a capacity rating. This is how you will select an appropriate extension cord if you need too.
The National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) and contributing Electrical Engineers of the National Electrical Code (NEC) basically frown on the use of electric cords. They set up electrical construction standards for house and business wiring methods in an effort to eliminate extention cords which could possibly be used in a situation.
Stormy, since you are choosing to use a cord, it is strongly advisable that it be in perfect condition and appropriately sized for the electrical demands. It should not be put into a situation where something like a ladder or chair leg is pinching down on it (which is where heat, breakdown and electrical shorting occur). It should not be bunched up or coiled while it is conducting electricity.
Last tidbit of info.
When you have heat associated with electricity you will have power consumption in the form of wattage or horsepower measurement. Check your electric meter.
[Edited on 7/11/2008 3:01 AM]
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 4:59 AM |
Electrical cord question |
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horizon000
Posts: 1,264
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^^^^^^^^ Very Wise Words.... Tangled cords generate heat and pose a fire hazzard. Gey rid of them if you can. Good post Striving.
Los Angeles Firefighters battle a fire, sparked by a faulty electrical extension cord, that destroyed a garage shed and damaged one home in Panorama City, California on May 30, 2007.
[Edited on 7/11/2008 5:07 AM]
[Edited on 7/11/2008 5:08 AM]
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 6:48 AM |
Electrical cord question
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adrian555
Posts: 1,622
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From a sparky.
If they are pig tails? (Am I in danger if my bedsheets, or undies catch fire?---- Well , yes.)
Tangled = no.
The inductive field is low , especially on your your low voltage.
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| Jul 11, 2008 @ 9:05 AM |
Electrical cord question |
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lj450
Posts: 9,551
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I have seen electrical cords melt against themselves from being wrapped or tangled. They definitely get hotter like that.
I guess it would depend on what you were running with it.
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| Jul 14, 2008 @ 3:45 PM |
Electrical cord question
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grumblebear
Posts: 10,559
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common sense is if it is a cord being used properly, as rated, and taken care of, things are ok...
but people seem to find ways to hurt themselves
running 42 appliances off of one cord? not good
hiding cords under rugs? bad idea... damage can occur and not be seen
home repairs to cords? usually not a good idea....
"If you try to make something Foolproof, a fool will prove you wrong, every time"
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