Plugging computer into an extension cord.

[manifesto316]

Soon I'll be moving into a new apartment which doesn't have many outlets. Because of this I will have to use an extension cord for my computer. I have all of my components plugged into a CyberPower CP1000PFCLCD UPS and have the monitoring widget on my desktop and even while gaming it doesn't get above 300 watts or so. My question is: would it be okay to plug it into 25ft extension cord from Amazon (http://tinyurl.com/nktzz66)? Thanks for any help.

 

[swifty_morgan]

how many miles of wire do you think there are between the power station and your wall outlet?

 

[RealBeast]

That's a pretty small gauge for 25 feet. A 16AWG wire is rated for 5 amps at about 25 feet. If you assume a 10A current, you will have about a 2% voltage drop over 25 feet with a 16AWG cable.

 

[manifesto316]

how many miles of wire do you think there are between the power station and your wall outlet?

There is 1.6 miles between the apartment and the corporate building. I don't know how far from the substation it is, but I don't imagine it's a huge distance.

 

[manifesto316]

That's a pretty small gauge for 25 feet. A 16AWG wire is rated for 5 amps at about 25 feet. If you assume a 10A current, you will have about a 2% voltage drop over 25 feet with a 16AWG cable.

Would you just suggest getting larger gauge of wire then?

 

[RealBeast]

That's a pretty small gauge for 25 feet. A 16AWG wire is rated for 5 amps at about 25 feet. If you assume a 10A current, you will have about a 2% voltage drop over 25 feet with a 16AWG cable.

Would you just suggest getting larger gauge of wire then?

Yes, I would use at least a 16AWG at 25 feet to run a small hand drill, much less my computer equipment. THIS is the cable that I use to go to one NAS box on a large UPS. Perhaps slightly larger than necessary, at a 15A rating, but it's a cheap price to deliver the current with minimal voltage loss.

The cable from your power substation a mile away is about as big as your arm.

 

[manifesto316]

That's a pretty small gauge for 25 feet. A 16AWG wire is rated for 5 amps at about 25 feet. If you assume a 10A current, you will have about a 2% voltage drop over 25 feet with a 16AWG cable.

Would you just suggest getting larger gauge of wire then?

Yes, I would use at least a 16AWG at 25 feet to run a small hand drill, much less my computer equipment. THIS is the cable that I use to go to one NAS box on a large UPS. Perhaps slightly larger than necessary, at a 15A rating, but it's a cheap price to deliver the current with minimal voltage loss.

The cable from your power substation a mile away is about as big as your arm.

Thanks a lot. It's a bit more than I was hoping to spend, but it sure is cheaper than having a fire or something!

 

[RealBeast]

A fire is not a very likely risk, the problem is that you will be running a lower than satisfactory voltage much of the time.

 

[dish_moose]

The part you're not understanding is power from a sub-station is at very high voltage to minimize the losses as current flows through the conductors. There will be a transformer close to your apartment that will bring it back down to two phases at aprox 110v each. If you need 220 you connect between the two. At 110V current losses through wires become significant if the wire size is too small. I too would look for 16AWG for your extension cord - likely not going to be cheap but even if you don't need it for your computer later on down the road - great to have.
-Bruce
What is the min voltage your UPS can handle?

 

[manifesto316]

The part you're not understanding is power from a sub-station is at very high voltage to minimize the losses as current flows through the conductors. There will be a transformer close to your apartment that will bring it back down to two phases at aprox 110v each. If you need 220 you connect between the two. At 110V current losses through wires become significant if the wire size is too small. I too would look for 16AWG for your extension cord - likely not going to be cheap but even if you don't need it for your computer later on down the road - great to have.
-Bruce
What is the min voltage your UPS can handle?

Is this the correct information?
VA Rating
1000 VA
Watts
600 w
Output Voltage
120Vac +/- 5%

 

[dish_moose]

Does it give a min input voltage? That is the important voltage.
-Bruce

 

[manifesto316]

Does it give a min input voltage? That is the important voltage.
-Bruce

Yes, missed that part.
Input Voltage Range
90 - 140 V
Input Frequency
57-63 Hz

 

[dish_moose]

That is a pretty broad range. 1000VA is basically 1000W. If your wall outlet voltage is 110V then the extension cord should be able to carry 1000W/110V=9.09Amps. You can get away with using a "lighter" extension cord - 18 AWG but I would still recommend going with a 16 AWG cord. Like I said - it will not be a throw away item if you move.
-Bruce
Edit: Looking at the various prices - I would not go below 16AWG - 12-14 AWG are not that bad.

 

[manifesto316]

That is a pretty broad range. 1000VA is basically 1000W. If your wall outlet voltage is 110V then the extension cord should be able to carry 1000W/110V=9.09Amps. You can get away with using a "lighter" extension cord - 18 AWG but I would still recommend going with a 16 AWG cord. Like I said - it will not be a throw away item if you move.
-Bruce
Edit: Looking at the various prices - I would not go below 16AWG - 12-14 AWG are not that bad.

Thanks a lot. I will pick up that cord from Home Depot for sure.