10 gauge is good to about 25 amps sometimes 30 depending on the wire
insulation, the 12 gauge will be good to about 20 amps. you never want to
push 14 gauge over maybe 12 amps. try to keep the wire at least 20 percent
heavier than you need if possible. Extension cords use strand wire because
it is more flexible. but it does not carry current as heavy as solid wire in
romex.



"Mark Wells" wrote in message
ink.net...
So I know I'm over-thinking, but this will give a chance for some of the
folks with electrical religion to let off some steam.

I have 3 machines that all need short (10 ft) extension cords:
* 1.5 HP dust collector
* 1 HP band saw
* 1 HP jointer
All run on 110 volts.

I've read everything from "don't ever use extension cords with woodworking
machines" to "14 gauge, 50 ft cord is fine."

The dust collector says that its max draw is 18 amps. I can't find any
extension cord, no matter what gauge, that says it is rated for more than
15 amps. That seems odd to me since an extension cord doesn't seem
fundamentally different than Romex to me.

Here's what I was thinking
* dust collector - 10 gauge, 10 foot extension cord
* band saw - 12 gauge, 10 foot extension cord
* jointer - 12 gauge, 10 foot extension cord

I was going to get 10 gauge for all of them, but the 10 is twice as much
as the 12 and I'm not convinced I need the extra weight.

Any thoughts?

Mark