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Anyone expert with appliances?
Blanka:
The cable from your fuse-cupboard to the wall socket is an extension cable in a way as well. I would not see why you need thick cables. If it is a grounded extension cable anything will do. Fridges don't use that much current anymore. Must be some fkkn German DIN law that demands those 'notes' in the manual. Get used to it. All American products will be designed against European productlaw. It is the toughest in the World.
CheffoJeffo:
--- Quote from: Blanka on June 24, 2008, 07:16:18 am ---I would not see why you need thick cables. If it is a grounded extension cable anything will do.
--- End quote ---
I haven't done electrical work in a long time now (so, some of my info may be out of date ... I'm old ...), but IIRC, I ran 12Ga for the 15A outlet circuits in the last house and a "standard" grounded extension cord is 18Ga. From my recollection of that round of circuit planning, a freezer will draw 10-14 Amps when the compressor kicks in, which is over the 10A rating of the 18Ga cord.
My numbers may be out of date, but having seen homes destroyed because somebody thought that "anything will do", I would lean towards a nice short 14Ga cord.
Maybe it is "more than you need", but it beats the hell out of the alternative.
And, Ray -- I use a 14Ga cord with my freezer.
Ed_McCarron:
--- Quote from: Blanka on June 24, 2008, 07:16:18 am ---The cable from your fuse-cupboard to the wall socket is an extension cable in a way as well. I would not see why you need thick cables. If it is a grounded extension cable anything will do. Fridges don't use that much current anymore. Must be some fkkn German DIN law that demands those 'notes' in the manual. Get used to it. All American products will be designed against European productlaw. It is the toughest in the World.
--- End quote ---
Yikes. The wiring in the wall is sized for the breaker (or, vice-versa).
15A requires #14 wire.
20A requires #12 wire.
Most current residential breakers are 20A.
Don't listen to anyone who says "a cord is a cord." Well, unless you're trying for a Darwin award. In that case, can I have your arcade stuff?
RayB:
I've realized I probably need to get the outlet on its own circuit breaker too, don't I? I noticed all my other appliances are. *sigh* no freezer for us for a while.
Ed_McCarron:
Its not a bad idea, but the freezer will really only pull current when the compressor kicks on. Plug it in. Worse case, you trip the breaker.
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