what does it mean again if an extension cord plug gets warm?

[grasswire]

We had a thread several months ago about something like this. I have a small newish heater plugged in to a standard extension cord. Just unplugged it, and the cord where the plugins are is quite warm.

What's that mean, exactly?

[grasswire]

1. oh, and when I use the extension cord for the blow dryer...

...it does not get hot.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

2. DANGER! DO NOT USE THAT EXTENSION CORD!

This means that the extension cord cannot carry the load of the heater. The wires are not big enough. Get a thicker extension cord or you could eventually have a fire on your hands.

Look at the numbers of amps the cord is rated for, or the watts. The heater puts out a lot of watts. The heater may have the amps listed.

Would an electrician or electrical engineer give this person the details???

DANGEROUS.

[lildreamer316]

3. STRONGLY SECONDED.

Just to make sure, go get the orange drop cord ones. They are strong enough for power tools, so they are def. strong enough for the heater.

[Omphaloskepsis]

5. My BIL is a licensed electrician in Oregon...

I just asked him and he said to to unplug the damn thing ASAP. He said that if you can't carry the load from a space heater you need to have things looked at by a real electrician. Something is wrong with the wiring of where you live. And yeah, it is a amp thing. But a breaker or fuse should trigger before things get hot.

[Lasher]

9. I don't think there's a problem in the house wiring, just the extension cord

They just need an extension cord that can stand more of a load.

[SPKrazy]

12. that would be my thought

a heavy duty extension cord if yours is getting hot

:hi:

[grasswire]

11. thanks for the news

It's a very small heater -- the kind you put by your feet to keep the tootsies warm. But I hear ya. I was very surprised to feel the heat because, as I said, that doesn't happen when a blow dryer is plugged into the same cord. We're only using the heater because the thermostat on the upstairs furnace is acting up and that damned east wind is cold this weekend! I'll get an orange cord from the basement for it, though.

Thanks again.

[Richard Steele]

6. Exactly correct- unplug that thing RIGHT FUCKING NOW!

The heater is pulling more amps than the cord can safely carry-
that's how home fires start.

You need a thicker extension cord. Better yet, no extension cord at all-
high-amp items like heaters are best plugged directly into the wall.

[tkmorris]

10. Perragrande is right

The heat essentially means that the cord cannot carry sufficiently the amount of current that the heater is asking for. It will do it anyway of course, but the result is the excess heat you feel coming from the cord. Eventually that heat will break down the insulation around the wiring, resulting in even more heat build-up and potentially a fire.

Extension cords have amperage ratings, though they are often not obvious. You should ALWAYS make sure that the cord used is enough to handle the job, by comparing it's rating to the current draw of the item being plugged into it. If more than one item is plugged into it the amps from each device should be added together to determine the total capacity needed.

Oh and on a related note everyone should unplug those ac/dc converter plugs they have when not in use. You know the ones, the cords that don't have a normal plug for the wall but rather a big boxy looking thing with prongs on it. Those things waste more energy........

[ashling]

4. When I first looked at your screenname

I thought it said grassfire ... that's what you'll have if you keep using that extension cord.
:rofl:

[many a good man]

7. It Snot a problem at all

Hot is OK. Its the nezt stage you hafta watch out fer. Kaboom! No Kaboom, no problem!

[JVS]

8. Is bad!