Properly size your cables

[dre]

I know Will has said it many times, others have said it. But here is a perfect example why. 1st pic is a 16AWG 15ft extension card, next is 12AWG 10ft cord, load is the exact same, my PHEV which is currently drawing 110V at 8A. My example never got above 80F but will eventually wear out the cable. Been using it about a week, the other noticed it was warm to the touch when I want to unplug it one time, checked it that night with my camera saw those temps, got a replacement the next day.

 

[Deleted member 783]

Is 77 degrees high enough to cause concern? Thats the optimum temp for my batteries to exist at.

 

[dre]

That should be OK, what is shown is an extension cord that is heating up and 10+ degrees above surrounding air. This happens to be in a bedroom at night. Also that set up was at the higher end of recommended safe amperage, if it were further out of range the effect would be greater and could cause the cable to melt and fail.