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Long runs of power cord for equipment

7/15/16       
Kevin

I am relocating my shop and the new layout will put the equipment farther away from the wall than before. I was planning on running the power cords up the dust collection pipes and back to the wall, but this will mean around 40' of cord at the longest run. Does this affect machine performance? The current cords are 10 guage, all equipment is 230v three phase. Hope this makes sense.

7/15/16       #2: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
Brad Member

I don't know about everyone else, but for safety and insurance reasons I would definitely contract a licensed electrician.

7/15/16       #3: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
Kevin

The work will be done by an electrician, and I was told fifty feet was about the longest run I should make, but he wasn't positive. Just wanted to get some input here as well.

7/15/16       #4: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
David R Sochar Member

I have always had electricians run wiring in conduit to each machine area. Then we would have a large plug and receptacle with a flexible hookup to the machine.

This accomplished two things: We had a visible, easy disconnect so any operator could be sure the machine was not energized, and The machine could be moved for unusual shapes, etc. This was all 3 phase, with a few single phase machines.

We did not have code inspections, but we did have fire department and insurance inspections, and they liked what we had. The cord and plug were much cheaper than a disconnect box. As I recall, the cord (from conduit/receptacle to machine) could not be more than 16' long. We ran the conduit along the ceiling, and had flexible drops with the receptacle at 5' off the ground where machines were not near/against a wall.

As we added larger equipment, it was hard wired in and had its own disconnects built in. We spent over 90K for electrical in 10 years, but it was all perfect and safe, never had a problem.


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7/15/16       #5: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
Brad Member

Kevin,

Check out the calculator - This might help give you an idea... (See link)

Electrical Wire & Cable Size Calculator

7/15/16       #6: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
rich c.

You're going to have to re-ask that question with a list of horsepower ratings of all the motors. Zoning restrictions in different cities, so conduit may be require by law.

7/15/16       #7: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
rich c.

You're going to have to re-ask that question with a list of horsepower ratings of all the motors. Zoning restrictions in different cities, so conduit may be require by law.

7/15/16       #8: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
JeffD

There's no simple answer to your question. Rich is close though, you'll need to know not necessarily hp but amperage requirements of your motors. A 40' run of 10 gauge cable is fine for a 15 amp motor, but may be pushing it for a 25 amp(?), and probably too long for anything larger than that?

I'm not sure about codes but personally I want a way to shut off power to the machine at the machine. Whether a disconnect or plug. What your describing sounds like a plug or disconnect 40 feet away from the machine, which sure seems like would not be to code....but that's something you'll have to check locally. Even if it is to code I'd really question the safety of not having a way to cut power at the machine.

good luck,
JeffD

7/16/16       #9: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
David R Sochar

Code and common sense say that an operator standing in the operators normal position must be able to clearly see the disconnect device. There is also a distance maximum that I do not recall.

7/16/16       #10: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
Bob

The distance from the circuit panel and the amperage of the motor will determine the size of wire that is necessary. If a machine has 40 ft of cord and the receptacle is 30 ft from the circuit panel, you have a total of 70 ft. Use the link provided by Brad and you can figure the size of wire needed the entire length. Keep in mind that the plug is only a connector. You need the same size wire from the circuit box all the way to the machine.

7/17/16       #11: Long runs of power cord for equipme ...
Kevin

Thanks to all who replied. Lots of really good info.


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