extension cable?

i have a problem rather than repair and nowhere else to turn to.

I need power extension cable 58mt will this cause too much power drop to run hedge cutter.?
many thanks

BobUK

May 2020

The longest extension cable I can find is 50m. Dependent on make and spec, expect to pay about £50-100. You could 'roll your own' to get the length but buying a 100m reel of suitably rated cable, plus a plug and trailing socket, would be over £60, plus you'd need something to wind it onto, as 7 or 8 kg of cable is a pain to lug around.

Assuming your hedge isn't too huge, just far away, a cheap cordless trimmer would be a lot less faff. Maybe a few birthday pressie hints?

There's nothing like a nicely trimmed bush.

June 2020

I'm a pensioner too. The 'how to work it out' bit I posted is just sums. The techie bit us all taken care of.

Did that help?

June 2020

Thanks all, but my knowledge of Electrics are I know it hurts and can kill if I touch the red/brown conductor.
Battery ones are out I can't afford them on State pension. I am now exercising to return to manual units. Shears, broom, collection bag and third had scoop's I have the barrow and sheers, got to get new broom
Thanks again and stay safe.

bobuk

June 2020

Yeah, it'll be fine.
Try to find a 60m extension reel rather than joining two shorter ones together. Also remember that you get a petrol trimmer for less than £100 which will be a lot less bother than worrying about breaking Ohm's Law ;-)

Rupert

June 2020

Why not answer your own question by going back to basic physics that you should have covered in 4th or 5th form.

Assume your trimmer is rated at 500 Watts. At 240 Volts, that's 500/240 = about 2.08 Amps.

What voltage drop will be caused by the cable?

Let's assume you've chosen a weedy mains extension cable and that it has a conductor of - say - 0.75 sq mm

A quick Internet search suggests a resistance for 0.75 sq mm copper cable of 26 Ohms per 1000 m ( FYI, a 0.5 sq mm cable has a resistance of 40 Ohms per 1000m)

Your cable proposed is 58m, which is two conductors of 58m, or a total length of 116m. Call it 100 m.
.
Resistance is therefore 116 * 26/1000 = 3.01 Ohms

Voltage drop is current X resistance, so 2.08 A X 3.01 Ohms gives a voltage drop of 6.26 Volts. Scarcely worth getting out of bed for.

Power dissipation in the cable is Volts X Amps (or Current squared X resistance). So 2.08 A X 6.26 Volts = 13.02 Watts.

Think how warm a 15 Watt light bulb can get and you'll understand why makers of extension leads warn you not to leave them tightly coiled. Unwrapping the cable gives the heat a chance to dissipate.

If your trimmer is rated at 750 watts, just increase the volt drop and power dissipation by 50% (Or do the sums for fun)

Did that help?

May 2020

Unlikely. However, before splashing out on decent heavy duty extension cable, an earth leagage protected plug, would a cordless trimmer and a couple of batteries be a lot more convenient?

Dr hiiyfc

May 2020

Add An Answer Form

Add your answer using the form below ...

Other questions in this category - D.I.Y, Switches and Sockets

faulty sockets?

2 sockets in 2 seperate bedrooms have stopped working, when i switch the power on the breaker trips, i replaced the unit with a new one but get the same result...

Click here for the fix.
Repairing / joining TV aerial coax cable?

I want to extend an aerial cable to another room. The two parts are already in place. How do I join them?...

Click here for the fix.
Montana Mother and Child lamp?

How do I change fuse...

Click here for the repair.
Current leak?

This is also on DIY tools but thoough here too fore motoer electricians at a guess would be reading. Used in my garage/workshop Works sharp WS2000 USA import horizontal grinder/sharpener through Rutlands.co.uk.for UK market. circa 5yrs old not a great deal of use. See youtube video demo see ...

Click here for the fix.
How do I find the correct Wireless Bell Push?

I have 2 Wireless Bell Receivers(plug in type) but no Bell Push. I have no makers name only Type ST-885M & frequency 433.92MHz on the Receiver. Please can you help....

Click here for the fix.
No heating?

My thermostat is reading off how do iget it to work and get heating on I haver hot water...

Click here for how to mend it.
Can I cut an outside t.v. ariel without getting a shock?

My very old t.v. ariel has been taken down so that it can be thrown out. The wire that comes through the brick wall is still attached to the ariel. Is it safe to simply cut through this wire, without having a shock ?...

Click here for how to mend it.
belle mixer won't turn off?

i got this belle mixer at an auction cheap, it works fine and the switch is ok but it won't switch off, it looks like someone has by- passed the capacitor? but not sure...

Click here for how to mend it.

			Ask for free help
:: home :: add a question :: search		:: help :: most recent :: unanswered
	Search: Go

extension cable?

i have a problem rather than repair and nowhere else to turn to. I need power extension cable 58mt will this cause too much power drop to run hedge cutter.? many thanks

i have a problem rather than repair and nowhere else to turn to.

I need power extension cable 58mt will this cause too much power drop to run hedge cutter.?
many thanks