Extension and power cord safety

Hey All-

I need a hand making sure my set up is safe.

I need to use extensions cords in my basement to get to my power outlets. I’m reading power strips cannot safely be used with an extension cable. Is this true across the board regardless of power draw? I have my 330w led and my dehumidifier going to their own dedicated outlet via the appropriate guage extension cord, but I could really use a power strip by the tent for fans, seedling mats etc. (low power stuff). Are any of the extension cords with multiple outlets considered safe for such smaller power equipment?

Really appreciate anyone’s help. My grow is very small with just a single light for flower and single light for veg, just need to be sure I am running power as safely as possible. Thanks so much.

I think you'll find plenty of people using extension cords and strips. Since you're inside, I'm assuming your runs aren't terribly long. But even so, I've used extensions/strips for years in different situations without a problem. In the end your house is full of 'extension cords' made of romex that move power from your breaker box to your outlets. They even make strips with 10, 12, 20 foot cables on them.

25’ at most. If I can run 1 25’ properly grounded extension cord with a power strip for the fans and other small stuff I’m golden.

Jcue81 said:

25’ at most. If I can run 1 25’ properly grounded extension cord with a power strip for the fans and other small stuff I’m golden.

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yes!

Jcue81 said:

25’ at most. If I can run 1 25’ properly grounded extension cord with a power strip for the fans and other small stuff I’m golden.

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I don't think you have to feel bad about this. It's not that long of a run. Also if you're at basement level are you plugging into a GFI? I know that the basement outlet I'm using has one. That's extra protection. Make sure you're using a nice hefty gauge extension cord and make sure you're keeping that and the strip (with fuse or interrupter onboard) off the ground if there's chance of water in your tent, etc.

IMO - It's OK to plug a power bar into an extension cord, plugging extension cords into a power bar...not so OK.

Have fun

Jcue81 said:

Hey All-

I need a hand making sure my set up is safe.

I need to use extensions cords in my basement to get to my power outlets. I’m reading power strips cannot safely be used with an extension cable. Is this true across the board regardless of power draw? I have my 330w led and my dehumidifier going to their own dedicated outlet via the appropriate guage extension cord, but I could really use a power strip by the tent for fans, seedling mats etc. (low power stuff). Are any of the extension cords with multiple outlets considered safe for such smaller power equipment?

Really appreciate anyone’s help. My grow is very small with just a single light for flower and single light for veg, just need to be sure I am running power as safely as possible. Thanks so much.

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No Problem: but keep the power above your waist and the water if used, below

after an hours use run around and feel for any excess heat at the joins, if so reduce the load

you live longer

good luck

Your main extension cord should be 14 ga at least.

This might be obvious, but make sure the outlet you run to is on a different circuit breaker than the one your lights are on.

I was going to chime in with get the highest gauge cords you can (smaller #'s are better for gauges) for an extra degree of safety.

Jcue81 said:

25’ at most. If I can run 1 25’ properly grounded extension cord with a power strip for the fans and other small stuff I’m golden.

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You will be fine
Their are better power surge protector then cheap ones if worried about surge..

I've used cords for over a year no problems, I did however buy a contractor power strip for the extra space for my timer. I have my whole tent on it. Just don't buy super cheap stuff. If your still cautious inspect ur cords plugs weekly, smoke detector, and get a fire extinguisher for price of mind.

Many people have ungrounded outlets in their older houses. So you are left with either a grounded outlet with no protection or those stupid adapters that fit loose and still doesn't ground.

You can put in a GCFI outlet and get the grounded plug format while still getting protection from loose electrons. Much better than just a grounded outlet.

Jcue81 said:

Hey All-

I need a hand making sure my set up is safe.

I need to use extensions cords in my basement to get to my power outlets. I’m reading power strips cannot safely be used with an extension cable. Is this true across the board regardless of power draw? I have my 330w led and my dehumidifier going to their own dedicated outlet via the appropriate guage extension cord, but I could really use a power strip by the tent for fans, seedling mats etc. (low power stuff). Are any of the extension cords with multiple outlets considered safe for such smaller power equipment?

Really appreciate anyone’s help. My grow is very small with just a single light for flower and single light for veg, just need to be sure I am running power as safely as possible. Thanks so much.

Click to expand...

If it were me I’d just add some plugs. I don’t like nor do I condone the use of extension cords. Seen too many people set shit on fire.

vostok said:

after an hours use run around and feel for any excess heat at the joins, if so reduce the load.

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Sound advice. Every issue I've seen was a plug or outlet, not the cord or wire itself.

Do not hesitate to get an electrician to check out any potential problems with your present panel. Damned cheap compared to a fire.

1212ham said:

Sound advice. Every issue I've seen was a plug or outlet, not the cord or wire itself.

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Yeah, often times fires can also start because of loose outlets and the plug and socket making a good firm connection.

LeastExpectedGrower said:

Yeah, often times fires can also start because of loose outlets and the plug and socket making a good firm connection.

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Once or twice a year it's good to go through your electrical panel and tighten all connections. Every two years I go outlet to outlet and check them. Only ones I use though. Electricity vibrates even a bit and over time those screws will back out. Then breakers pop and then fire.

Lordhooha said:

Once or twice a year it's good to go through your electrical panel and tighten all connections. Every two years I go outlet to outlet and check them. Only ones I use though. Electricity vibrates even a bit and over time those screws will back out. Then breakers pop and then fire.

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I've lived in more than a few of those turn of the century two-family houses that either never got updated wiring or got electrical face-lifts with 3-prong grounded outlets that were not actually grounded. I also have both outlet wiring testers & voltage testers on hand (was part and parcel of my life as a touring musician to test outlets before plugging in my setup or any of the stage hardware)... That's a good basic start, but yes, always good to check all these points yourself, or have a qualified professional do it.

Over time the heating and cooling at the connections is another way the connections loosen..

Neither one of my grow setups uses more than 500w though so no big deal.

My set ups are usually a short 14 ga extension cord to the power meter through a GFCI outlet with a three way tap on the power meter output . All other cords are 16 ga. A short cord to a power strip to hang in the tent or room for continuous power; and another short cord to a timer that has still another short cord to a power strip hanging in the tent or room for timed power. In the tent it's a whole 130 watts right now. Flower room is around 400w.

You should have seen the 220/120v setup I had....... Don't worry I use to be an industrial electrician.