what plug to use with 10AWG cord?

[hooohaa2]

I am purchasing some 10/3 rubber cord to make a 130' extension for my HH140 and other tools. I think I will use a grounded metal box on the receptacle end with two 20A duplex receptacles, but the plug end has me wondering. All the 10A plugs I have found (at Lowes at least) have had 12AWG as the size limit for wire. What plug do I use (that will stand up to abuse) that will work with 10AWG stranded?

[TOMWELDS]

If you are using #10awg on a 20 amp plug, one trick we use is to twist The stripped end "backwards" (counter-clockwise) and it shouldnt slide out from under the screw head.

[hankj]

The welder requires 20 amps. Don't use a 10 amp plug. If you installed 20 amp recep's, why would you use a 10 amp plug, anyway?

Hank

[hooohaa2]

sorry, not 10A but 15A. I didn't realize it required 20A, I have been using it on 15A circuits ever since I bought it, and it comes with a 15A plug on the end of the cord - very strange.


I would run 20A duplex receptacles with a 15A plug because a 15A plug will fit in 15A and 20A receptacles (talking about residential with the -! ! configuration). So I have more versatility.

Tom, I am using the 10AWG on a 15A plug, I am just looking for a plug that has large enough terminal clamps to hold 10AWG. The 20A receptacles will be no problem, I will buy the kind with the back-wire clamps, no wrapping wire around screws.

[Zrexxer]

The 20A receptacles will be no problem, I will buy the kind with the back-wire clamps, no wrapping wire around screws.

Think long and hard about using back-wired receptacles, and then decide against it. That's a really bad idea... your connections should be made with properly tightened screw terminals.

[TOMWELDS]

I would never use a "backwire" receptacle. Ive seen dozens burn out from A/C's and heavy loads..

[hankj]

No sweat guys. There are no "backstabs" that'll take #10. #12 max. They oughtta be outlawed! At the very least, the ability to daisy-chain through the backstabs should be eliminated.

Hoohaa2,

Your plug is a 15A. It's fine. Code permits it due to the duty cycle. At top end, your welder draws about 19A on a 120V circuit (rated at 20A/115V). It WILL trip a 15ampp breaker runningat top end at the duty cycle specs. In fact, it'll trip a 20A breaker if your cord is too long...

Hank

[Sberry]

A backwired recept is different than a backstab.

[TOMWELDS]

We pigtail all our receptacle connections. Also "twist" the wires before you put the wirenut on..best connection (except solder)...lol

[hooohaa2]

By "backwired" I mean it has two plates, the wire goes in the middle, then a screw is tightened to press the plates together and secure the wire. I am not talking about the receptacles where you press the wire through a little hole in the back and it catches, I don't use those either, if you want to rewire it you can't remove the wire (I am using extension cord anyways - stranded wire wouldn't go into those backstabs to easily if you know what I mean). I don't see how two plates securing a wire is any worse than wrapping the wire around the screw and tightening.

Also, these backwired receptacles have the exact same terminals as all the plugs I have seen at Lowes. If it is ok for one end I don't see how it is somehow different at the other end.

To ask the question again, where do I find a plug (the male end) that will take 10 AWG? I looked through the catalogs at Lowes (where I work) and didn't find any 15A plugs for 10AWG.

[hankj]

Lo siento mucho, Hombres. (I'm sorry a bunch, guys). "Back" to me is a bad word in E=I/R, but I'm just an illietrate old fool........

It seems that everyone concerned knows how to do what's right, so I'm gonna grab the Wife and plug in a movie.....

Hank

[TOMWELDS]

It should fit into a 20amp plug. Use a 20amp recep. As long as its a twenty amp circuit. Look for a "hubbel" brand plug (little pricey).

[cope]

I am purchasing some 10/3 rubber cord to make a 130' extension for my HH140 and other tools. I think I will use a grounded metal box on the receptacle end with two 20A duplex receptacles, but the plug end has me wondering. All the 10A plugs I have found (at Lowes at least) have had 12AWG as the size limit for wire. What plug do I use (that will stand up to abuse) that will work with 10AWG stranded?

12/3 will give you 25 amps at 100', so why do you want the extra expense and weight of 10/3?

[daimon1054]

I bought 10/3 extension cord because it was on sale and cheap when I was looking. As to plugs I use a twist lock generator style, the ones that can be 220V or 110V. That way I can use the cord straight from the gen or in the shop (110V) and I can use it to power the camper if I need. The plug is 30 amp rated as are regular camper plugs so that is also an option.

[TOMWELDS]

12/3 will give you 25 amps at 100', so why do you want the extra expense and weight of 10/3?

Just curious...how did you calculate that?