Running a Condenser Dryer off an Extension Cord

Mintchip on 30/05/2022 - 23:43

Looking for a sanity check because I’ve tried to do my research but I’m not an expert.

My dryer’s a condenser (not a heat pump), rated for 2000w. I don’t need much of an extension, maybe 2-3m max. What I’ve gathered, and please correct me if I’m wrong, is that it should be ok to run on a 10A heavy duty extension lead as long as it’s the only thing on that lead and I don’t exceed 2400w at the outlet.

However the dryer manual also says in the safety instructions: “The power wire shall be met IEC and must be able to withstand the following current: 16A”

Does that mean anything for what I’m trying to do?

Electrical & Electronics

Comments

  • Hybroid on 30/05/2022 - 23:49

    What's the rating on the extension cord?

  • outlander on 30/05/2022 - 23:50

    Not the best ever thing to do, but it should be fine. Dryers turn on and off, so it's not a constant 2000w.
    3M should be okay. Anything longer than 5M and I'd be using a power meter to check the end voltage, because voltage drop becomes a problem when you have a long cord and high power draw. But 95% you should be good.

    • Mintchip on 31/05/2022 - 08:51

      Thanks, I’d ask if there’s anything I could do to bump up that % but I suspect the answer is don’t use an extension cord haha

    • NuclearWessels on 31/05/2022 - 09:36

      Not my area of expertise at all so happy to be corrected but this sounds like it has to be wrong. A 3M cable is fine but 5m is not? How is that possible?

      Found this https://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html and at 240/10A the drop is negligbile even between 3m and 100m.

      Edit: Adjusted the gauge to match a household cord and it is signficant at 100m.. but not really signficant <50m

      • outlander on 31/05/2022 - 20:37

        Its all guesses and rules of thumb when we don't know the info. Extension cords are built differently, appliances have different tolerances, people have different house wiring configurations.. it all comes into play.

        What I can give you is the recent example that shapes my thinking. I hooked up a spare dryer that I had at my sisters house with a 10m extension cord. The voltage for the rest of the house was 242v. The voltage at the appliance when it was running at full power was 222v. So, the natural conclusion to draw is that 20v is being lost somewhere in the wiring between the meter and the socket the appliance plugs into.

        Now in my case, thats not much of an issue. The dryer in question isn't worth much so i dont care too much if it breaks, and like most things these days it was primarily designed for the EU market which runs at 220v, so it probably runs better on the cord than without it, but OP isnt me and her situation may be different.

        End of the day when I give advice to people with unknown variables I try to be conservative while still being helpful. Which is why I said use a power meter, which will give a definite answer, and are so cheap these days anyway.

        • NuclearWessels on 31/05/2022 - 20:58

          That issue isn't to do with the cord length - I see the same thing in my shed where I have a UPS hooked up to a few 3D printers. If I turn on a 2000W heat gun in the shed I'll see the voltage drop on the UPS (can go as low as 220 and the UPS actually kicks in to put it back up). Now the heat gun isn't connected to the UPS - there is no cord length between the two. It's just a voltage drop across the entire system as I'm pulling power.

          • outlander on 31/05/2022 - 22:33

            @NuclearWessels: I'm not quite sure what belief you're trying to convey, but it would appears to be an extension cord of any length or quality can be used on a 10amp load without problems, which I know to be not true. But I don't really think you believe that either.

            In your particular instance, if a 2kw load that drops the voltage that much it indicates the wiring going from your switchboard to your workshop is probably undersized. But with a UPS to protect anything delicate on the same circuit, its not really a concern.

            I definitely wouldn't recommend running a dryer plugged into a $2 store 50m extension lead of that circuit though

  • brendanm on 31/05/2022 - 06:50

    2000/240=8.333A

  • rektrading on 31/05/2022 - 07:42
    +1

    A thick and short one will do the job.

    Make sure it has the right rating to handle the load.

    • John Kimble on 31/05/2022 - 07:57
      +6

      ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

    • Mintchip on 31/05/2022 - 08:48
      +5

      👀
      Thanks for coming

      to my post

    • Flying Ace on 31/05/2022 - 10:37

      That's what she said

  • mskeggs on 31/05/2022 - 07:53

    You won’t find a normal cord rated to 16a (though there are 15a cords with a special plug for caravans).
    16a is almost double the current draw the wattage specifies, and if the device ever drew that much, wouldn’t be safe to use on any Aussie PowerPoint.
    Get a good quality normal lead, and you will be fine. Monitor it the first time (feel if the cord or plugs get warm) if you are unsure.

    • Mintchip on 31/05/2022 - 08:50

      Yeah that 16A really threw me off. Appreciate the response!

  • Drakesy on 31/05/2022 - 11:22

    Do take my hat off to you for checking though.
    It wouldn't of even crossed my mind.

  • JimmyF on 31/05/2022 - 12:05

    While they are all rated for 10amps, they might get a little warm for long usage periods. Buy something that says 'heavy duty' like this one

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-5m-heavy-duty-tradesman-exte…

    Its $12, so not going to break the bank.

    • Mintchip on 31/05/2022 - 13:14

      I did have my eye on that one. Thankyou!

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