Looking for a 15A extension cord… a proper one with 2.5mm^2 core wire.
I was pointed to this: https://unimig.com.au/product/15a-heavy-duty-extension-lead/ ($59.95, 10m)
Thought I'd check Bunnings, the only 2.5mm one is 40m and $143.
Does anyone know of any that are better value (but still good quality) compared to the one at the UNIMIG site above?
A shorter lead - 3m to 5m - is no problem, in fact I'd prefer it.
plus $15 postage (Free pickup in QLD)
If it's got 15A plugs (with the bigger earth pin) then it's legally mandated to have 2.5mm2 conductors as far as I'm aware
That's what I thought - but several of the other results are listed as 1.5mm2. However I've just found another curveball where for some (if you look at the detailed specs) it says 3x 1.5mm2, which technically would be superior… hmm.
Think it should be 2.5mm2 per conductor, not total. Have you got the link handy for the lower-spec ones? I'd be very interested to see them
There were a few, but I think this was the one I was looking at: https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-15a-3-core-1-5mm-extra-heavy…
I think you will find that's 1.5mm2 for active, 1.5mm2 for neutral, and 1.5mm2 for earth, not 4.5mm2.
If it's got 15A plugs (with the bigger earth pin) then it's legally mandated to have 2.5mm2 conductors as far as I'm aware
Nope. Lots don't have 2.5mm2 and even say so on the packet. Like this one
https://www.bunnings.com.au/hpm-15a-3-core-1-5mm-extra-heavy…
3 x 1.5mm² flexible extra heavy duty cable
I laugh at this claim
Extra heavy duty 15A cable is designed to withstand the most rugged applications. Heavier gauge conductors reduce voltage drop
Cool, let me draw 15 amps over it for a few hours and see what happens!
My experience with 'generic' extensions is most of the 'thickness is taken up by the outer rubber casing, and has no indication of what lies beneath. I would try sparky direct or sites similar and but a proper rated ext lead with a name brand.
Try Total Tools
or
https://sydneytools.com.au/product/unimig-u51008-20m-25mm-15…
Make your own, 15 amp male and female end, whatever length of wire you need, in whatever spec you want.
I did this for EV charging with the granny charger that does 10/15a….. I made a naughty one using 2.5mm cables, but 10 amp plug one end, 15 amp the other end.
This way I only have to carry one extension lead around that I can use for 10 amp charging or 15 amp charging.
and no I don't use it to draw more than what the socket is rated for.
I made up a naughty one for my welder as well 👌
https://www.electrotraders.com.au/industrial-extension-leads…
I bought a 4mm core single phase cable x 15m and 1 set of 10amp and 15amp male n female plugs.
I guess i'm paying for the quality of the cables.
Thanks, yes we're all aware Google exists.
That's actually Goole, the more modern search engine
1.5mm2 easily good for 15A. What's the problem was
What is this cord to be used for?
fyi I was charging my batteries with 2 regular 10a cords, one 25m the other 15m to go from mains to my 2400w charger which I was limiting to 2000w. I had problems with blackening of the pins/internal wires and the actual plug and socket fusing together. I don't know what the internal wire thinckness of them was but clearly it was still to much resistence so 2.5mm2 is the absolute safe minimum unless the distance is much shorter. And yes as others have said 1.5mm2 is used sometimes even if the cord is labeled 15A and "extra heavy duty".
4m one here for $20