I have a 14 Amp Ryobi miter saw. In the manual it has a table for required AWG by Cord Length and Amps. For 100’ and 12.1-16.0 Amps it just has a dash indicating there is no suitable AWG extension cable for this length and amp combination.

However, protoolreviews indicates 12 AWG is sufficient for 15 Amps and 100’, but 10 AWG would be safer. https://www.protoolreviews.com/extension-cord-size-chart-wire-gauge-amps/

Is protoolreviews correct and I can get away with a 10 AWG, 100’ extension cord for my 14 Amp tool just fine?

I know if something goes wrong it will likely be on me as Ryobi will point out I didn’t follow the manual.

  • @[email protected]English
    4•1 year ago

    Check your line voltage at your house. There is a lot of variance in house voltage. 110-125vac. Motors draw a minimum current and increases with load. your rating is for max load. So if you plan on a lot of deep cuts you might struggle. Smaller cuts will draw less.

    Long story short 10awg should be good.

    From southwire voltage calculator Results for Minumum Conductor Size Calculation 1 conductor per phase utilizing a 10 AWG copper conductor installed Cable, Conduit (non-Steel), & Direct Burial will limit the voltage drop to 2.45% or less when supplying 14 amps for 100 feet on a 120 volt single phase system.

    https://www.southwire.com/ca/en-ca/calculator-vdrop

    Nema motors are designed to work at the low range of 100v

    Nema quote

    An electric motor is electrically designed around the expected supply voltage with a tolerance. With NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) designs for small- and medium-voltage electric motors is +/- 10% voltage-maximum, with an allowable +/-5% frequency variation (ref.Jan 12, 2020

    https://theramreview.com/understanding-voltage-variations-and-electric-motors/#:~:text=An electric motor is electrically,5%25 frequency variation (ref.