1/4” OD Two Conductor Appliance Cord

[Tuhls]

I have a very old Singer hand vacuum that was rejuvenated approximately 55-years ago…at that time I wired it with a 25ft two conductor (no ground) ‘appliance cord’ that was gray with fine ribs. There are no markings but I removed the plug and stripped the two conductors, they strip as 16 gauge.
The cord currently, when stressed, shows lines, but doesn’t crack, the inside conductors seem to be in pretty good condition.
The problem I am running across is the outside diameter of the cable…what I currently have is a 1/4” outside diameter, I want the same as the vacuum has a spring strain relief that I wish to keep in use, it is limiting me to the 1/4” OD cord.
Can anybody tell me what I should be looking-for? Is this a fools errand?? is the cord i want a relic of the past???
Any information or source would be appreciated…thank you.

 

[Chuckster in NJ]

Check out:

Lead Cord with Plug 68" SPT-2, Singer #PC924

Guaranteed to fit Singer Sewing Machine Models: 1200-1, 127, 128, 185, 185CL, 185J, 201, 201-2, 223, 237, 239, 27, 327, 327K, 328, 329, 66, 66-6, 99, 99-13

www.sewingpartsonline.com

 

[Old tool guy]

Are there are imprints on your cord to show what type it is?

 

[T45]

This one might be worth a look:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Woods-20-ft-16-2-SVT-Small-Appliance-Extension-Cord-Gray-990547/301132573?source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&fp=ggl

spec sheet, most 2x16g options are ±5/16 diameter but there is one spec that is ~ 1/4 inch

 

[mm08822]

Are you looking for an exact replacement to preserve the age/date of the sewing machine or just a good safe current day replacement?

 

[BillK]

I have a very old Singer hand vacuum that was rejuvenated approximately 55-years ago…at that time I wired it with a 25ft two conductor (no ground) ‘appliance cord’ that was gray with fine ribs. There are no markings but I removed the plug and stripped the two conductors, they strip as 16 gauge.
The cord currently, when stressed, shows lines, but doesn’t crack, the inside conductors seem to be in pretty good condition.
The problem I am running across is the outside diameter of the cable…what I currently have is a 1/4” outside diameter, I want the same as the vacuum has a spring strain relief that I wish to keep in use, it is limiting me to the 1/4” OD cord.
Can anybody tell me what I should be looking-for? Is this a fools errand?? is the cord i want a relic of the past???
Any information or source would be appreciated…thank you.

Where are you located ? I actually might have several new old stock ones.

 

[rlitman]

I have a very old Singer hand vacuum that was rejuvenated approximately 55-years ago…at that time I wired it with a 25ft two conductor (no ground) ‘appliance cord’ that was gray with fine ribs. There are no markings but I removed the plug and stripped the two conductors, they strip as 16 gauge.
...
Can anybody tell me what I should be looking-for? Is this a fools errand?? is the cord i want a relic of the past???
Any information or source would be appreciated…thank you.

Every time I throw out a vacuum, I have a habit of keeping the cords. Vacuum cords are NOT ordinary "S" cords, so let's start there.
S is for "service", which means it's a general purpose cord. That's most of what you find in catalogs, charts (like above) and stores, so I totally get why your search has been difficult. The problem is that S doesn't take you into the world of special purpose cords, and the stuff you find in stores will be UL listed as cordage, but not necessarily designed for your application. For example, heating appliances (irons, toasters, etc.) usually have HPN cord.

Vacuum cords are designed with higher flexibility and tensile strength (because they get pulled a lot, especially around corners), which is why they have the rope strand reinforcement. They're also usually 17 AWG. You may find an SVT cord that comes close to this, but so far as I'm aware, unless you're a vacuum manufacturer testing your complete appliance in a UL lab, you may not have access to the exact cord on your vacuum, which is why it isn't marked.

 

[cgrutt]

18/3 svt may work if you can utilize the ground.

One example here shows quarter inch (+/-) outside diameter of jacket.

https://www.stayonline.com/power-cords/300-volt-svt-cord-s7186a.asp

Note good for up to 10A at 50'.

 

[Old tool guy]

Every time I throw out a vacuum, I have a habit of keeping the cords. Vacuum cords are NOT ordinary "S" cords, so let's start there.
S is for "service", which means it's a general purpose cord. That's most of what you find in catalogs, charts (like above) and stores, so I totally get why your search has been difficult. The problem is that S doesn't take you into the world of special purpose cords, and the stuff you find in stores will be UL listed as cordage, but not necessarily designed for your application. For example, heating appliances (irons, toasters, etc.) usually have HPN cord.

Vacuum cords are designed with higher flexibility and tensile strength (because they get pulled a lot, especially around corners), which is why they have the rope strand reinforcement. They're also usually 17 AWG. You may find an SVT cord that comes close to this, but so far as I'm aware, unless you're a vacuum manufacturer testing your complete appliance in a UL lab, you may not have access to the exact cord on your vacuum, which is why it isn't marked.

You forgot to add that there is a specific type of cord designed for vacuum cleaners, it will include “V” in the imprint.

 

[The Cobbler]

as above , Vacuum cord is it's own animal . I've seen vacuums at thrift stores cheap enough I would buy one for the cord if I couldn't find anything.

 

[Tuhls]

Thanks for all of the input…the cord presently attached has no markings, it is just light gray with fine ribbing. I did the install in the early 1970s, I believe the cord came from a spool of Carol brand cable.
The appliance is a Singer hand vacuum cleaner, not a sewing machine, the unit was corroded somewhat, I remember taking it apart and cleaning it, new motor brushes everything seems to be made of aluminum or ‘white metal’ with a plastic handle…there are two pins where the data plate once was, it corroded away…
I want the cord to be 25 ft long as it is used as a stairs cleaner mainly, I can separate the conductors and take an amperage reading, if within range the 18-3 could work…thanks again for the info.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Have you been to the hardware store yet? I know my local store has a variety of cords available by the foot, what you describe sounds like something I've seen there.

 

[Tuhls]

I have not and should…all indications are that 16/2 SVT is what I need…responders here have led me to that conclusion.
one posted a Home Depot extension cord that other than being 20ft instead of 25ft is virtually a match.
thanks for your respinse.

 

[theoldwizard1]

SPT cord is commonly called "lamp cord" and is flat and uses PVC insulation (very stiff when cold). "-1" is the lightest duty, 20AWG(?). "-2" has thicker insulation and is usually 18AWG. There is a "-3" which I think is commonly 3 wire and either 16 or 18 AWG.

Round, light duty cord is typical SVT, also called "vacuum cleaner" cord (because that is where you will encounter it most often). It is more flexible than SPT. Commonly 18 AWG, but could be 16 AWG. 2 wire is most common, but 3 wire does exist.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

whatever you use make sure. if one terminal is bonded to the chassis, that you connect that to the wide blade (neutral) on a polarized plug. otherwise you could end up energizing the chassis creating a potential for shock.

prior to polarized plugs and double insulated equipment, people would get shocked (and electrocuted/killed) because the metal chassis on the equipment was bonded to one of the conductors and often times the plug was plugged into the receptacle the wrong way making the bonded conductor the hot conductor energizing the chassis.... its the reason why polarized plugs were invented....

 

[Tuhls]

thanks for that, wyliesdiesels, i was unaware that the possibility existed…

 

[walta]

My opinion early electrical devices are unsafe designs by today’s standards. Any single failure could easily result in someone getting shocked or worse. Upgrading to a 3 pronged plug with 3 wire cord that grounds the metal parts you are likely to touch is a huge improvement. Then it takes 2 faults to get shocked. The modern designs with 2 prong cords are double insulated, so the parts you touch are nonconductive or electrical isolated.

It would also be smart to use ground fault protection be it an outlet or a plug in GFCI device with or without a ground.

 

[BillK]

Thanks for all of the input…the cord presently attached has no markings, it is just light gray with fine ribbing. I did the install in the early 1970s,
I want the cord to be 25 ft long as it is used as a stairs cleaner mainly, I can separate the conductors and take an amperage reading, if within range the 18-3 could work…thanks again for the info.

t,
This is what I have. It is actually a vacuum cleaner cord, at least 30 years old but brand new. There was an appliance parts store in one of my warehouse units when I bought them and they left everything in there when they left. It is probably at least 25 ft long, I can check it Monday morning. Send me a PM with your address and I will send it your way.

 

[Tuhls]

Thank you very much for the generous offer, BillK, but reading walta’s post above and reading that these vacuums generally operated drawing 170watts, I may rewire it with 18-3 then locating a point on the metal portion to connect the ground.
Once again, thank you for your offer, you truly represent the spirit of this site in helping one-another with our projects!

 

[BillK]

Thank you very much for the generous offer, BillK, but reading walta’s post above and reading that these vacuums generally operated drawing 170watts, I may rewire it with 18-3 then locating a point on the metal portion to connect the ground.
Once again, thank you for your offer, you truly represent the spirit of this site in helping one-another with our projects!

If you change your mind just let me know I have 5 or 6 of them. I will look at it Monday anyway to see what size the wire is.