Making an extra-long range/oven cord?

[Rondog]

So, I scored a freebie kitchen range from a buddy, want to use it for powder coating. I plan to use the 50A 220 outlet for my welder. I need to make an extra long power cable for it, I'd like to go 12-15 feet, but could do 10 if I had to.

So, what kind of wire/cable do I need? I'm thinking 10/3 minimum, maybe 8/3 for the longer lengths? I've already spotted a 3-blade connector kit and have 10 & 8 ga. ring terminals, just need the cable.

Thanks!

 

[Mustang51js]

You can use rubber cord but you need to make everything match to the highest rating, if you are putting in a 50 outlet then the wire has to be rated for 50 amps,and most ovens use a 4 wire so you have to check on that. You would need 8/4 sj cord for 50 amp 4 wire,or 8/3 sj cord for 3 blade set up.

 

[gasaxeman]

You can use rubber cord but you need to make everything match to the highest rating, if you are putting in a 50 outlet then the wire has to be rated for 50 amps,and most ovens use a 4 wire so you have to check on that. You would need 8/4 sj cord for 50 amp 4 wire,or 8/3 sj cord for 3 blade set up.

I second what Mustang51 said.
I would also use a steel box,we call them 1900 boxes, and a steel cover and suitable 50 a device.
A good cord connector to connect cord to box. Preferably with strain relief
Make sure it is properly grounded.
Not OSHA approved as far as I know , but have been making cord type boxes for years without any issues for home use.

 

[mm08822]

You will need #6 sj to put on a 50A ckt.

 

[Rondog]

Ok, what does "sj" mean? And I guess I should clarify, the range doesn't have a cord at all, my buddy kept that for their new range. My cord will go directly from the range to the outlet. The outlet is a 3-blade.

My range is on an elevated platform, on wheels. So I can push it to the side out of the way when unused, then roll it out to the middle of the floor when I want to use it. So I need/want a long cord for this. Not an extension cord.

 

[The Cobbler]

Ok, what does "sj" mean? ....

the letters used to describe portable cords hold significance. Below are the meanings for each letter.[1]

S = Severe Service Cord - 600 volts (also 277/480 or 480) - May be utilized in place of SJ in extra-severe service
SJ = Junior Severe Service - 300 volts (also 120 or 120/208 or 120/240 or 240 or 277, but not 277/480)
T = Thermoplastic
H = Heat Resistant or High Heat (HH) Resistant
N = Nylon Outer Jacket Material
E = Elastomer - thermoplastic that looks and feels like rubber
O = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket Material
OO = Oil Resistant Outer Jacket and Oil Resistant Insulation
V = Vacuum (typically used with vacuum cleaners and other portable cleaning equipment)
W = CSA Weather and Water Resistant (approved for indoor and outdoor use)

 

[Rondog]

OK, that makes sense, thank you! (I hate acronyms)

My main concern is using the correct guage wire for the amperage load across the distance. Ideally I'd like a 15ft. cord, but 12 or even 10ft. would work. I just don't know if a 10/3 cable is enough for 15ft., or if I should get 8/3.

 

[gasaxeman]

Size it with 8/3 should be fine.
Although I doubt you are going to draw a full 50a, if you are not using the stove top.
Plug it in amprobe it a see what it draws with oven on.
Most double ovens I have hooked up are less than 50a

 

[PugetDude]

Might consider looking for a 50AMP RV extension cord- big motorhomes use them.

 

[Rondog]

Might consider looking for a 50AMP RV extension cord- big motorhomes use them.

Good idea, but I'm reasonably certain I can make one a LOT cheaper than a premade one. Hell, 6ft. premades are ~$25. I'm a cheap old *******.

Not to mention Lowes and Home Depot are 5 minutes away. RV supply house? Who knows.....

 

[G_P]

I have a 30' or so long cord for my welder made from 6/3 SJ cord. Works great. I got mine as scrap so I have no idea what that kind of cable would cost new but It probably wont be cheap.

 

[Rondog]

I called my brother in Texas, the retired electrician, and he confirmed that 8/3 would be what I need. I'd forgotten what a packrat he is, that boy'll haul home anything that ain't tied down, especially copper wire!

Damned if he didn't have a long-*** 8/3 cable in his scrap box, already premade with the right plug on the end! It's already in the mail and on the way. Score!

 

[gasaxeman]

Good to be a packrat


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What you are making is a CORD...... not a CABLE. A cable is like Romex, jacketed, and intended for permanent installation. It has, generally a stiff plastic jacket, either solid or coarse stranded wire, and stiff insulation on the wires, and almost always, a bare ground wire....... A cord is what you use on lamps, stoves, dryers, etc. It has a plug on the end, is super flexible, has very fine stranded wire in it to allow flex, and very soft, pliable outer jacket and wire insulation, and the ground is green and insulated. It is designed for "temporary" use and should not be permanently installed.

SOOW is a very common type of black rubber jacketed cord. SJOOW is also fairly common, everything else is less common.

The number designators such as 8/3 define the gauge, in this case 8, and the number of INSULATED wires inside it. Thus a Romex CABLE would be an 8/3 with/grd (since the ground is bare and not insulated) while an equivalent CORD would be 8/4 since it has an insulated ground. In both cases you have two hots (black and red) and a neutral (white) and a ground (bare or green insulated) in this example. The amp ratings may vary slightly, and you would need to consult the NEC tables to determine the amp capacity of the cord or cable you are using, based on what it is and its designation.

Charles

 

[wyliesdiesels]

8/3 cord is only rated for 40a and 8/4 cord is rated for 35a.....If u want a 50a rated cord, u will have to go to 6/3 rated at 55a or 6/4 rated at 45a. Cordage has lower ampacity ratings than building wire!!

 

[Rondog]

Just gonna use an old kitchen range for occasional powdercoating projects, I doubt it'll be drawing 50 amps.

My grandfather, father, and two brothers were all commercial electricians. I worked 26 years in Telecom, wiring things with everything from 26ga. twisted copper pairs to 750MCM and 777 locomotive cable.

So, while I'm not a licensed Journeyman, I do have a little background at making and avoiding sparks, and trying to not let the smoke get out of things.

 

[thewatusi]

Just gonna use an old kitchen range for occasional powdercoating projects, I doubt it'll be drawing 50 amps.

My grandfather, father, and two brothers were all commercial electricians. I worked 26 years in Telecom, wiring things with everything from 26ga. twisted copper pairs to 750MCM and 777 locomotive cable.

So, while I'm not a licensed Journeyman, I do have a little background at making and avoiding sparks, and trying to not let the smoke get out of things.

If that's the case, why are you asking strangers on the Internet for electrical advice?

 

[Rondog]

If that's the case, why are you asking strangers on the Internet for electrical advice?

Why not? Others here can benefit from the advice given, not just me.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Whats the old adage? "Do it right or dont do it at all?"

Also, if youre asking on here, the sparkies are only gonna give u the code approved answer!!