Proper Gauge Wire

[CoalFired]

I've purchased 2 tools off craigslist/kijiji in the last year and both have aftermarket cords installed by the previous owner.

I have a General T350 with a 12 gauge cord that's approximately 10 feet long, and I have a DJ20 Delta Jointer that says it's a 16 gauge wire that's about 18 maybe 20 feet long.

My question is should I be trusting the previous owner with this? Do you think I'm at risk of blowing a motor??

Here's some pictures of the machines and the following cords. They're on a imgur so I don't get in doo doo for drowning the forum with huge pictures on my first post.

http://imgur.com/a/HU64z

Thanks for any help in advance!

 

[G_P]

You can always put a volt meter on the motor while its running and see if you are getting bad voltage drop.

 

[b_bueno]

A habit I have is to go thru as much of the equipment until I'm confident it's where it needs to be reliable.
Changing the cords will add a level of safety and confidence in the tool.
Keep in mind, not everybody's standards are up to yours or mine.

 

[wild cowboy]

never go less than the original size, but larger conductors are always fine, and in some cases can even help the tool perform better - remember, the lower the gauge number, the larger the conductor!

 

[bacr619]

Look at the name plate for the unit. it will show all of the electrical specs Look for full load amps it may show as FLA, amp, or FL amp. the following is wire gauge and amps that it can carry.

AWG (wire gauge) amps
18 7
16 10
14 15
12 20
10 30

Also, power cors should be no longer then 6 feet per UL listing and NEC codes for the US.