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13a vs. 10a power cords

1,156 Views | 5 Replies | Last: 1 yr ago by TequilaMockingbird
91AggieLawyer
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AG
This is equally a nerdery question as it is one for here, but there are more true electrical guys that hang out here.

I have some powered speakers (PA) that put out about 300 watts. I need at least one power cord to stretch out to about 25 feet. I bought a 10' cord that is a 13 amp cord but I can't find a 25' 13a cord, just the usual 10a cords you usually get with most devices. I want to be as careful as possible and am having these cords going to a strip that is also a power conditioner.

Do I need to keep looking or is the 25' 10a cord OK?
P.H. Dexippus
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AG
I've melted a cord before, not worth it. Just step up to 20A

https://www.amazon.com/Clear-Power-Extension-Resistant-CP10144/dp/B084RXNTBD/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=RDWC9VPYNYR&keywords=20A+power+cord&qid=1677564666&sprefix=20a+power+cord%2Caps%2C124&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1&smid=A2GZJM2ACT771B&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzOVc0QjFUNUNXWjNYJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNDE5MDcwMUxMUE9BR0FGUVdEViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNTM0MTc1WjA3RzNPUEFMTjBPJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==
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AgEngineer72
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AG
Wait, what? Melted a cord? Not sure what that circumstance might have been but in this case the OP stated a 300 watt amplifier. Not sure what else he may plug in but that alone is small current- less than 4 amps total assuming any parasitic stuff.

OP doesn't mention whether this is possibly outdoors or if color is a problem but "13 amp" extension cords are readily available at big box stores in all sorts of lengths including 50 foot and longer. Most 14 gauge cords seem to be rated at 13 amps. But I would think a "10 amp" cord should be ok for that light a load.
91AggieLawyer
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To clarify this is NOT an extension cord. This is the actual power cord for the device. I'm replacing the normal 6-ish foot cord with a longer cord. I have an 8 foot cord for one speaker and needing to get a longer cord for the other one -- the other speaker will be a greater distance away from the power strip. I may actually need a longer than 8' cord anyway.

I may end up with one or more extension cords but I want to get a sufficient cord to begin with.
redaszag99
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Watts=Volts X Amps

300W/120V=2.5A

You should be good to go
TequilaMockingbird
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91AggieLawyer said:

This is equally a nerdery question as it is one for here, but there are more true electrical guys that hang out here.

I have some powered speakers (PA) that put out about 300 watts. I need at least one power cord to stretch out to about 25 feet. I bought a 10' cord that is a 13 amp cord but I can't find a 25' 13a cord, just the usual 10a cords you usually get with most devices. I want to be as careful as possible and am having these cords going to a strip that is also a power conditioner.

Do I need to keep looking or is the 25' 10a cord OK?
The 300 watts you're referencing is the audio wattage the speakers are putting out. You need to look on the back panel to see what kind of current the internal amplifiers draw.

ETA- I would use the existing 6' cables that came with the units and simply extend them with typical 15A extension cords available at any Home Despot or Lowes.
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