There will hardly be any exaggeration in it if I say that in this article you will come to know how to make a 30-amp generator extension cord. The generator extension cord must be heavy-duty so that you can use it in your leisure time on your recreational vehicle and for other outdoor activities. You can buy a variety of these extension cords online and in many local stores. Furthermore, if you want to make it by yourself then no need to worry, you can!
How To make a 30 Amp generator extension cord
The readily available extension cord on the market might not have been made with good material that meets your real need. That’s why you consider making that on your own.
Why is it so important to make your own 30-ampere generator extension cord?
It is important to design your own extension cord because it will make you tension free from having low-quality 30-amp generator extension cords readily available in the market that might be having low quality, length, or thickness.
Before making your own, you should have knowledge of the type of extension cord, its quality, length, and thickness. Once you are done with it, now you can gather your own materials which are as follows, and after that consider the steps to make your own 30-ampere generator extension cord.
Following are the things you will need
- A Male plug.
- Only two receptacles.
- Extension cord of number 10 size.
- 4 x 4 square box with cover.
- CGB or cord connector with strain relief.
- Protective gloves.
- A screwdriver.
- Pliers.
- A knife.
- The scissors.
- An electrical tape.
Step 1: Make a Hole in a Square Box
After getting all of the tools and equipment in a single place, make a hole in a square box with the help of pliers.
Step 2: Strip the lead cord
Now you need to strip the lead cord with the help of pliers. Make sure to cut approx. 3inches from the end. Be preventive while cutting and you must know about the neutral, live, and ground wires. Scissors will also be helpful.
Step 3: Cut some useless wires
After stripping the extension cord, remove the unnecessary wires that will no longer use to make the extension cord. And leave neutral, hot, and live wires.
Step 4: Adjust the CGB on the square Box’s hole
In this step, adjust the CGB on a square box, for this put that CGB on the hole that was made on that and use channel lock pliers to make it tight. After setting all wires inside the box, lock the CGB.
Step 5: Strip the Wire – not too much
Now strip the wire, for this purpose you can use pliers. Be mindful not to strip it too much.
Step 6: Now make two grounds
Now cut the wire in order to make two grounds. Which will be attached to the receptacle and ground from your generator.
Attach other wires to the box with the help of wire nuts. You may use strippers or your fingers to tighten the wire nuts. After doing this pull the wires to make sure that they are in good contact.
Step 7: Now connect the receptacles with wires
Now make wires in a twist shape to connect them and tight them with the screwdriver. Be mindful that the connections are in the right position. For protection, you may wrap the wires with electrical tape.
Step 8: Now put the Receptacles into the cover of the Square Box
Now attach the receptacles by removing the screws first. After this place covers on the square box and tight or lock it with those screws which you removed first.
Step 9: Connect the Other Point of Wire to Male Plug
Remove the screws of the male plug then strip the wire to the other end and attach it to the male plug. After this, check the connections and screw them back likewise.
Top tips to choose and use the best Extension cord
As a matter of fact, extension cords are many essentials for both indoors and outdoors. That’s why they are available in different types online or in local stores. But be mindful of their differences.
Below are the top tips that you must follow to choose or buy the best extension cord and do use it properly.
- Must check wire thickness, amp rating, and cord length.
- Make sure of having good or tight connections before using an extension cord.
- Always avoid using an indoor extension cord outside.
- Do not use an extension cord when you don’t really need it.
- Do not use such an extension cord that is made for lower amperage.
- Do not use such a cord that is damaged and has a cut in it, even if you see wires inside. Moreover, wrap it up using electrical tape to repair the cord.
- Before plugging the cord into the power source, must check all connections that should be tight enough or secure.
- Always pull the plug to separate instead of pulling the extension cord itself to disconnect.
- Few of the cords come with handles which make it easier to unplug.
- Always keep the connections of the cord off the ground and try to prevent them to expose to moisture and to standing water.
- Be limited to the number of adapters you use.
- When you ever feel the adapter is getting hot, stop using it. Because most of the time short circuit occurs when it becomes too hot or melts.
- During use, always unroll the whole extension cord to prevent coils.
How to find the capacity of an extension cord?
When you are buying an extension cord, you must the wire gauge rating. Be mindful that the lower AWG (American Wire Gauge) rating number, the thicker the wire will be and vice versa. As the extension cord comes with higher AWG, the wire will have less thickness. And the rated capacity will be lower.
Generally, for RV applications, you go for high-rated capacity with lower AWG. When you search for the best extension cord on the market, you notice different labels, and most of the time people don’t know about that. In order to read or understand it, let’s have an example.
An extension cord comes with two specifications i.e., the thickness and the number of wires. If you see 15/3, the 15 number presents the thickness or gauge of the wire whereas the number 3 represents the number of wires in the cord.
General Facts about Extension Cords
Whenever you have an extension cord, you may well know about it and its uses. But I don’t think that you really know the following facts about using an extension cord.
- Extension cords can only be used for temporary purposes.
- Such regular cords are either indoor or outdoor.
- Extension cord designed for outdoor comes with heavy, thick additional insulation.
- Specifically for your RV, must use an extension cord that comes with a ground wire in order to prevent electrical shock.
- You will feel convenient when you find RV’s power cord at a shorter place to power the pedestal.
- The length of the wire and gauge both will affect the cord’s amperage rating. Like, 25 feet-long wire having ten gauges will offer a rating of 30 amperes.
How to make a 30-amp generator extension cord? Now, For sure. You can make the best extension cord of 30amp for yourself or for your generator. Be mindful to follow the above tips and steps for guidance.
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