Members bm1977 Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 Hi, am looking to get two 12 or 14 E-Cords Power Block Extension Cord. http://www.guitarcenter.com/E-Cords-Power-Block-Extension-Cord-330801-i1128429.gc Each one will run a QSC K12, a K-Sub, a Mackie SRM 415 as a monitor, and possibly some floor pedals and/or small amps.There will be one extension at each side of our stage. I am thinking of 25 feet each. Questions: 1. Do I need a 12 gauge or 14 gauge?2. Under what circumstances would I need each one?3. Which one would I choose if I need 50 feet? Thanks for the help, Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 Cords will molded ends should be thrown in the trash IMHO. They simply don't last. What ever you get, go with 12 gauge and you'll never have to be concerned about electrical delivery cord wise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rbts Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 Cords will molded ends should be thrown in the trash IMHO. They simply don't last. UM.. what other kinds of ends are there... you mean like cords with boxes on the ends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 UM.. what other kinds of ends are there... you mean like cords with boxes on the ends? Spec grade ends generally get the job done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 14 gauge @ 25 foot is plenty fine. You are not drawing enough current with your loads to mak a difference at such a short distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members RoadRanger Posted September 8, 2009 Members Share Posted September 8, 2009 You can cheap out with a "standard" Walmart one outlet extension cord and a mounded 3 wire cube tap. I lucked out last January and got 25 foot 14 gauge green cords with an outlet every 8 feet on xmas closeout for $6 each - I plugged a cube tap into each outlet and have 9 outlets on each cord (I leave the cube taps plugged in). I run one stage left and one stage right for backline and the PA. I bought 25 foot IEC cords for my powered speakers from monoprice ($8?) so's I don't have to run extensions to them . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Rbts Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Spec grade ends generally get the job done. What, may I ask, is a spec grade end? How does one tell if an end is spec grade or not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Hi, am looking to get two 12 or 14 E-Cords Power Block Extension Cord.1. Do I need a 12 gauge or 14 gauge?Brian Not particular to Brian's post, but: 12ga. is my choice for utility grade extension cords, because: 12ga. is suitable for 20A (of 117V) current carrying capacity. 20A is the maximum expected from an Edison wall outlet. Therefore, 12ga. is suitable to carry the load of virtually anything plugged into a wall outlet. Therefore, I only purchase and carry 12ga. 117V AC extension cords... because you can easily carry 7 gallons of water in a 10 gallon bucket, but it's more than difficult to carry 7 gallons in a 5 gallon bucket. I use SO rated for the heavy traffic locations, and SJ rated everywhere else. I've seen a lot of barber poled lesser gauge AC extension cords in my day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 What, may I ask, is a spec grade end?How does one tell if an end is spec grade or not? Spec grade = specification grade, which is the good stuff. Generally spec grade AC cord ends are heavy duty with good strain relief and "insert, then screw-down to clamp the wire" termination points. I personally use Hubbell or Marinco spec grade cord ends like these: http://cgi.ebay.com/Hubbell-5266C-AC-Main-Power-Cable-Connector-Plug-2-pcs_W0QQitemZ110425960953 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members NUSound Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Mark, As long as you're on the topic, do you have a preference of SJ cable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Carol makes excellent cordage. According to the National Electrical Code, all cabling used on a "stage" or other public area of performance is required to be rough service (SO) cable. Fire marshalls will usually overlook the use of SJ (Junior Service) cable in my experience however. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members BillESC Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Oh, and I happen to prefer Leviton connectors over Hubble, the stress relief machanics are better IMHO. This is the connector we use (the all black model) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members W. M. Hellinger Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Mark,As long as you're on the topic, do you have a preference of SJ cable? I agree with Bill that Carol seems to be making some of the nicer cable on the market right now... the Carol stuff seems to coil and lay better than others. Also, I agree with Bill concerning his recommendation of the Leviton cord ends. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bm1977 Posted September 9, 2009 Author Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Is it cheaper to buy the wire and then the connectors? what do you think of the ones I asked about: E-Cords http://www.guitarcenter.com/E-Cords-...01-i1128429.gc If these are not good, what brand and where do I buy 25' 12 gauge block cables. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members agedhorse Posted September 9, 2009 Members Share Posted September 9, 2009 Carol makes excellent cordage.According to the National Electrical Code, all cabling used on a "stage" or other public area of performance is required to be rough service (SO) cable. Fire marshalls will usually overlook the use of SJ (Junior Service) cable in my experience however. The definition of a stage is quite complex, not all stages require SO cable. From what I recall off the top of my head, it's any LEGITIMATE stage which carries a very different definition. Also, the application (ie. stage lighting) is called out specifically for SO, but the cable service must match the AHJ's definition of the application. Most "stages" do not require SO cordage for audio purposes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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