Patio Refrigerator and Freezer Question?

[4570Man]

On a side note the outlet is GFCI but no report of tripping.

That said… I’m not a fan of using a GFCI for refrigerators… but location requires GFCI protection.

GFCI have generated a lot of service calls over the years but that is a different topic but just about always GFCI doing its job…

Me neither. I had nuisance tripping with the GFCI with the refrigerator in my garage. I rewired it to protect every outlet in the garage except the one the refrigerator is on and there’s been no more problems. The arc fault/ GFCI breakers are even worse. They won’t run any electric motor without tripping.

 

[kenmac]

ll

Yes, and someone here exceeds weight limits on their FEL swearing it is ok too.

Extension cords, for permanent use, are just a bad idea. Use them if necessary but match them to the appliance as you have done. The real problem is that others only heard the first part (I've used one for years), go buy an extension cord at Walmart for $3.99, and call it a day. If that wasn't true, this thread would not have been posted.

so, I take some 12/2 romex, wire on a 3 prong male plug, Plug into the wall receptacle, staple it to the wall , wire a receptacle with box on the other end, and plug in said appliance, I'm somehow better off than using 12/2 extension cord on the same appliance ? I mean after all, I used romex

 

[4570Man]

ll

Yes, and someone here exceeds weight limits on their FEL swearing it is ok too.

Extension cords, for permanent use, are just a bad idea. Use them if necessary but match them to the appliance as you have done. The real problem is that others only heard the first part (I've used one for years), go buy an extension cord at Walmart for $3.99, and call it a day. If that wasn't true, this thread would not have been posted.

If they would have spent more than $3.99 and bought a 12 gauge cord that wasn’t much longer than required there would be no problem.

 

[Root Cause]

If they would have spent more than $3.99 and bought a 12 gauge cord that wasn’t much longer than required there would be no problem.

I agree. I am considering the audience, not the author.
My point is that many people I encounter who are renters don't have the basic knowledge most do here as many never had to fix anything themselves. They see a $30 price tag for the right one and think, naw, I can get that for less at Wallyworld.

 

[kenmac]

we don't know what size extension cord was used. The term ''light weight'' is used. No GA. wire size was mentioned.

 

[jyoutz]

so, I take some 12/2 romex, wire on a 3 prong male plug, Plug into the wall receptacle, staple it to the wall , wire a receptacle with box on the other end, and plug in said appliance, I'm somehow better off than using 12/2 extension cord on the same appliance ? I mean after all, I used romex

That’s what I did in my garage.

 

[kenmac]

That’s what I did in my garage.

LOL. Most of my extension cords are 12ga. I do have a couple 10ga cords 100ft long.
Talk about a heavy cord !!

 

[ultrarunner]

18ga Christmas Tree Light cord is what I saw especially since it was two prong and green with red ends.

I thought telling him the cord was a hazard solved the problem.

My Guess is the orange cord is 16 ga but have not verified as tied up at work with rain expected...

 

[ultrarunner]

Extension cords are a mystery to many...

A friend rented a floor sander and basically could not use it... He used a 16 ga cord on a 15 amp circuit.

I brought over my 10ga cord and miracle of miracles the problem was no more.

The unit was marked use 12ga or better... He thought 16 was better than 12

I've got a lot of heavy 10 and 12 ga cords in my truck...

The skill worm 77 and my emglo compressor demand proper size.

 

[4570Man]

I had some framers working trying to use their skil saws on 200 foot of 16 gauge cord. It took the blade 30 seconds to spin up. They have to be burning up a saw every week. Their framing work was good apparently electric isn’t their thing.