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Winged_One's avatar
Winged_One
Explorer
Jul 30, 2015

Electrical cord wrapped in a circle cause problems?

Several weeks back was at a private campground. The owner and another fellow were trying to work out a lack of ground on their 50 amp connection (this really is neither here nor there).

Anyway, the owner (a man in his 70/80's) said that having my 50 amp cord wrapped in a circle (you know, like a snake curled up), can cause electrical issues (feedback, etc).

Hey, I am no electrician.

Any reason we shouldn't wrap our electrical cords, or is it an old wives tale?

Or was it an issue way back, but with better insulation in the cords, not an issue anymore?

52 Replies

  • I've melted a few extension cords by not fully un-coiling them in the south Texas heat. Usually laying on the driveway on an August day. Set one on fire.

    As power goes through the cord, the cord heats. If the cord is spooled, the heat cannot dissipate as easily as if its free range.

    Its also why we don't run extension cords under the carpeting.

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