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**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:02 AM

Need to make a 3 foot section with a plug at each end. The gauge is ,( as I understand it ) #6 4 stranded. Do the big box stores sell this wire? Does it have to be a certain type for use in a power cord ( indoor/ outdoor ) ?

Steve N Sal · 03-07-2012, 07:12 AM

Yes the big box stores do sell it. It is 6/4SO or SOOW. Good thing you only need about 3'.

bldrbob · 03-07-2012, 07:25 AM

You could but a range cord and the female end to make it a little easier.

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve N Sal

Yes the big box stores do sell it. It is 6/4SO or SOOW. Good thing you only need about 3'.

Thanks. What's the SO and SOOW? I've seen AWG ??

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bldrbob

You could but a range cord and the female end to make it a little easier.

Thanks. Can you tell me more about the range cord? Never heard of that before.

FlyingDiver · 03-07-2012, 07:36 AM

He means the cord they sell to connect an electric range (stove) to a wall socket. The male end is the same as an RV 50 amp connection. You will need to purchase a socket (female end) to mount on the other end.

joe

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

He means the cord they sell to connect an electric range (stove) to a wall socket. The male end is the same as an RV 50 amp connection. You will need to purchase a socket (female end) to mount on the other end.

joe

Is it 6/4 ?

FlyingDiver · 03-07-2012, 07:42 AM

Looks like the hot lead conductors are:

Shop Utilitech 6' 6/2 & 8/2 SRDT, 3-Pole 4-Wire Range Cord at Lowes.com

anotherone · 03-07-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

Need to make a 3 foot section with a plug at each end. The gauge is ,( as I understand it ) #6 4 stranded. Do the big box stores sell this wire? Does it have to be a certain type for use in a power cord ( indoor/ outdoor ) ?

Just curious ; why? Do I want one too ???

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Looks like the hot lead conductors are:

Shop Utilitech 6' 6/2 & 8/2 SRDT, 3-Pole 4-Wire Range Cord at Lowes.com

I thought I needed 6/4. Is 6/2 and 8/2 sufficient for a 50 amp power cord?

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 07:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anotherone

Just curious ; why? Do I want one too ???

No problem. I am installing a 50 amp portable progressive surge protector in a basement compartment. I need to make a 3-4' cord coming from ceiling of compartment ( where power cord comes down from transfer switch in bedroom ) to plug into surge protector.

FlyingDiver · 03-07-2012, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clifftall

I thought I needed 6/4. Is 6/2 and 8/2 sufficient for a 50 amp power cord?

Interesting question. For a range, I expect it's impossible for the hot leads to get a load so imbalanced that you need heavier than 8 gauge for the neutral. And if the ground ever takes that large a load, you have serious other problems.

Off the cuff, I think you're probably safe with the RV cord too. Really depends on how your panel is set up and if your loads are reasonably balanced between the two phases.

joe

**CLIFFTALL** · 03-07-2012, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Interesting question. For a range, I expect it's impossible for the hot leads to get a load so imbalanced that you need heavier than 8 gauge for the neutral. And if the ground ever takes that large a load, you have serious other problems.

Off the cuff, I think you're probably safe with the RV cord too. Really depends on how your panel is set up and if your loads are reasonably balanced between the two phases.

joe

Thanks Joe. I have the plugs, so my best bet would be to get a length of 6/4 and be sure. I still don't know what SO and SOOW means. Does it have to say that on the wire?