Dehumidifier and Extenstion cord

I have been running my dehumidifer with an 20 ft extension cord for the past year in my basement. As per all the previous posters, it is best if you can plug it directly to the outlet. If that is not an option, make sure you get an extension cord that is heavy duty and have 3 prongs.

namahs

in Cellar 13 years and 9 months ago

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Guest User | 13 years and 9 months ago

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We recently purchased a home and have a very moist basement. We just bought a dehumidifier for it, but we have no 3-prong outlets in the basement and the dehumifidifier says not to plug it into an extension cord. Does anyone know why; have experience using an extension cord with a dehumidifier? Note: The only outlet in the basement is on the ceramic light fixture.

levicapland | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Its always best to plug an appliance directly into the wall. Using a faulty extension cord can cause an electrical fire. The extension cord has to be strong enough to handle the amps from the humidifier/appliance. With that being said the dehumidifier manufacturer is playing it safe by telling you not to use an extension cord.  In my opinion if you use a heavy duty extension cord that can handle air conditioners- you can use it with the dehumidifier.  Levi CaplandSoHo Appliances

stevecym | 13 years and 9 months ago

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grounding is there to protect the user from getting shocked – or to reduce the severity of the shock.  I had not worried too much about grounding with equipment I use as I know the risks, but since we now have a child, I have been careful to be sure all appliances requiring grounding are grounded.  You can possibly change that ceramic fixture to one which will have a third prong on it and ground to the metal box and I assume to the armored wire but you can also run an extension cord.  Now,  as Levi says, the manufacturer is probably playing it safe by saying do not use a cord, if I were to use a cord I would use a heavy one with no 12 wire (not 14 or 16) with a ground and in no more lenght than nec.  So if you can get away with a 15 foot cord, use it and not a 50′.  the longer the cord, the more the voltage drop and I am not saying that will be a problem here, but it is a concern when running heavy equipment via a long cord (the cord will heat up as voltage drops and amperage increases). Steve

bobjohn | 13 years and 9 months ago

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as others said, you will need a dadicated heavy duty extention cord to connect dehumidier. The bigger concern is not grounded outlet. If you have non-grounded appliance and it has electric fault inside, you might get elecrocuted when you touch the body of the appliance. Even worst, if your basement is flooded and non-grounded dehumifier is in the water, you might get electrocuted by simply stepping into the water. So get electrician to install proper grounded outlet in the basement. It is pretty cheap to run conduit from the panel in the basement.

slopemope | 13 years and 9 months ago

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we use a contractors extension cord for dehumidifiers. however, they generate a lot of heat like a fridge or A/C unit and i have plans to move ours.  yes they cover their butts, but for real reasons as well:   http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/09/14/general-us-dehumidifier-recall_8677873.html http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml10/10082.html   i would make it as thick and short a cord as possible, while putting it at the top of your to-do list for a more permanent solution.  in our case, a long drain hose is a pita, but much safer than a long cord.  also, note which circuit / breaker it is on, if that one keeps going out (sounds like you have old wiring) at least you will know why if the load of the cycling compressor is an issue.

hillel | 13 years and 9 months ago

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Just a question. where did you buy it and what brand it is? do you have a minuterie on it??