heating question?

The problem with an extension cord that isn't rated to carry that much current is that the wires are too thin, and they will heat up and possibly set fire to something. This tends to happen when an extension cord is run under a carpet, which traps the heat.

If you want to be safe, buy an extension cord made for an air conditioner. It uses wires that are thick enough that they won't heat up even when supplying a large amount of power.

If you want to try your extension cord, try it for ten minutes with the heater running. Touch the cord. Is it getting hot? If it is, then turn off the heater. If the cord isn't warming up, then leave it for half an hour. Then check it. Then an hour. If it can run for four hours without the cord feeling warm, it isn't going to heat up enough to become dangerous even if you use it all the time 24/7.

Of course, the heater will heat the cord directly, just like everything around it. If the cord is heating itself because it can't carry the power, the cord will be hot along its entire length, even the end that is away from the heater.

There are a number of problems you face in deciding how to heat the basement space. How large is the basement? If the room is very large you would benefit from hanging blankets floor to ceiling around your personal heated space to prevent the heat from dissipating. Of course, you must allow enough room to keep the space around and in front of the heater away of combustible materials. Heaters are intended for various sized rooms, and usually have a recommended square footage listed on the box. Make sure your heater is large enough for the space.

How large is the wiring. Size 12 wiring can handle more wattage and amperage than size 14, which is used for lighting fixtures. I have no idea if your outlet was added to a wiring run intended only for lighting. If your wiring is too small (size 14 is smaller than size 12) there is a greater danger of fire. Space heaters often have a low and a high setting. The low setting is 1200 watts and the high is 1500 watts. At 1500 watts a heater draws 12.5 amps. This is withing the average 15 amp breaker, but someone else may be running a heater on the same line which would cause the breaker to trip. Extension cords are also rated for amperage. With heaters it is best to use the highest amp rating EC. Never coil extra wire; it's better to run it back and forth. Never cover an EC with anything. Both practices will cause the wire to heat up. Below is a link to an article detailing the most common causes of electrical fires, which is your greatest danger in rigging up a heating system.

http://www.interfire.org/features/electric_wiring_...

Indeed, you need to get an extension cord suited for your usage...or install a new outlet at a convenient level, which is what I'd recommend since you apparently only have the one.

That's bad. But being in a basement, access to more wiring shouldn't be difficult.

However, I'd strongly suggest instead of a heater you consider a heating pad for your bed. It'll keep you warmer and use less power. Also get a quality blanket. Or even a mylar warming tent.

Running another outlet is really what you want to do. If you can't, there are some heavy duty extension cords out there that you can use. You want them to be as short of a run as you can live with, you do not want to be using that power strip with the heater. You may have another option if the house is forced hot air and the ducts happen to run by where you are.

There ARE heavier extension cords rated for appliances, such as for air conditioners etc that would be safe than a standard extension cord. That said, it sounds as if your place is probably not legally approved for an apartment by your town/city standards. PLEASE BE SURE THAT YOU HAVE A FIRE ALARM/CARBON MONOXIDE ALARM IN YOUR ROOM!!!! Your big danger is that the home owner's heating system could malfunction and kill you with the carbon monoxide (no odor with CO2). PLEASE BE SAFE!!!

You can use heater with this cord for now until tomorrow go to store get different kind. Well you can buy special cord that heavy duty such as heater. Home depots or Lowes hardware has it.

1. There is NO SUCH THING as an extension cord rated for use with an heater.

2. Building code REQUIRES wall outlets in ALL living spaces. It is not legal to live in the basement you describe.

3. BLANKETS will be far more effective in the situation you describe than any heating device.

well you can ether used the ceiling and pin the cord to the ceiling then powerbar and heater, or find a different plug to plug bar and cord in and run it to room. More less longer the cord thicker the cord so it keeps higher wattage to heater.

You obviously rent the place so why not talk with the owner and/or find another place.

Maybe you can get a propane heater. You could take the outlet out of the ceiling and using the same gauge wire and wire nuts make it longer (yes it will look very dumb but functional).