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[Nathan Riddle]

I'm having a hard time finding info (search here & google) on where to get 10/3 SOOW Extension Cords.

Are people making or buying?
UL listed?
Labeled?

edit:
We checked my needs (see convo below).

Where do you buy your SOOW 10/3?

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I want to upgrade my neon green 12awg 100ft SJTW E-cords

Saw this on the fourms at one point, nice that they label the cords for you.
SJTW - 12awg - labeled

But I wanted less voltage drop. So I was thinking of upgrading to 10awg
SJEOW - 10awg - lit end

But then I was thinking just go all the way and get SOOW. Or is SJEOW enough? (it isn't)

[Adam Kane]

I've never seen premade cords with molded ends made with SOOW. Not saying they don't exist, but I've always just built my own because I could never find any.

[Nathan Riddle]

I've never seen premade cords with molded ends made with SOOW. Not saying they don't exist, but I've always just built my own because I could never find any.

Thanks, glad to have a confirmation on that. Got a source for SOOW cable & nema connectors you like?

Can a handmade cord be UL listed?

[Erik Jerde]

Thanks, glad to have a confirmation on that. Got a source for SOOW cable & nema connectors you like?

Can a handmade cord be UL listed?

I order all my s(j)oow cable from my local electrical supply house (Viking Electric).  They cut to length and deliver next day at no additional cost.  It’s pretty awesome.  When you factor in labor it’s waaaaay cheaper than Home Depot.

I don’t believe shop made cables can be listed.  The UL listing is for the whole assembly.  I suppose you could send them in to UL for testing....

[Nathan Riddle]

I don’t believe shop made cables can be listed.  The UL listing is for the whole assembly.  I suppose you could send them in to UL for testing....

In that case my next question is UL listed SJTW or SJEOW cable better than SOOW cable for entertainment industry?

Specifically for me needs, I'm not being inspected by any AHJ and don't expect to be anytime soon.

[Mark Cadwallader]

My understanding of the NEC (I'm not an electrician) is that SO is required by the NEC for on-stage use. SJ is allowed if protected by a raceway or is not otherwise "on the deck."  To minimze inventory, I have SO for just about everywhere, even overhead lighting. I doubt I'll ever get a visit from my AHJ, but I want to do the right thing (and follow industry standards.)  YMMV, local codes may be different, etc.

[Nathan Riddle]

My understanding of the NEC (I'm not an electrician) is that SO is required by the NEC for on-stage use. SJ is allowed if protected by a raceway or is not otherwise "on the deck."  To minimze inventory, I have SO for just about everywhere, even overhead lighting. I doubt I'll ever get a visit from my AHJ, but I want to do the right thing (and follow industry standards.)  YMMV, local codes may be different, etc.

That's my understanding as well.

I take it you bought a/multiple 1000ft rolls of SOOW and NEMA ends and created your own cords then?

[Mark Cadwallader]

That's my understanding as well.

I take it you bought a/multiple 1000ft rolls of SOOW and NEMA ends and created your own cords then?

Not exactly. As a small-time operator, I have bought up to 250' at a time, but not a 1000' spool. I usually buy all black Leviton NEMA 5-15 ends in lots of 10. I also make NEMA - powerCon cords in batches. If I was smarter (or better capitalized) I'm sure that I could have saved some money buying a 1000' spool. (Although the weight and size of a 1000' spool might have done me in before I got anything built.)

[Scott Holtzman]

Thanks, glad to have a confirmation on that. Got a source for SOOW cable & nema connectors you like?

Can a handmade cord be UL listed?

Hi Nathan - You have a Graybar in town.  I buy a ton of Cat cable and stuff from them so we get a good discount.  I can order a 1000' spool and you can pickup at will call saving the shipping. 

I also agree on the Leviton plugs and sockets.  If you are in the mood to spend money I would seriously look at putting the OA Winsor boxes on the end. I wish I did.

[Nathan Riddle]

Hi Nathan - You have a Graybar in town.  I buy a ton of Cat cable and stuff from them so we get a good discount.  I can order a 1000' spool and you can pickup at will call saving the shipping. 

I also agree on the Leviton plugs and sockets.  If you are in the mood to spend money I would seriously look at putting the OA Winsor boxes on the end. I wish I did.

Graybar? Never heard of them.

They're in Panamacity and Pensacola both are about 1hr away.

That'd be great. I can't afford 1000' roll right now. Only need 3x 100ft 10awg cords for most of my needs. 500' would be good though. (That way I can afford OA Windsor :p I'll probably just make 3x 100ft cords to start.

Thanks

Pretty good price too $1.28/ft for 250ft roll. I don't understand why the 500ft roll is more?

https://www.graybar.com/store/en/gb/soow-black-portable-cord-cable#{Conductor%20Size:10%20AWG}

[Stephen Swaffer]

I don’t believe shop made cables can be listed.  The UL listing is for the whole assembly.  I suppose you could send them in to UL for testing....

I recently attended an OSHA electrical safety class.  According to that instructor, a UL listed extension cord cannot be repaired-because you have modified an assembly.  However, you can take UL listed components that are intended to be used together (I am sure what they can be used with is part of the listing-wire size, etc) and make a cord that is OSHA approved.  I don't know if that would meet your AHJ's definition of listed.

[Scott Holtzman]

Graybar? Never heard of them.

They're in Panamacity and Pensacola both are about 1hr away.

That'd be great. I can't afford 1000' roll right now. Only need 3x 100ft 10awg cords for most of my needs. 500' would be good though. (That way I can afford OA Windsor :p I'll probably just make 3x 100ft cords to start.

Thanks

Pretty good price too $1.28/ft for 250ft roll. I don't understand why the 500ft roll is more?

https://www.graybar.com/store/en/gb/soow-black-portable-cord-cable#{Conductor%20Size:10%20AWG}

Ignore their retail price.  The spools are 1000ft.  If you are looking for 500ft will have to find a cut spool.  They run a truck from Panama City to Jax every day so transfers are free too.

[Ed Hall]

Nathan,
Check out wire and cable your way even with shipping it may be cheaper. I get all my cable there and usually have it at my door in 2-3 days.

[Brian Bolly]

Check out wire and cable your way even with shipping it may be cheaper. I get all my cable there and usually have it at my door in 2-3 days.

This. 

I've used them MANY times in the last 5 years - easily purchased miles of cable at this point.  Their prices are competitive, especially if you're looking for cuts.  For full spools you *might* get better pricing locally with an account, but it's negligible in most cases (IMO).

I'd second Camel Traders, although I know a few folks have had hit or miss dealings with them. 

The one I'd run away from is Nassau Wire in NJ.  Run.  Away.

[Art Welter]

Graybar? Never heard of them.

Pretty good price too $1.28/ft for 250ft roll. I don't understand why the 500ft roll is more?

Never heard of Graybar? Reminds me of 1979 when building my first electrical distribution system. When I found out about them- like wow, this beats the hell out of a hardware store!
Got a batch of bad circuit breakers at Graybar back then, they replaced them with no hassle, made me a loyal customer.

The 1000 foot reel is about the same price per foot as the 250', likely they have just screwed up on the 500' in the many price adjustments copper goes through.

Graybar may not be the lowest price you can find, but they have been able to "hang in there" with good stock of damn near everything in the electrical/mechanical world, and can be found all over the USA- a nice resource.

[Nathan Riddle]

Sounds like Graybar and Wire and Cable Your Way are great resources!

Scott, I'll have to hold on the 1000ft spool for now since I only need 300ft and can get 1/3 SOOW for $1.01/ft ~$342 shipped (after 5% new signup discount).

I'll definitely take you up on your offer if I need a big order in the future

[John Schalk]

I like these cord ends when I'm trying to squeeze 10ga wire into a 15 amp connector.  The body of the male and female ends are a bit longer, making it easier to wire the plug and still get a good strain relief on the outer jacket.  They come in black or yellow and HomeDepot may stock them, although on my last trip I had to order them on-line and get them shipped to the store.

15 AMP PLUG

If that link fails, Google "Eaton AH5965BK"

[ProSoundWeb Community]