Expert: Master Bob - 6/24/2006

Question
hi, we are purchasing a tanning bed for our home.  we need a 220 line to plug it into.  is there such thing as a 220 line extenstion cord?  we have a 220 line for our electric stove and was wondering if we could just use that one with an extention cord.  any other ideas you may have that would help us save money would be appreciated!  thanks!

Answer
Hi Chris,

  No...you can not run an extension cord from the stove receptacle outlet to the tanning bed...the stove generally has a 50 amp (or 60) breaker with #6 or #8 wiring....and most tanning beds are 20 amps or less....and use either #12 or #10 wiring. To do so would be a serious Code violation.

 IF you were to do this...the 50 amp stove breaker would NEVER trip if there should be a problem with the tanning bed....and this failure to trip could cause fire...or serious injury to anyone using it.

 However....IF this stove receptacle outlet is no longer being used...you could convert it to a 20 amp 240 volt cirucit (or whatever the actual power requirement of your bed is..) changing out the breaker to the required size...running new wire to the bed location...and installing the proper receptacle outlet there for the bed...eliminating the need for an extension cord. A local electrician could probably do this work for you in an hour or two...and it wouldn't be that expensive.

 To go about this any other way could create additional  serious hazards...along with the well known health dangers of simply using a tanning bed.

 Saving lives is much more important to me then saving money...I urge use to have this bed wired correctly...and follow ALL owner's manuals safety warnings to the letter.

 Hope this helps..if you'd like more info on how to wire this bed...please follow-up. (NOTE: we will be out of the area the next few days resting up...and will be marked as "on vacation" at the site ).

Best Wishes,

Bob Osgood
Master Electrician / Owner

RKO ELECTRIC

www.rkoelectric.com