Heatstick Safety Questions

[storunner13]

I'm working on a new 20A 2000w heatstick. I'm planning on hooking it up to a switch like Capt. Kirk has. I have the 25' 12g extension cord (which I will cut part of for cord on the heatstick itself, along with a 20a plug). The question is, do I need to mod the rest of the extension cord (to the light switch) with a 20a plug? It has a 15a plug I believe, and states that it's rated to 15a.

Also, will I have any problems with a stainless steel nut/washer/bolt for the ground wire's attachment to the drain pipe? Or do I need brass.

I have a GFCI outlet (20a), so I'm safe there...I just want to be safe everywhere else.

 

[Mightyscoop]

I'd upgrade the outlet to a 20A, though I doubt it's necessary it's the safest bet. 2000W @ 120v is 16.7A, better be safe than sorry.

I'm having trouble imagining your ground bonding to the drain. Normally the way I've attached bonding to pipes is with a brass/copper clamp. Something like:

http://www.penn-union.com/Products/c-6898-water-pipe-ground-clamps.aspx

As long as the jumper is mechanically solid, I'd say it's fine.

 

[Cpt_Kirks]

As far as I can tell, they do not make plugs rated for 20A, except the models that have one prong "sideways". They make 20A rated outlets, but not plugs.

My plugs are 15A rated, but are EXACTLY like the 20A rated plugs with the sideways prong. They are yet to get warm to the touch when being used, even in the hot part of summer.

BTW, my cords are now redone and built into my brewstand:

 

[Ohio-Ed]

As far as I can tell, they do not make plugs rated for 20A, except the models that have one prong "sideways". They make 20A rated outlets, but not plugs.
.....

The plug with one prong turned sideways is a 20amp plug.

I had a 12awg cord with a 2000w load that would trip a 20amp gfci after a few minutes. I replaced the 15amp plug with a 20amp plug and the problem went away. It is possible there was another problem with the plug, but if you think about how small a conductor it takes to carry 5amps, a pretty small difference in a 15amp and 20amp plug could make the difference.

Ed

 

[storunner13]

I found some 20A plugs at my local Menards. I think I'll attach one to the heatstick's cord, and attach the rest of the extension cord to the switch and outlet with the plug that came with it. I can always switch that plug out for another one.

Mightyscoop. Are you saying that stainless steel won't conduct well enough? The idea is to bolt the ground wire to the inside of the drain pipe and cover it with JB welt (to seal it) as explained in this tutorial.

 

[Mightyscoop]

Mightyscoop. Are you saying that stainless steel won't conduct well enough? The idea is to bolt the ground wire to the inside of the drain pipe and cover it with JB welt (to seal it) as explained in this tutorial.

Not at all. I see what you mean now, and it should work fine. I'm just a lowly electrician and couldn't imagine how you were bonding it. No worries!