What is extension cord wire called?

The size of the copper wire that delivers power inside an extension cord is called its American Wire Gauge (AWG), or gauge for short.

Can you use extension cord for wiring?

Only use extension cords temporarily; permanent wiring should be installed when use of the cord is no longer temporary. National Electrical Code (NEC) does not allow extension cords in lieu of permanent wiring (NEC 400.8(1) – 2014 Version).

What gauge wire is a heavy duty extension cord?

A cord measuring 14 AWG is the thinnest we recommend—and at lengths of only 25 feet or shorter—and the much thicker 10 AWG is likely the thickest gauge you’ll find in an extension cord….Recommended wire gauge for extension cords.

Cord length	What thickness you need
100 feet	10/3 (10 AWG)

What does 18 AWG extension cord mean?

In the AWG rating system, the smaller the number the thicker the wire. For this reason, long extension cords have a lower capacity than shorter cords of the same AWG size. For example, an 18 AWG cord may only be rated for 5 to 7 amperes (amps) of load at a length of up to 25 feet.

Which is better 12 or 16 gauge extension cord?

16-Gauge Cords: Any 16-gauge cord between 0 and 100 feet long will adequately handle tool loads up to 10 amps. 12-Gauge Cords: If your tool load is between 10 and 15 amps and the length of the cord is 50 to 100 feet, you need a 12-gauge cord to safely power any tool. This is a great extension cord for many purposes.

What are the 3 wires in an extension cord?

The green wire is the ground wire, the white wire is the neutral wire, and the black wire is the hot wire. Light-duty interior extension cords often lack the ground wire, but if a ground wire is present, be sure to connect it.

Can a 12-gauge extension cord handle 20 amps?

To properly size an extension cord so your equipment is getting enough power, consider the distance you will run the cord and the amps that your equipment needs to run (found on cord). When using 100 feet extension cords, you’ll need a: 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps.

What happens when you plug in an extension cord?

An extension cord essentially is a bundle of insulated electrical wires with a plug on each end. Electrical current flowing through wires generates heat, and when too much current flows through a wire, it can overheat and melt the plastic insulation of the wires, causing short circuits and fires.

What does a 3 prong extension cord do?

3-prong electrical plug Extension cords allow the use of electricity remotely from an electrical outlet. Three wire extension cords have a heavy outer protective coating with three wires inside for positive, negative and grounding. Each internal wire has paper insulation around it and an additional protective coating.

How many amps can a 12 gauge extension cord handle?

Like an electrical wire, extension cords also have a size chart, which determines how many amps a particular AWG wire can handle. This is the only extension cord gauge chart you will need! The size chart below indicates that a 12-gauge aluminum wire is a safe choice for your 220V 20 amps at 167°F needs.

What kind of cord do I need for a 50 foot extension cord?

To get the same load rating with a 50-foot cord, the cord must have larger, 16 AWG wire. Because of the voltage drop, it’s best to use the shortest extension cord possible for the job at hand. Light-duty extension cords are those that resemble lamp wire cord.

Are extension cords bad for my electrical system?

However, regardless of the gauge or rating of the cord, an extension cord is a temporary solution, and is not meant to be used as a long-term extension of your household’s electrical system. Using extension cords properly is critical to your safety. With continuous use over time, an extension cord can rapidly deteriorate, creating a potentially dangerous electric shock or fire hazard .

What kind of extension cord should I use?

With simple devices, such as lamps, radios, televisions, and other electronics, the familiar basic household extension cord is perfectly acceptable in most cases. Usually, these basic extension cords use 16-gauge wire.

What extension cord to use?

Choose cords with polarized or three-prong plugs. For use with larger appliances, thick, round, low-gauge extension cords are best. For smaller appliances and electronics, you can use thin or flat cords.