Extension Cord Gauge Guide – Learn to Choose Correctly

Imagine, if you will, trying to squeeze an elephant through a cat door. It's not going to work, right? The same principle applies when you're trying to funnel electrical current through an extension cord that's not built to handle it. Choosing the perfect gauge and the right size extension cord for your electrical needs is crucial to ensuring efficiency and, more importantly, safety. But fear not, this extension cord gauge guide will help you find the best extension cord for your project.

First things first, what exactly is wire gauge? Extension cords have an AWG (American Wire Gauge) rating, often shortened to just gauge. The AWG rating is a standardized rating for measuring electrical wire. In the simplest terms, gauge refers to the thickness of the wire in the cord.

Here's where it gets a bit counter-intuitive: the lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire. So, a 10-gauge wire is much thicker than a 16-gauge wire. Additionally, a lower number indicates that the cord can deliver more power.

Please note: AWG refers to the gauge. This means that a 14-gauge extension cord and 14 AWG extension cord are the same thing.

The gauge of an extension cord affects how much electrical current (measured in amperes, or 'amps') it can safely carry. In other words, the gauge size of the extension cord determines how much power can flow without damaging the cord.

Thicker wires (lower gauge) can carry more current without overheating. Using an extension cord with too high a gauge (thinner wire) for a device that draws a lot of power can lead to overheating and potentially cause a fire.

Most appliances specify their power requirements either in watts or amps. If it's in watts, you can convert this to amps by dividing the wattage by the voltage (generally 120 volts in the U.S.).

Once you have the amps, you can match it to the correct wire gauge. For example, for small appliances drawing up to 13 amps like lamps or clocks, a 16-gauge cord should suffice. For larger appliances that draw up to 15 amps like a refrigerator or a portable heater, a 14-gauge cord would be safer. Tools or appliances that require up to 20 amps like a shop vacuum or a circular saw should go with a 12-gauge or 10-gauge extension cord.

The gauge can also indicate if the extension cord is good for light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty use.

Here's a breakdown of some common wire sizes for certain extension cords:

• Light-duty extension cords: 18 AWG, 16 AWG, 14 AWG
• Medium-duty extension cords: 16 AWG, 14 AWG, 12 AWG
• Heavy-duty extension cords: 14 AWG, 12 AWG, 10 AWG

However, other factors go into which size and type of extension cord would work best for your project.

One more factor to consider is cord length. The longer an extension cord, the more resistance it offers to the current, and the less power reaches the other end. A shorter cord means there is less electrical resistance while longer cords mean more resistance.

If you're using longer extension cords (over 100 feet), you may need to step down a gauge (i.e., use a thicker wire) to ensure enough power gets through.

For best results, use the shortest length of the extension cord that you can. Too much resistance can cause voltage drops. Voltage drop refers to when the voltage at the end of the cable is lower than the voltage at the beginning. Voltage drop means that the tools or appliances hooked up to the extension cord can't run at full speed. It can also generate heat which damages the tools over time.

Certain extension cords, like those designed for industrial use, and other electrical cables have additional designations included on the jacket of the cable. These designations tell you more about the protections and other aspects that the extension cord has.

While there are more letters, these are some common ones you might come across:

• S - service cord rated for 600V service
• O - oil resistant outer jacket
• W - weather resistance
• J - sometimes referred to as SJ or a "Junior Jacket," these cables are rated for 300V service
• T - thermoplastic jacket. These jackets are made with PVC
• E - thermoplastic elastomer jacket. These jackets are made with thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)
• OO - oil resistant inside both the insulation and outer jacket

So, for example, you might come across the letters "SEOW" on the jacket. What does it mean? The "S" means it has a 600V service cord. The "E" means it has a thermoplastic elastomer jacket. The "O" means the outer jacket is oil resistant. And the "W" means it's weather resistant.

Extension cords are an easy way to temporarily supply power to your power tools and other equipment. However, improperly using an extension cord can pose both a safety hazard and a fire hazard.

Always remember to check the amperage rating of your extension cord to ensure it matches or exceeds the power needs of the appliance you're using. And remember, extension cords are intended as temporary solutions. For long-term use, consider having additional outlets installed by a professional instead of relying on extension cords.

Additionally, never plug an extension cord into another extension cord. Known as daisy-chaining, this can cause the extension cords to overload, making them overheat, and creating a fire hazard.

Keep the following safety tips in mind:

• Only use extension cords for temporary use. They should not be used as a permanent solution.
• Never daisy-chain them together.
• Only use extension cords where they are properly rated. This means you should only use indoor cords indoors. Never use indoor cords outside. If you plan to use an extension cable or cord outside, choose one that is designed for outdoor use.
• Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) when using extension cords in wet or damp locations.
• Do not use an extension cord that feels hot to the touch.
• Do not use a damaged extension cord.

This is not a complete list of all the safety tips you should follow but please keep these in mind when using extension cords.

Like power strips, surge protectors have additional outlets. However, they also protect against power surges. If you plan to plug in electrical devices, you may want a grounded or ground plug. Use a surge protector when you need to protect your devices.

An extension cord, sometimes called an extension cable, is an electrical cable that allows you to use an appliance or power tool a certain distance away from a power source. This means that you can use electrical devices, power tools, equipment, and other appliances or devices without having to be too close to a nearby outlet. Just plug the appropriately sized extension cord into the power source and connect the electrical device to the extension cord to send power to the equipment.

Power strips are not the same as extension cords. You can use power strips to add additional outlets from a single source. They usually cannot extend the length of the cord, only add additional outlets. So, if you need multiple outlets but do not need to extend the length of the cord away from the outlet, choose a power strip.

Extension cords, however, only have a socket on one end and an electrical plug on the other end. If you need to connect devices and appliances to an outlet further away, use an extension cord instead of a power strip.

Indoor extension cords differ from outdoor extension cords based on their construction. Often, extension cords for indoor use are thinner than outdoor ones. Extension cords designed for indoor use are not weather resistant. This means that indoor cords cannot withstand the same amount or type of weather that outdoor cords can. Indoor cords are often available in grounded and non-grounded options. They are typically designed for use with small appliances.

You can use an extension cord outside if it's weather resistant. All-weather extension cords mean that they are weather resistant in all types of weather, even subfreezing temperatures. These cords are often designed for general purpose use and have a lighted connector that allows you to see it at night.

You can also find contractor grade or industrial cord sets designed for demanding jobs. These cords offer additional protections that allow them to deal with extreme temperatures. They also have a higher level of abrasion resistance as well as resistance to certain oils and chemicals.

Selecting the right extension cord gauge might feel as tricky as threading a needle while riding a rollercoaster. But with this guide in hand, you'll be choosing cords with the perfect gauge for your needs, ensuring a safe and efficient power supply for all your electrical devices. Now that's a bright idea!