Question: What Does 16 3 Extension Cord Mean

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Which is better 12 or 16 gauge extension cord?

Within 50 feet of your outlet, use a 16-gauge light-duty cord for blowers. For a higher Amp or a greater distance from the outlet, go with a 14-gauge medium-duty cord. Look for a “W” on the jacket if the cord is rated for outdoor use.

What does 16 3 SJTW mean on an extension cord?

SJTW is an industry abbreviation used on wire and cable. S is for service; J for junior (which means hard service instead of extra hard); T is the coating (thermoplastic/vinyl); W is weather approved. It is a hard service, thermoplastic cable rated for 300V and approved for outdoor use.

What is a 16 gauge extension cord good for?

Sixteen-gauge cords are low wattage and are intended for use with small appliances such as portable fans, alarm clocks, table lamps, or floor lamps (note: an electronic device such as a TV or computer should be connected to a surge protector).

How many amps can a 16 gauge extension cord carry?

16 Gauge for 1-10 Amps. 14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps. 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps.

What is the most heavy duty extension cord?

Best overall: Coleman 14 Gauge 100 Ft. Extension Cord. Best with a power strip: Anker Power Strip Extension Cord. Best heavy-duty extension cord: Watt’s Wire 14-Gauge Extension Cord.

How many watts can a 16 3 extension cord handle?

As the cord gets longer, the current carrying capacity of the cord gets lower. For example, a 16 gauge extension cord less than 50 feet in length can power a 1625 watt (W) appliance. A 16 gauge cord that is longer than 50 feet in length can only power an appliance up to 1250W.

What is the difference between SJT and SJTW?

Well, what’s the difference, then? The greatest difference between SJTOW and SJOOW lies in the makeup of the cable. The “T” in SJTOW means thermoplastic materials in the jacket as well as insulation. This unique thermoplastic material used in our SJTOW is made of PVC.

What happens if extension cord is too long?

An improperly sized extension cord can cause a tool or appliance motor to burn out if allowed to run for too long. It can also cause a dangerous situation if it overheats. There are two factors: cord length and thickness. The thicker the copper wire, the more electricity it can carry.

What do the numbers on my extension cord mean?

Larger numbers mean smaller wires, which in turn means it can carry less power. 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.

Which is better 14 or 16-gauge extension cord?

Is 16-gauge extension cord good for Christmas lights?

For running Christmas lights, you want to make sure that any cord you use is rated for outdoor use. Pick a 16-gauge extension cord for light runs of 25 feet or less and go with a heavier duty 14-gauge cord for runs over 25 feet. Devices that generate heat, such as space heaters, should not be used with extension cords.

Do extension cords use more electricity?

The longer the extension cord, the more power it takes to run to the appliance. An appliance plugged in using an extension cord will use more electricity than if it was just plugged into the wall. That being said, you shouldn’t leave outdoor extension cords plugged in, even the waterproof type.

What is the difference between 12 gauge and 14 gauge extension cords?

For 100 feet, the 14 gauge cord works for 11-13 Amps, while the 12 gauge cord is best suited for 14-15 amps. If your cord is 150 feet long, the 14 gauge is best suited for 1-7 Amps, whereas the 12 gauge will support 8-10 Amps. This shows that the extension cord’s length also plays a part in the power it helps safely.

Do extension cords reduce power?

Yes, it is less powerful. An extension cord (and any length of conductor) has a resistance. That resistance will reduce the voltage delivered and thus reduce the power delivered – its basic Ohm’s Law. The practical effect of this is negligible under essentially all situations, but it is real none the less.

Which is better 10 gauge or 12 gauge extension cord?

Round down = 10 Gauge. Most devices will do fine with 12 gauge extension cords. Power hungry devices such as lawnmowers, heavy machines, require a lower gauge such as 10AWG. Keep in mind, the lower the gauge means the thicker the cord.

Can you plug a refrigerator into a heavy-duty extension cord?

Using a grounded extension cord with a three-prong plug is always the best choice for major appliances including refrigerators. Since the 10-gauge cord is an extra heavy-duty extension, it makes the best choice for big power loads like a refrigerator.

Can I plug an extension cord into a surge protector?

Extension cords must be plugged directly into wall outlets. Do not “daisy chain,” that is, plug extension cords into surge protectors or other extension cords (see photo 9 below). Never use a damaged extension cord.

Is it OK to use an extension cord with a TV?

Yes you may plug the TV using an extension cord.. as long as the extension cord is larger and fatter than power cord. The TV set does not consume much power anyway and therefore safe to use an extension cord..

How many amps can a cheap extension cord handle?

A short 12 gauge extension cord of 50 ft or less can handle up to 20 amps intermittently. Anything over 50 ft should be limited to around 15 amps. Under those loads the cord should always be fully unrolled and checked frequently for heat, particularly at the connections.

Can I use a heavy duty extension cord with space heater?

A heavy duty extension cord made with 12 gauge wire, rated for 20 amperes, not exceeding a length of 20 feet should be safe to use with most standard, 120 VAC plug-in space heaters.

How many watts is too much for an outlet?

As a rule of thumb, it’s safest to stick to a maximum load of 1,500 watts per outlet or circuit. The number of things you can plug into one outlet depends on the wattage of each device or appliance you want to plug in.