Table of Contents
Our pick: U.S. Wire & Cable 50 FT. Extreme All-Weather Extension Cord. Also great: SJEOW heavy-duty extension cords. Photo: Sarah Kobos. Budget pick: Iron Forge Tools 12/3 SJTW Heavy Duty Yellow Outdoor Extension Cord. Photo: Sarah Kobos. Indoor pick: Cordinate Décor Extension Cord with 3 Grounded Outlets. Photo: Sarah Kobos.
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.
What gauge is a heavy duty extension cord?
A 10- to 12-gauge cord is for heavy and extra heavy duty applications (chainsaws, circular saws, shop vacs, air compressors, etc.). These are the heavier weight, and heavier duty cords designed for continual use on job sites, even in extreme weather, and are suitable for very high-amperage tools.
Which is better 12 gauge or 14 gauge extension cord?
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.
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.
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.
Which is better 14 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.
Can a 12 gauge extension cord handle 20 amps?
14 Gauge for 11-13 Amps. 12 Gauge for 14-15 Amps. 10 Gauge for 16-20 Amps.
How many watts can 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.
How far can you run 12 gauge extension cord?
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.
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.
What is a good extension cord?
A good extension cord should have a 15-amp power rating and 12-gauge wires, and be tested and approved by a third party—either UL or Intertek. It should have an elastomer sheath that makes it flexible enough to consistently lay flat on the ground and easy to coil up.
What does 12 gauge extension cord mean?
12 gauge=heavy duty. 10 gauge=very heavy duty. The longer the extension cord, the bigger the drop in amps. It’s important to use a cord which is a heavy enough gauge for the tool or appliance.
Can you use an extension cord permanently?
Conclusion. The authorities do not want people to use extension cords permanently because they present a fire, electrocution, and tripping hazard. If you are determined to use an extension cord over the long term, don’t cover it. You shouldn’t pass it through walls, ceilings, and floors.
Can 12 gauge wire handle 30 amps?
You should not use a 30-amp circuit breaker on a 12-gauge wire. The circuit breaker installed on a circuit is of a specific size to protect a certain wire gauge. This higher current can damage the thinner wire, melt the insulation, cause short circuits, fire, and even lethal shock.
What’s the difference between 14 gauge and 16 gauge?
14 gauge is thicker than 16 gauge. Bigger speakers or long distances will be better with thicker wire. Supposedly, the higher the gauge, the better the sound – but only to a point, as some wires loose contact or break off.
What is the difference between 14 AWG and 16 AWG?
The size of the wire in diameter. 14awg is larger in size than 16awg. The smaller the number the larger the diameter of wire. Larger wire is capable of handling more power with less resistance which helps to get clearer sound.
How far can you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit?
You can run a 12 gauge wire up to 70 feet on a 15 amp circuit. That number drops to 50 feet if you run 12 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit.
How much wattage can a 12 gauge extension cord handle?
Matching Extension Cord to Load Extension Cord Wire Gauges, Amperage Rating, and Wattage #18 5 Amps 600 Watts #16 7 Amps 840 Watts #14 12 Amps 1,440 Watts #12 16 Amps 1,920 Watts.
Can you connect a 14 gauge extension cord to a 12 gauge extension cord?
A 14 ga cord has more resistance than 12 ga so putting them together increases the resistance to about 2.5X so that’s bad. THere’s no way you can make the resistance per foot lower by chaining cords together. No.
