
W indicates that the extension cord is weather-resistant, making it acceptable for outdoor use. General extension cords are usually not ranked for heavy-duty use. If no other letters are present, this extension cord is not acceptable for outdoor use and is not resistant to oil. The letter S indicates that the extension cord is indicated for general use without any specific characteristics. 14 AWG is for 25-feet length, 12 AWG is for 50-feet cords, and 10 AWG is for 100-feet cords. They are available in sizes between 14 AWG and 10 AWG. The ampacity of these cables is up to 15 Amps. Heavy-duty extension cords are for heavy-duty appliances, including space heaters and other types of heaters. Applications of Heavy-Duty Extension Cords The 16 AWG version is for cords up to 25 feet, the 14 AWG version is for cords up to 50 feet, and the 12 AWG is up to 100 feet. Medium-duty extension cords are allowed in 16 AWG to 12 AWG. However, they are not allowed for heavy-duty appliances. They are usually used with standard devices such as television, speakers, computers, media players, etc. Regular-duty extension cords are made from similar materials as light extension cords, but they have a grounding conductor that makes them safer in a variety of circumstances for 10 Amps and under. Applications of Medium-Duty Extension Cords Finally, the length of 100 feet means that 14 AWG should be used. For lengths up to 50 feet, 16 AWG is a preferable gauge. If the cord is up to 25 feet long, choose 18 AWG wire. The smaller the length, the higher the gauge number. The choice of gauge depends on how long the cable is expected to run. Gauges of Light-Duty Extension CordsĬommon sizes of light-duty extension cords are 18 AWG, 16 AWG, and 14 AWG. Light-duty extension cables are used with light-duty equipment, such as lamps, clocks, chargers, and others, with an ampacity no bigger than 7 Amps. Some of the appliances that are banned from use with the extension cord are irons, space heaters, boilers, and furnaces. In particular, they are banned from using the heating equipment. The light-duty extension cords are not allowed for anything else other than the light-duty service. Light-duty extension cords bear a resemblance to lamp wire cords used in lighting.
#EXTENSION CORD DROPOVER CODE#
When it comes to the letter code used with this subtype of extension cord, it is more often the letter S that signals the cable is intended for general use. These cables usually have no grounding wire, making safety concerns associated with them more prominent. This is also the cheapest type of extension cord. Light-duty extension cords are the most primitive form of the extension cord that is not designated for many applications. Applications of Light-Duty Extension Cords Types Of Extension Cords By Applications: Light-Duty, Medium-Duty, Heavy-Dutyĭepending on which applications are allowed, extension cords can be divided into light-duty, regular-duty, and heavy-duty.


Extension cords are an interesting breed among all wires and cables- they are not regular power cables per se, but most of us still use them at home almost daily.
