A wire gauge is nothing but the diameter of a wire. The selection of the wire gauge is subjective of its thickness. Smaller the number, the thicker the wire gauge; it’s that simple. 

Consider certain elements to determine a specific diameter for the extension cord. Then, you may proceed to ensure you have the correct specifications. Before all this, you should know what an extension cord is and its use.

An extension cord refers to placing non-conducive electrical wires together inside a box. Its primary purpose is to connect distant appliances or machines to the main switchboard when its pre-attached cable is too short. Therefore, extension cords come in varied lengths, types, and sizes to suit your needs. 

Moving on to the focus point, i.e., the factors you should keep in mind to select the wire gauge for the extension cord, take note of these handful tips to make an intelligent purchase.

Ranking for Extension Cords

The rating of extension cords is done according to the power it can support and the amount of electric current they can carry safely throughout any operation. The gauge of the wire determines both the elements of power and the nature of the current flow. The primary extension cord recommended for households uses a 16-Gauge Wire. Besides, it is advisable to use a smaller number gauge cord for heavy-duty machines like lawnmowers, say, 10 AWG. 

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Wire Gauge & Its Wattage Ranking

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To understand the wire gauge and the cord’s wattage rating, you must know the procedures/basis for ranking. The ranking for a wire gauge is done as per the American Wire Gauge (AWG) System. The AWG number is different for all wires based on the thickness variation. To analyze the suitability, check for gauge ranking, compare it with others, and match it with the use. Look for the load capacity in watts at the bottom or back of the electronic device. Further, you can proceed with calculating the perfect gauge in steps, such as:

• Sum up the overall wattage of the devices in use.
• Divide the total by 110, 110 being the standard voltage for a household.
• Lastly, round off to the nearest whole number.

The result would give you the cord gauge you require. Generally, people use a 12 gauge extension cord for most devices. And, for your reference, a 12 AWG cord implies 120-volt electricity is transferable to 120 -volt sockets. 

Amperage Rating

The term “Amperage” defines how much power (in amps) a cord can handle at a time. To make the current flow, ensure the cord’s amperage is equal to or more than the device’s. Any mismatch may damage the electric machine in use along with the wiring. 

You can identify the rating by the tag given in each extension cord and on the package. Speaking of the amperage rating, the wire’s diameter and length define it. The shorter the wire, the higher the cord’s rating. It is advisable to practice caution while using an extension, as a lower amp rating causes overheating of the wire, plug, or electric socket. Therefore, high-power yard appliances generally specify the minimum wire gauge for the cord in the instructions.

Length of the Cord

Moving ahead, you should know that the length of the cord is essential for making an apt choice of wire gauge for an extension cord.  Avoid any voltage drop because of any wrong selection. Here, voltage drop implies the amount of charge lost due to resistance in the wiring. The longer the cable, the more is the potential drop as there are chances of overheating. 

The length of the cord together with a specific amp allows you to comprehend the relation between wire gauge and amperage. For instance, a five-foot-long extension cord for a heavy-duty machine barely overheats. However, using a 50 ft. extension cable for the same purpose can be wrong. 

The Type

The generic division suggests two types of extension cords – indoor and outdoor, both having a different wire gauge with different detailing. The former has a thinner wire diameter, shorter cable, and less wattage than the outdoor cord. Eventually, you will find that the wire gauge of an outdoor extension cable is quite thick with a strong layer of protective covering. 

Over the years of innovation and development, outdoor extensions further diversify into three categories as per their usage, namely: 

• Rugged cords
• Occasional cords
• Frequent use cords

Purpose 

All the above elements (wire diameter, amp rating, length, or otherwise) are interlinked and used in different combinations for different appliances. Say, a 14-gauge extension cord will be more assertive with 12 Amps of power-handling capacity than an 18-gauge cord with five units of power. Thus, enabling the former to be suitable for heavy-duty drilling machines and the latter for medium-duty appliances (Household tools).

Warning 

Every product or service has a note of caution on its package or as a tag. Similarly, extension cords also come with a warning. Apart from the voltage drop, the extension cord can cause a fire hazard if covered beneath carpet flooring and by mats. Considering this concern, keep in mind the following guidelines:

• Unplug the cord when not in use.
• If you sense overheating of the cord, unplug immediately.
• Use outdoor extension cords only for outer use 
• Take precaution around the wet surface
• Try to arrange the connection close to the socket 

It’s a Wrap

Covering all the essentials, in the end, you need to check the wire gauge number and see whether it is long enough to meet your purpose. Besides, use the tips to choose an ideal wire gauge for your extension cord and initiate a seamless transmission of electric current.

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