How many amps can a 14 gauge extension cord handle?

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.

What is a 14 gauge extension cord good for?

Frequent use cords.

A 14-gauge cord is for medium or frequent duty applications (lawnmowers, power drills, table saws, television sets, etc.). These cords are also great for things like power tools, electric chainsaws, leaf or snow blowers, etc. They can handle larger tools and equipment and heavier use.

Can 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.

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 I use a 14 gauge extension cord for refrigerator?

Experts advise that the extension cord must be of the right length, voltage, and rating for the appliance to work properly. With no problem, you can connect your refrigerator to a power strip cord with conductors of 14 gauge or thicker-12 gauge. Most houses use 14 gauge wiring or better.

Amps, Gauges

What is a 14 gauge extension cord?

A lower AWG number indicates a thicker wire and a higher capacity. The lower the number, the higher the cord's capacity to deliver power. Gauge is typically listed along with the number of conducting wires in the cord. For example, a 14/3 cord contains 14-gauge wire and has three conductions inside.

How many watts can a 15 amp extension cord handle?

Most breakers are at 15 amps supplying 120 volts, or approximately 1800 watts.

How thick is a 14 gauge extension cord?

The most important thing is to consider the thickness and length. 12-gauge cords are thicker than 14-gauge. Note that 12-gauge steel sheets come with a thickness of 0.1084 inches, while the 14 gauge metal sheets are 0.0785 inches thick.

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).

Is a 13 amp extension cord enough for refrigerator?

Best Extension Cord for a Refrigerator

Extension cords with a lower gauge number—like 10 or 12 gauges—are considered heavy-duty cords because they have a higher capacity to deliver power. 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 use a 16 gauge extension cord for a refrigerator?

No don't use that 50 or 100 foot orange 16/3 cord from the garage. There should be a tag on the back of the fridge or possibly on its cord. This tag should specify its electrical requirements: some combination of amps, volts, and watts.

Can I run a fridge off an extension cord?

While most small appliances can be plugged in to an extension cord with no problem, that isn't the case with a refrigerator. Refrigerators are huge and need a lot of energy to run and thus a regular extension cord may not be able to take on the job and be a fire hazard to boot.

At what amperage does a 15 amp breaker trip?

The standard for most household circuits are rated either 15 amps or 20 amps. An important note to remember is that circuit breakers can only handle about 80% of their overall amperage. That means a 15-amp circuit breaker can handle around 12-amps and a 20-amp circuit breaker can handle about 16 amps.

How do I know what amp my extension cord is?

Extension cord amp ratings are shown on the package and is determined by the wire diameter and length. For cords of the same length, the larger wire diameter, the higher the amps rating. Shorter wires tend to have a higher amp rating. Longer wires tend to have a lower amp rating.

Which is better 12 gauge or 14 gauge?

The first thing to understand is the gauge system. Gauge is the measurement used to measure the thickness of steel. In the gauge system the higher the number the thinner the steel. As an example, 12 gauge steel is thicker and stronger than 14 gauge steel.

What gauge is a 30 amp extension cord?

That's why you really need at least a 10-gauge extension cord for any 30-amp circuit. As you can see from the chart above, it's rated for 30 amperes of current so it will have much less voltage drop (easily half as much as a 14 gauge cable with the same current). Plus there will be much less heating.

Is a 12 gauge extension cord heavy duty?

This outdoor extension cord takes functionality to the next level. It comes 25 feet in length that uses a 12-gauge wire, which is perfect for heavy-duty applications.

Should a freezer be plugged into an extension cord?

GE strongly recommends that an extension cord not be used with a freezer due to the potential safety hazards under certain conditions.

What gauge extension cord do I need for a freezer?

A typical refrigerator or freezer draws 15 amps of current at 120 volts, and that amount of current calls for a 14-gauge cable at a minimum. However, 12-gauge cable is safer because refrigerator and freezer compressors can draw more than the rated current every time they cycle on.

How many amps does a refrigerator pull?

The average refrigerator uses 725 watts of power and 10 to 20 amps. This can equate to roughly 10 percent of your home's total energy consumption.