What is power cord length?

The CA248 is a standard six foot (72 inches) US power cord that plugs into any standard desktop power supply rated to 120V AC.

What does power cord length mean?

Cord length and thickness will tell you how much power your extension cord can handle. Resistance increases with the length of the cord. Resistance decreases with diameter. This means the longer your cord the thicker the wire is required to handle a full rating.

How do you measure power cord length?

Some measure the hose length. We prefer to go with the overall length, and by that we mean we measure from copper terminal flare to the terminal flare edge on the other side of the cable. This flare-to-flare method is an accurate means of determining exactly what length you need.

Do I need 12 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.

Does a longer cord mean less power?

Cord thickness in the US is generally listed in terms of gauge, or AWG. Larger numbers mean smaller wires, which in turn means it can carry less power.

Amps, Gauges & Length | The Importance of Extension Cords

Does the length of the electric cord matter?

You should use the shortest extension cord possible that will reach where the operator is trying to go. In most cases, the extension cord should never be the same length as the power cord. Extension cords have resistance. Longer wires mean more resistance and less power getting through to your equipment.

Does the length of a charger cord matter?

Yes, the longer the cable, the slower the charge if maximum current is being transferred on a given cable size.

What can be run on a 12 gauge extension cord?

12-gauge extension cords are used for most tools and high power appliances. A 12 gauge extension cord rated at 20 amps is a versatile extension for both indoor and outdoor use. Over 100-feet, it can safely handle 16 amps. It lets you run a single high-wattage power tool or two to three smaller tools or appliances.

What is the proper size extension cord?

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.

Does a longer cord draw more power?

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. For small items, this increase is negligible, but it will add up over time for more significant things.

Do I need 10 or 12 gauge extension cord?

12 gauge for up to 15 amps; 10 gauge for up to 20 amps.

What happens if my 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. How can you prevent this from happening?

What is the difference between 14 gauge and 18 gauge power cord?

Choosing Electrical Wire Size

18-gauge are used for low-voltage lighting and lamp cords in 10 amps. 16-gauge are used for light-duty extension cords supporting 13 amps. 14-gauge are usedfor light fixtures, lamps, lighting circuits with 15 amps.

Which is better 12 or 16 gauge extension cord?

The lower the number, the thicker the wire, or bundle of wire, and the thicker the wire, the more watts you can expect to power through it. So a 10-12 gauge cord would be a heavier duty cord than a 16-gauge cord, which would be a lightweight cord typically used for less energy demanding applications.

Which is better 14 or 16 gauge extension cord?

This is another area that defines a good, better and best extension cord. A 16 AWG extension cord will drop from 13 amps to 10 amps after 50ft., a 14 AWG extension cord will drop from 15 amps to 13 amps after 50ft, a 12 AWG extension cord does not drop in amperage from 50ft. to 100ft.

What should not be plugged into an extension cord?

Larger appliances, such as microwaves and refrigerators, may not be plugged into a power strip or extension cord. Such appliances must be plugged directly into a properly installed outlet.

What is a 10 gauge extension cord used for?

The lighted ten gauge extension cord is ideal for running power to a high-wattage tool or appliance outdoors from a generator. It is safe for cold weather and moisture, making it a good fit for those powering their homes during a blackout or similar power failure as well.

How long is a 12 gauge extension cord?

15 ft - 12 Gauge Heavy Duty Lighted SJTW Indoor/Outdoor Black Extension Cord by Watt's Wire - 15' 12-Gauge Grounded 15-Amp Power-Cord (15 Foot 12-Awg Black)

What is the normal length charger cord?

Length: The standard length for a charging cable is 3-feet, but almost all of our picks are available in a variety of sizes — in some cases both longer and shorter — so you can find the one that works best in your situation.

Does cable length affect power?

The power drop or line loss in a wire depends on the wire length, size, and the current running through the wire. Larger wires have less resistance and can transmit more power without large losses. Losses in smaller wire remain low if the amount of power transmitted is small, or if the wire is not very long.

What is the maximum length of charging cable?

The maximum recommended cable length for USB 2.0, is five meters, or around 16 feet. That's actually the longest maximum length of any standard, passive USB cable specification, with USB 1.0 cables restricted to just three meters.

What is the difference between a power cord and an extension cord?

The main difference between a power strip and an extension cord is their intended use. A power strip is used to add additional outlets from a single source. An extension cord is used to connect devices placed far from outlets.

Are shorter extension cords better?

Every extra foot of cord increases the electrical resistance. This decreases the power the cord can deliver to connected devices. For best results, use the shortest extension cord possible. Tip: If you're replacing an old cord, look for the AWG number printed on the jacket to select a new cord with the same gauge.

How much power do you lose in a 100 ft extension cord?

If you want to run a 100-foot long extension cord, you have to take into account the fact that you're essentially creating a huge resistor. With that in mind, you typically don't see 100-foot cords exceeding 15-amp (15A) capacity. *Yields a 5% voltage drop—the maximum allowed in our calculations.