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Can you connect a 14 gauge extension cord to a 12 gauge extension cord?
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Yes, as long as the fuse or circuit breaker is rated for the smallest wire in the circuit, which in this case appears to be the 14 guage. Suppose the 14 guage is rated for 15 amps and the the 12 guage is rated for 20, and there is a 20-amp breaker on the circuit. Now suppose you have a short that draws 18 amps. The 14 guage wire will burn and catch fire, yet the breaker will not trip. That could be dangerous.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoThe electrical code allows it but but you will get extra attention from an electrical inspector.
What you absolutely must not do is to protect that circuit with a 20 amp breaker. If you run 14 gauge out to something and through some fault the load is 16 to 20 amps then the 14 gauge section will heat up and the breaker will not trip. It's a good way to start a fire.
Thus you need to protect the circuit with a 15 amp breaker. 12 to 14 is common in the lighting circuits of older houses that have been remodeled. For example, the original wiring for the lights may be 14 gauge and you simply don't want to tear up the walls/ceilings to pull new wire. In that case you install 12 gauge back to the breaker panel and connect the original 14 gauge wiring to it.
Wiki User
∙ 13y agoYou can connect a 10 gauge to extend a hot 14 gauge, but not vice versa. The protecting breaker dictates the minimum size of wire which in this case is 14 gauge protected by a 15A breaker. The 10 gauge is good to 30A in a typical residential installation.
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago12 gauge wire is nominally sized for 20 amps and 14 gauge is sized for 15 amps. The breaker protecting any situation where there are mixed sizes, must protect the smallest capacity wire. So if you have a 15 amp breaker you can mix 12 and 14 gauge wire. If you have a 20 amp breaker you can't.
Additional informationUsing a 14 gauge wire on a 20 amp circuit is a fire hazard and is in violation of all local building codes in the USA.Wiki User
∙ 14y agoan #8 wire can carry more current safely than a #12. use the same size wire Please
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoYes, but the breaker that protects the wire size has to be sized to the smaller of the two wires. Also the splice has to be made in a junction box that can be fitted with a cover.
Wiki User
∙ 14y agoYes. When you mix conductor sizes you have to use the conduit fill rule rather that going to a table for same size conductors in a conduit.
Anonymous
can a 12 and 14 gauge extension cord be connected
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How do you use an extension cord to temporarily run the filter?
It is never as good idea to run an extension cord to a high drain appliance like an electric motor. However if you must for a temporary situation.. use a good 10 or 12 gauge heavy cord and not more than like 25 feet.. DO NOT use a cheap 16 Ga cord from walmart... your pump and the cord will get VERY hot and that can be dangerous for both you and the pump
What size extension cord should you use for your 120 volt 1725 watt iron?
#16 <<>> To load an extension cord to 1725 watts depending on the length of the cord, the bare minimum should be #14. A better size cord and my recommendation would be a #12 wire size extension cord.
14 gauge extension cord will this work for microwave?
yes but could get hot or break the microwave.Look to see how many amps your microwave is.Also figure out what size breaker the outlet you are using is onlarger the wire in ext. cord the better especially at long distances.14 gauge = 15 amps12 gauge = 20 amps15 amp outlet with 12 gauge cord = 15 ampsI would use a 20 amp outlet with a 12 gauge ext. cordif going a long distance say 100 feet than better to have 10 gauge on 20 amp.your voltage goes down the longer the cord but with bigger wire it does not drop as fast.
How long can you run an electric extension cord?
It depends on the gauge of the wire, the length and the total current draw of the appliances. You said "heavy duty outdoor extension cord" so I'll assume 12 gauge wire. You can run a MAXIMUM of 20 amps for a MAXIMUM of 100 Ft on that wire. If the current draw goes up, so should the wire size. If the distance goes up, so should the wire size. 10 Ga wire - 30 amps for 100 Ft.
Can a 15 amp extension cord be plugged into a 20 amp breaker?
A 15 Amp extension cord can be plugged into a 20 Amp circuit. It is important that what you're extending does not require more then 10-12 Amps.
When should you use a 10 gauge Extension Cord or a 12 gauge Extension Cord in construction?
When the outlet is more than 40 feet away, or when you are operating 2 or more tools from it.
Can you connect a 6 outlet power bar to an extension cord?
There are several variables:First and most important, what will be the current draw? If the total number of amps exceeds the rating of either the power strip or the extension cord you're creating a fire hazard.Second, the wire gauge and length of the extension are important. You will loose voltage over distance and that is a function of the current draw, wire type and wire gauge. If you're trying to run 20 amps, don't use any less than a 12 gauge extension cord up to a maximum of 100 Ft. 15 amps, minimum 14 gauge.
What can I do about new Friedrich air conditioner's cord which is 2 feet too short looks ugly in reaching outlet does a 9' extension cord risk harming the unit violate the warranty?
I don't know about the warranty, but the unit will run fine using an extension cord IF you buy one that is heavy-duty. Look for a cord that is 12 gauge or even 10 gauge. If you use a 14, 16, or 18 gauge cord (these may be too small), the unit could be damaged.
How do you use an extension cord to temporarily run the filter?
It is never as good idea to run an extension cord to a high drain appliance like an electric motor. However if you must for a temporary situation.. use a good 10 or 12 gauge heavy cord and not more than like 25 feet.. DO NOT use a cheap 16 Ga cord from walmart... your pump and the cord will get VERY hot and that can be dangerous for both you and the pump
What size extension cord should you use for your 120 volt 1725 watt iron?
#16 <<>> To load an extension cord to 1725 watts depending on the length of the cord, the bare minimum should be #14. A better size cord and my recommendation would be a #12 wire size extension cord.
14 gauge extension cord will this work for microwave?
yes but could get hot or break the microwave.Look to see how many amps your microwave is.Also figure out what size breaker the outlet you are using is onlarger the wire in ext. cord the better especially at long distances.14 gauge = 15 amps12 gauge = 20 amps15 amp outlet with 12 gauge cord = 15 ampsI would use a 20 amp outlet with a 12 gauge ext. cordif going a long distance say 100 feet than better to have 10 gauge on 20 amp.your voltage goes down the longer the cord but with bigger wire it does not drop as fast.
How long can you run an electric extension cord?
It depends on the gauge of the wire, the length and the total current draw of the appliances. You said "heavy duty outdoor extension cord" so I'll assume 12 gauge wire. You can run a MAXIMUM of 20 amps for a MAXIMUM of 100 Ft on that wire. If the current draw goes up, so should the wire size. If the distance goes up, so should the wire size. 10 Ga wire - 30 amps for 100 Ft.
How many amps will a 12 3 extension cord handle?
A #12 copper wire is rated at 20 amps. On an extension cord, unless it has user installed ends, the rating of the three blade cap is only 15 amps. Either way the extension cord should only be loaded up to 80% of the wire rating. 20 x .8 = 16, 15 x .8 = 12.
What qauge extension cord is needed for a block heater?
I would use a 12/3 cord especially if your going 50ft or more from the outlet.
Can you use an extension cord for a window air conditioner?
Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.
Can you use an extension cord with a window air conditioner unit?
Yes, but be sure it is of sufficient rating to handle the current. Air conditioners typically use a large amount of electrical current, and so the ampere rating of the cord needs to be high enough not to cause appreciable heating or failure of the cord. Also, the longer the extension cord, the heavier its gauge needs to be, as its resistance goes up in direct relationship to its length. If the resistance of the extension cord gets too high, the compressor motor will see insufficient voltage to start up reliably and will run poorly or not at all. Look for an "appliance extension cord" when you go to the store. They are easily distinguishable from ordinary lamp extension cords by their heavier weight cable and they're almost always equipped with a 3-prong plug and receptacle. Keep the extension cord run from the outlet to the air conditioner as short as practical -- less than 12 ft (4 meters), if you can.
Can a 15 amp extension cord be plugged into a 20 amp breaker?
A 15 Amp extension cord can be plugged into a 20 Amp circuit. It is important that what you're extending does not require more then 10-12 Amps.
