Basic Electrical Wiring Question

I had to relocate the microwave (and the cart on which it sits) to the next room for a day or two while we have the kitchen flooring redone by an experienced friend. My wife still needs to use the microwave rated at 14.0 amps. I require an extension cord to reach the wall outlet. I have a 50-ft outdoor extension cord rated for 300V, and it is a 16 AWG, 3-conductor cable. There is no indication of max amps, but surely some EE can use this information to tell me if this extension cord safe to use for this application? (I am in the US, so I’d assume 120V, 60 Hz power supply.)

Your thoughts? :dubious:

16 AWG is not big enough. You need at least 12 AWG for 14A.

One last thought: If I buy a 25-ft 16 AWG, would that meet the need?

16 AWG is rated for 13 amps so it would not be recommended.

Again a 25 foot 16AWG is also too small.

OK, thanks. (So, the length would have to drop dramatically, I wager? (…Holding AWG constant.)

Buy what’s referred to as an air conditioner extension cord. And as short as possible. They are usually 14AWG and you might find one that’s 12AWG.

You need a #14 AWG cord to safely do this. Often listed as “heavy duty” or “appliance” extension cords. Keep it as short as possible, 12-15 feet if possible. (Or look for a different outlet that is closer to the temporary location.)

You can’t get a #16 AWG cord rated to carry this, no matter how short you make it. (But there is a safety factor built into AWG ratings, so a #16 extension cord would probably work, especially as a microwave isn’t typically on for more than a few minutes.)

Rule of thumb is 14 ga for 15 amp circuits and 12 ga. for 20 amp which covers most residential circuits/uses. So 16 gauge would never be rated for 14 amps.

a 12 gage extention cord is rated at only 15 amps.

DONOT GET A 14 gage. that is unless you do not mind a little heat being added to your home.

Not questioning you, but why can the 12 gauge wires in the walls of my home carry 20amps, but the extension cord with the same sized wire carry only 15?

The rating for extension cords also includes the plug and socket. That, combined with the thicker jacket, derate that current-carrying capacity of the cable.

And add that in romex or conduit the wires are not tightly wrapped together.