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In North America the code book only recognizes #14 wire and larger for home wiring installations.
Many extension cords are 16 gauge. I don't know why. This would seem to be a fire hazard on a 15 or 20 amp circuit. I recommend you spend a little more and buy a 14 or 12 gauge extension cord. With a 12 gauge cord you never have to question whether or not the size is sufficiently safe.
Wiki User
∙ 10y ago
Wiki User
∙ 10y agoIn North America the code book only recognizes #14 wire and larger for home wiring installations. So to answer the question, no it is not safe to use #16 wire because the smallest breaker that will fit into a distribution panel is rated at 15 amps. That is higher than the rated capacity of a #16 wire.
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Is 8 gauge weld wire fencing stronger than 10 gauge wire?
Wire gauges are defined in such a way that the lower the gauge, the thicker the wire. So, 8 gauge wire is thicker than 10 gauge wire.
What is the max safe amps for 14 gauge wire?
You should never try to use more than 15 amps through a 14 gauge wire.
Can you splice a small length of 16 gauge wire to 18 gauge wire for a repair?
Yes, you splice a small length of 16 gauge wire to 18 gauge wire for a repair.
Is it safe to parallel 10 gauge wire for 60 amps?
The code states that no wires smaller that #2 can be paralleled.
Which awg wire gauge indicates the smallest wire diameter?
The larger the wire gauge, the smaller the diameter. 12 gauge is bigger than 14 gauge.
Does Home Depot have gauge wire?
Yes, they sell just about in home wire you will need.
Is 22 gauge speaker wire for surround sound work?
It is better to use 16 gauge or 14 gauge speaker wire for your home theater applications.
Can electricity move faster through thick or thin wires?
No, it moves at the same speed regardless of the wire gauge.
Is it safe to use 10 gauge wire on a 20 amp breaker for a microwave?
No, 10 gauge wire requires the use of a 30 amp breaker. A 20 amp breaker is only used on 12 gauge wire.
How big is 6 gauge wire?
The size of the wire is stated by its gauge under American Wire Gauge. Six gauge wire is size 6 AWG.
Is 8 gauge weld wire fencing stronger than 10 gauge wire?
Wire gauges are defined in such a way that the lower the gauge, the thicker the wire. So, 8 gauge wire is thicker than 10 gauge wire.
What is the max safe amps for 14 gauge wire?
You should never try to use more than 15 amps through a 14 gauge wire.
If you were to use two different gauge sizes of wire per leg of a three phase electricity installation would the smaller gauge wire of the parallel set get hotter than the larger size wire of that set?
Yes, because a thinner wire has higher resistance and dissipates more energy as heat.
Is a 6 gauge wire larger than a 12 gauge wire?
Yes, the smaller gauge number, the larger the wire is.
Can you splice a small length of 16 gauge wire to 18 gauge wire for a repair?
Yes, you splice a small length of 16 gauge wire to 18 gauge wire for a repair.
Is it safe to parallel 10 gauge wire for 60 amps?
The code states that no wires smaller that #2 can be paralleled.
Is copper wire measured in circular mills?
Sometimes. Circular mills is a way of measuring wire size. It's a measurement of area. It's used to state the cross sectional area of round wire, because the current (electricity) carrying ability of wire is related to this area. In the U.S. wire gauge (18 gauge, 14 gauge, etc.) is used to state wire sizes until they become large. Large sizes (larger than 0000 gauge maybe) are stated in circular mills, but the size of any wire could be stated in circular mills.
