Davis County Clipper | 1984-05-30 | Page 19 | Choosing Extension Cord

i Choosing Extension Cord Safetyand efficiency with power wis demand a properly sized ex-tasion ex-tasion cord. AS THE load (in amps) in-aeases, in-aeases, sodoes the wire size in the cord. As the distance increases (length (cord needed), so does the wire iiiiin the cord. "PUT THEM both together and jouquickly run out of options for a Sffi sized (usually the cheapest) oteion cord, says Von Jarrett, Extension agricultural engineer at Utah State University. "The electrical appliance will have its amperage stamped on the name plate. Using this as a guide, visualize the length of the cord you will be using. Buy the cord of the correct size to safely carry the load, Jarrett advises. IF THE nameplate amps are 0-3 or 3-6, Jarrett recommends 1 6 gage wire size minimum for 25, 50 and 100 foot cords, and 14 gage wire size for 150 foot cord. For nameplate amps of 6-8, 8-10 and 10-12 use 16 gage wire size for 25 and 50 foot cords, 14 for 100 foot cords and 12 for 150 foot cords. FOR AMPS of 12-16, use 14 gage wire size for 25 foot cords and 12 for 50 foot cords. Longer cords are not recommended at this amperage. For 16-20 amps, use 12 gage wire for 25 foot cords and 10 gage wire for 50 foot cords. Longer cords are not recommended for this amperage amper-age either, Jarrett cautions.