Difference Between Light Duty And Heavy Duty Power Cord

A power cord comprises insulating wires that distribute current when plugged into a power source. The current is carried as heat and overheats if excessive current is drawn through the wire. The excess heat melts the wire leading to a short circuit and fires. If you load a power cord beyond its safe load capacity, the outcome can be hazardous. Knowing the difference between these cords can prevent accidents. This article explains the differences between light-duty and heavy-duty power cords.

Light duty power cords are meant for indoor use. The cord is connected inside the home or office where the current and work duty is low. Light duty power cords are typically manufactured for low amperage devices like lamps, computers, gadgets, and electronic devices. Heavy-duty power code is mainly designed for outdoor use because they can withstand conditions that may damage a light-duty cord. However, both power cords have ratings to specify where they are usable. Using a cord at the wrong place can spark a fire that destroys the property. Many factors determine the type of power cord to purchase, like environmental and power factors. All power cords are detailed on vital information concerning the product, such as length, amperage rating, voltage rating, and where it's used.

What is Light Duty Power Cords

Light duty power cords are similar to lamp wire cords. These cords are only used on low-duty devices because heavy power devices like space heaters, iron, and toasters could damage the wire. Usually manufactured with two prongs, it lacks the grounding prong. This missing prong makes it unusable for appliances with three-prong. Some points to keep in mind while using light-duty power cords are as follows-

• It's used for lamps, clocks, and other light-duty electrical devices with no more than 7 amps of voltage.
• Cord length extended to 25 feet should be used with 18 AWG wire
• Cord length extended to 50 feet should be used for 16 AWG wire
• Cord length extended to 100 feet is suitable for 14 AWG wire

What is Heavy Duty Power Cords?

Heavy-duty power cords are for heavy appliances that require 10 to 15 amps to function. These power cords are mainly created with a grounded prong and have three slots meant for grounded appliance cords. Some points to remember are as follows-

• It’s used with tools and heating appliances that harness 15 Amps of voltage.
• Cord length extended to 25 feet is suitable for 14 AWG wire
• Cord length extended to 50 feet is used with 12 AWG wire
• Cord length extended to 100 feet is fit for 10 AWG wire

What Are the Differences?

There are attainable differences between these two power codes based on their usage, power supply, and others. Below are the significant differences between light-duty and heavy-duty power codes. \

The Different Gauges (AWG)

Gauge is the term used for the thickness level of a power cord wire. All wires have different gauges differentiating them for their purposes. The term is also written as AWG, meaning American Wire Gauge. The gauge can be confused for the cord’s actual thickness. Although thicker gauge means thicker wire, not all cords are created that way. But the actual gauge refers to the thickness of the connecting wires running in the cord.

Light-duty power cords are thin and compact with higher gauge and are meant for small appliances. They are also called higher-gauge power cords. Light-duty cords are usually not more than 25 feet in length. Heavy-duty cords are made between 10 to 14 gauge, also called thicker-gauge cords. They are as thick as the Ethernet cable wire. They are typically created up to 150 feet with a solid connector to protect the insulating wires. However, some light-duty wires may look similar to heavy-duty wires; to differentiate them, check the gauge which is branded on the cord.

The difference in Amperage Rating

Appliances are created to draw different amperage. Light-duty cords are created with low amperage compared to heavy-duty cords since light-duty devices draw less current than heavy-duty appliances. For example, a lamp consumes as low as half an amp while a leaf blower draws up to 12 amps. Most light-duty cords can’t handle the current needed by a leaf blower.

Difference in Insulation

Light-duty cords are not constructed with the same protective and insulating materials as heavy-duty cords. Heavy-duty cords are used for most outdoor duties, exposing them to harsh temperature and moisture. The materials are created to withstand dangerous conditions like sunlight damage and chemical materials like oil.

The difference in Plug Type

The plug type is another distinguished difference between light-duty and heavy-duty cords. Light duty cords are usually constructed with a two-prong plug, while heavy-duty comes in a three-prong plug. The additional prong is allocated for grounding to reduce electrical shock. In contrast, the two-prong cord is suitable for lamps and small appliances for home use. However, one must note that a three-prong is meant to be combined with an outlet with a ground slot, not a two-prong-plug.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter Extensions

GFCI power cords are integrated with an outdoor appliance to increase effectiveness and efficiency. A ground fault circuit interrupter comes with a circuit breaker that shuts off the power when a wrong energy flow is detected, such as water or a person. The GFCI is constructed to be plugged directly into the power outlet and then connected to the power cord, not the other way round.

Conclusion

The difference between a light-duty and heavy-duty power cord depends on the usage, insulator, plug, and other factors. You should never use the light-duty cord for an outdoor function, while the heavy-duty cord is preferable for outdoor works but can be used indoors too.