On Fri, 9 Aug 2024 at 10:55, Karen Lewellen <klewellen@shellworld.net> wrote:
14 is apparently not feet. to what does the /3 refer?
14 is the gauge (the diameter of each wire). The gauge number goes lower as the diameter increases. In house wiring the gauges usually used are: 14 for common 15 amp outlets. 12 for less common 20 amp outlets, normally found in kitchens. 10 for 30 amp electric clothes dryer outlets. 8 for 40 amp electric stove outlets. 6 for 50 amp electric stove outlets (not common) or electric vehicle charging outlets in the garage. /3 is the number of wires in the cord: A "hot" wire (the dangerous one if you were to touch it). A "neutral" wire that returns the current. It will be wired to "ground" at the electrical panel. A "ground" wire provided for a safe return path in case of an electrical fault. /2 designates your standard 2 prong cord, which has a hot and neutral but no ground. -- Scott