I have a (25FT) heavy duty extension cord rated at a maximum of 600V and 14 AWG. Given to me from a friend while moving I think he used it for a generator. Can I still use it for small stuff like a computer or drill or lamp or fan? Just thinking about a voltage loss because of thicker wire or would this not make enough of a noticeable loss if any ? Trying to see if I would ever even use it.
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Thicker wire will actually create *less* voltage loss.
Since V=IR (voltage = current * resistance), when you have a current traveling through a resistance (in this case, your extension cord) then a voltage will develop across the resistance.
Say you have a 120V outlet, and .01Ohm extension cable, and your device happens to draw 1 Amp. Then the voltage across your extension cord is .01Ohm * 1A = .01V. So actually you have 120 – .01 = 119.99V at your device. This is negligible and nothing to worry about. But the larger your conductor, the small the resistance, the lower the voltage drop.
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