What’s the difference between a heavy duty (12 gauge) extension cord and the 12ga wiring inside the walls of a typical north American home? Why can’t you just chop the ends off and use it to wire up an outlet?

Question

What’s the difference between a heavy duty (12 gauge) extension cord and the 12ga wiring inside the walls of a typical north American home? Why can’t you just chop the ends off and use it to wire up an outlet?

In: 250

Answer 1

Well first off, you can technically use it to wire an outlet. The only real difference is that extension cords have many smaller wires as conductors while a cable have one solid conductors. However there may be regulations about whether or not this is allowed.