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

I could be wrong but I feel a big factor (the main?) is longevity of the insulation. Had some old extension cords passed down in the family with rubber insulation peeling off. Granted, it gets flexed and bent, but the whole design is optimized for bending (strands + flexible rubber/plastic) and I think aging is less of a concern. Not sure what the spec is for in-wall wiring but I would hope it’s designed to last 100 years or more.