A simple question

[Hot shot]

I was reading a post talking about 15 amp receptacles having a 20 amp pass thru
Is that true on new extension cord plugs
I see a lot of them advertising made with 12/2 wire but rated for 15 amps so I’m assuming both plug ends are 15 Or is the 12/2 wire needed for the longer run

 

[Stuart in MN]

No, it doesn't apply to extension cord plugs.

Duplex 15 amp receptacles are typically the same internally as 20 amp duplex receptacles. In addition, the NEC says that you can use 15 amp receptacles on a 20 amp circuit as long as there are two or more of them, and a duplex receptacle counts as two.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Cord caps are not the same thing as receptacles.

 

[Bert_]

#16 cord and #12 cord all have the same ends. It requires that you use your brain when picking a cord.

Obviously anything with a 15 amp end is only going to be rated for a maximum of 15 amps, no matter how big the wire.

 

[Hot shot]

Thanks for the reply’s
I didn’t think they were but wanted to verify from the pros

 

[u2slow]

Nothing stopping you from putting 20A ends on the #12 cord. I do that for my air compressor.

This 15-20A pass-thru fudge factor seems to be NEC concession/exception. No such thing in Canada.