Choosing the Right Generator Power Cord

Generator power cords are an essential component for connecting a portable generator to appliances, equipment, or a home. These power cords come in a variety of types and sizes to accommodate different needs and applications. Understanding the different types of generator power cords and their uses can help ensure that you have the right cord for your specific generator and power needs. Throughout this article we’ll be breaking down the different cord types and uses to help you on your journey to purchasing the correct cord for your generator needs.

Standard Extension Cords

The first type of generator power cord we’ll cover is a standard or heavy-duty household extension cord. These cords are typically made of plastic or rubber and have a standard 3-pronged plug on one end and a standard 3-pronged receptacle on the other. 

These power cords can come in a variety of ratings and typically will fall into 3 categories, light duty, medium duty, and heavy duty. Here’s a general breakdown of each for reference:

• Light Duty- These extension cords are typically rated between 1-13 Amps and are commonly used for low power items like Christmas lights, work lights, and small portable fans.
• Medium Duty- These extension cords are typically rated between 14-15 Amps and are commonly used for medium power items like lawn mowers, power drills, or table saws.
• Heavy Duty- These extension cords are typically rated between 16-20 Amps for higher draw items. These cord types are commonly used for chain saws, circular saws, and air compressors.

Extension cords come in a variety of jacket material types for different tasks or situations. Each power cord will have a sequence of letters on their insulation jackets identifying these ratings. Here’s a breakdown of each letter reference:

• “S”- Means the cord is flexible and designed for general use.
• “W”- Means the cord is rated for outdoor use.
• “J”- Means the cord has a standard 300-Volt insulation. If there is no “J” reference, then it means the cord has a thicker 600-Volt insulation for heavy use.
• “P”- Means the cord has a parallel wire construction.
• “T”- Means the cord jacket is made of vinyl thermoplastic.
• “E”- Means the cord jacket is made from thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE)
• “O”- Means the cord is oil resistant.
• “FT2”- Means the cord is flame retardant.
• “SRDT”- Means the wire is heavy duty and good for high amperage products.
• “HPN”- Means the cords performance won’t be affected by the high temperatures associated with appliances.

Please note that if you’re using an extension cord for a generator you should verify the ratings are built for standard outdoor use. Another thing to consider when choosing a power cord is using the appropriate gauge based on the cord length and amount of power used. See the table below for reference:

If a standard extension cord works best for your needs, we currently offer a variety of DuroMax high quality extension cords here: https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/cords

30- and 50-Amp Generator Cords

Another type of generator power cord we’ll cover is the larger 30- and 50-amp generator power cords. These cords are typically heavy duty and outdoor rated.

The common 30-Amp generator cords are typically made of plastic or rubber, and have a 4-prong twist lock plug (NEMA L14-30P) on one end and 4-prong twist lock receptacle (NEMA L14-30R) on the other end:

The common 50-Amp generator cords are typically made of plastic or rubber and have a 4-prong plug (NEMA 14-50P) on one end and a 4-prong twist lock receptacle (CS6364) on the other end: 

Both the 30- and 50- Amp cords are commonly used to hook directly to a home through an inlet box, or directly to a higher draw appliance such as an electric oven. The cord material will use the same letter reference system used above for standard extension cords and should be chosen based on what works best for your situation. Also, as mentioned earlier in the article, when choosing a power cord, you’ll want to consider the appropriate gauge based on the cord length and amount of power used. See the table below for reference:

Conclusion

So, in conclusion, generator power cords should be chosen based on appropriate material, gauge, power rating, and length depending on the use. We here at DuroMax offer a variety of high-quality generator power cords for multiple situations. See our standard extension cords here: https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/cords. See our 30-and 50-Amp power cords here: https://www.duromaxpower.com/collections/generator-cords. If you have any further questions about choosing the right power cords, we’re here to help. Please contact us at 844-DUROMAX or support@duromaxpower.com for all your generator power cord needs.