14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

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midget

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Why is it, that, for example, when you have 14/3 extension cord, it's a hot, a neutral, and a ground...but if you have MC that's 14/3, or Romex, etc, it's 2 hots and a neutral? Why the difference?
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

because romex and mc is 14/3 with ground.They are stating number of current carrying conductors and the ground.To be more correct they would call it 14/4.But if your looking for 2 hots 1 neutral and a ground it is 14/3
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

But the ground isn't--shouldn't be -- :p carrying current in an extension cord, or anything for that matter. :p So why count it in extension cords?
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

midget;

You have a point. Maybe their marked different because MC and NM are standard wiring methods, and cord is not quite in the same category. MC and NM are used by qualified persons who understand electrical wiring, and cords are used in every day life by every one. Maybe cords are labeled to not confuse the uneducated. Or maybe I'm confused! :p

[ December 18, 2004, 01:56 AM: Message edited by: russ ]
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

I will take a guess that the /3 represents the number of insulated conductors, as grounds in extension cords are insulated. :cool:

mike
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

Perhaps its because if NM it would really be called 14/2 w/g as NM orginally didn't have a ground, so it was simply 14/2.
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

Because there is 2 wire (no ground) SO, SOT, etc. (what you call extension cord) and SPT (zip or lamp cord) for example. What would you call these, 18/1?

The terminology is different for flexible cordage then and it necessarily reflects the total number of conductors, not just the current carrying ones.

-Hal
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

Kind of like asking why a 2" x 4" is 1.5" x 3.5"?

Or why 1/2" EMT has an inside diameter of 0.62"?

Or Why a separately derived system is not separate?

Things just evolved that way. :D

Bob
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

Originally posted by tom baker:
Perhaps its because if NM it would really be called 14/2 w/g as NM orginally didn't have a ground, so it was simply 14/2.
Click to expand...
Also before MC cable we all used BX with that tiny little bonding wire.
 
Re: 14/3 extension cord wire...14/3 MC? Difference. Why?

Speaking about MC...can you guys tell me the difference between MC and AC?
 
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