Glossary
AWG
American Wire Gauge, the number that tells you how thick a wire or extension cord conductor actually is.
AWG stands for American Wire Gauge, and it is the standard used to size the copper conductor inside a cord, cable, or shop wire. The counterintuitive part is that a lower number means a thicker wire. A 12 AWG extension cord has more copper in it than a 16 AWG cord, so it carries more current with less resistance and less heat buildup.
This matters in a garage because tools like compressors, welders, and table saws draw a lot of current, especially on startup. Running a long, thin cord to a power-hungry tool causes the wire to heat up and the voltage reaching the motor to sag. A motor running on low voltage draws even more current trying to make up the difference, which is how cords and outlets get hot enough to trip a breaker or, in bad cases, start a fire.
When buying a cord, match the gauge to both the tool's amp draw and the cord length, since longer runs need thicker wire to deliver the same power. A common mistake is buying based on price alone and ending up with a long, light-duty cord rated for lamps and radios instead of shop tools. Look for the AWG number printed right on the cord jacket before you buy.