Our "standard" light-duty household extension cord comes in 6', 9' and 12 or 15' lengths.

It's a single-insulated length of SPT-2/16AWG zip-cord with three female receptacles at one end and one moulded polarized two-pin plug at the other.

They are all either made in China or the Phillipines and look roughly like this (photo was stolen from a Chinese manufacturer's website)

[Linked Image from asiancord.com]

The manufacturer's website is http://www.asiancord.com and the brand stamped on the cord itself is YUN.

These things are actually sold under various importers' names here in New York City variety and discount stores. YUN also makes other "budget" electrical accessories (like three-way adapters).

Back in the 1970s/early 1980s, the extensions used to be 18 AWG (equivalent to .75mm european cord)! I still have one at home in my junk bin.

Can you imagine three appliances running off a 15-foot length of .75 mm flex? Needless to say that these things caused a lot of fires and are no longer manufactured in 18-gauge versions although many are still in use (I've "confiscated" and replaced a lot of them at my relatives' :-) ).

[This message has been edited by SvenNYC (edited 10-31-2002).]