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Re. the light duty 20-gauge extension cords you saw:
I remember in the 1980s (probably dating from the 1970s) seeing bunches of 18-gague extension cords - some as long as 20 feet.
In fact, a couple of years ago I got rid of a bunch of these (either cutting them up and using them as replacement cord for lamps and radios) or just trashing them.
These were unpolarized and without that little blocking tab that doesn't allow you to connect a grounding plug into them.
I haven't seen them being sold at supermarkets, dollar stores and such places in years. The smallest size extension cords I see are 16-awg/SPT-2 polarized cords.
However recently I stumbled across a self-service store (that must be in businees since the 50s or something) with like THREE bins full of these 18-gauge things, still new in the sleeves!!
I may get one....just as a souvenir...or a cheap supply of zip cord for rewiring table lamps (the insulation seemed to be still flexible).
Now what do you guys think of those 25-foot 16-AWG "medium duty" (haha) orange grounded extension cords? You know the ones geared towards contractors, outside work, power tools, etc.?
That's a real doozy...some people hook up AIR CONDITIONERS, washing machines and refrigerators into these 16-AWG orange suckers instead of using the 14-gague ones designed for that purpose!