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AC is the abbreviation for Alternating Current, the form of electricity we use most in our day to day lives. We all have dozens of devices to plug into the outlets in our homes and often that means we use extension cords…but do we use them correctly? Adding extension cords until outlets look like a spaghetti factory can be very dangerous. Remember, the gauge of the wire and the length of the cord determine the power it can safely deliver. The heavier the wire, the more amperage it will safely conduct. A light-duty 16-gauge cord is fine for a table lamp but you’ll need a heavy-duty 12-gauge cord for circular saw. Available power decreases as length increases so upgrade to a heavier cord for maximum power. Finally, always uncoil an extension cord before using it because coiled cords build up heat.