"Mys Terry" wrote in message
...
The distance in this case is a pretty important factor. I don't think
a 15 amp "tool" is going to be very happy on a 100 foot 12 gauge cord.


You're correct. To have a not greater than 3% voltage drop, a 15 amp load
on a 100 foot cable would require #8 wire.
See http://www.elec-toolbox.com/calculators/voltdrop.htm for a voltage drop
calculator.