[caymanjim]

This can be done safely if you know how to compute the correct wire gauge for the distance, and don't overload the circuit. You can easily and safely run 15A via a proper-gauge extension cord from a 3kW inverter to a fridge or any number of other individual appliances at once.

Where this is potentially going to cause trouble is people who don't understand how electricity works, or that different wire gauges exist, or how many watts various appliances use. The kind of person who takes a tiny lamp extension cord and plugs a power strip into it, thinking that more sockets will provide unlimited power.

The photos in this article are scary. A 2500W power strip with a bunch of crap plugged in? Exactly the kind of scenario you don't want to see. And talking about running a fricken induction cooktop off that, along with a fridge? The photo and text imply that you have near-unlimited power.

[jagrsw]

> This can be done safely if you know how to compute the correct wire gauge for the distance, and don't overload the circuit.

Agreed, a long run adds so much impedance that during a short circuit, the breaker won't trip instantly. It will just sit there and let the fault current cook the wires.

Various jurisdictions require a fault loop impedance test for installations (and discussed one looks "fixed"). This cannot be eyeballed from a wire diameter table, must be measured.

[Braxton1980]

It depends on the length of the extension cord, construction, and gauge.

10awg single conductor THHN can handle 50 amps but when it's in NM-b (house wire/romex) it's 30 amps.

Extension cords can get really hot as they often have the conductor insulation, some packaging material for support, and the outer coating. It also greatly matters if it's 10ft vs 100ft due to resistance.

I've seen extension cords that were used for ACs melt carpets