16/3 Wire 

When you need dependable, flexible cable for power distribution, equipment wiring, or custom cord builds, 16/3 wire makes one of the most practical investment choices. It delivers a satisfying compromise between flexibility, durability and current-carrying capacity for a wide variety of light- to medium-duty applications. 

At Americord, this category brings together a full selection of 16-gauge, 3-conductor bulk wire designed for indoor, outdoor, commercial, and industrial use. 

Americord makes it easy to compare jacket types, insulation materials, voltage ratings, and environmental resistance so you can choose the right cable for your exact application. From portable tools and appliances to extension cords and OEM assemblies, this collection covers the most commonly used configurations in one place. 

What Does 16/3 Wire Mean? 

The first number, 16, is the AWG (American Wire Gauge) size of each conductor. Sixteen gauge sits in the middle of the AWG scale, thicker than 18 AWG Amp cord and thinner than 14 AWG household wiring.  

The second number, 3, is the conductor count. Three conductors mean a hot, a neutral, and a ground wire inside a single outer jacket. 

That is all 16/3 wire means: three conductors, each 16 gauge, wrapped in a protective jacket. It’s a configuration that covers a wide range of portable power applications, from appliance cords to extension cord builds to portable tool leads. 

16/3 Wire Amp Rating: How Many Amps Can 16/3 Wire Handle? 

The 16/3 wire Amp rating for flexible cord and cable applications is pretty consistent with National Electrical Code (NEC) Ampacity tables. Thirteen Amps covers most portable tools, standard appliances, lighting setups, and extension cord assemblies.  

For equipment that draws more than 13 Amps, you need a heavier gauge. But for most portable power applications under that ceiling, 3-wire 16-gauge gets the job done. 

The 13-Amp ceiling also means these products fall under junior hard service or standard hard service cord designations, depending on the jacket. Both are appropriate for portable equipment, extension cords, and cord-and-plug connected loads. 

So, how many Amps can a 16/3 wire handle?  

Well, a 16/3 wire generally handles a maximum of 10 to 13 Amps for typical power cords and tools. While 16 AWG wire can technically handle up to 18 Amps (90°C rating) in certain scenarios, it is restricted to 13 Amps for extension cords. 

Jacket Types in This Collection 

The jacket is where most 16/3 wire products differ from each other. Other than that, the 16 AWG conductors, the three-conductor layout, and the 13 Amp rating are consistent across all of them. The outer material is what changes the right application for each option. 

• PVC Thermoplastic (SJTOW / SJTW): This is the standard pick for general indoor and outdoor use. It’s oil-resistant, UV-stable, and reliable across a wide temperature range. Most SJTOW products here are rated to 105 degrees C. The SJTW orange variant is rated to 60 degrees C and suits standard ambient temperatures 
• Rubber (SJEOW / SJOOW / SOOW): Rubber jackets stay pliable in cold conditions and hold up better to oil, abrasion, and repeated bending over time. SJOOW and SOOW add oil resistance to the conductor insulation as well as the outer jacket. SOOW is also rated to 600V, the highest in this collection 
• Thermoplastic Elastomer (SEOW): The SEOW jacket pairs rubber-like flexibility with the toughness of thermoplastic construction. It is oil-resistant, rated to 105 degrees C, and steps up to 600V. This is the highest-spec product in the collection despite sharing the same 16/3 format as everything else. 

Browse the Full 16/3 Wire Collection 

Here is the 16/3 wire collection at Americord. Remember that all the Americord products below are UL and CUL approved, RoHS and WEEE compliant. 

PVC Thermoplastic Options (SJTOW / SJTW) 

16/3 SJTOW White 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTOW White 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire is a hard service cord designed to work in tough outdoor and indoor applications. The oil-resistant and weather-rated PVC jacket, along with the 105-degree C temperature rating, keeps this cable going strong even in hotter locations.  

The white jackets are perfect for lighting racks, appliance cable builds, or installations that call for a nice, clean, neutral appearance. Termination is simplified with North American color-coded conductors on the inside.  

16/3 SJTOW Black 105C 13 Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTOW Black 105C 13 Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire is the most ordered product in this Americord collection. The oil-resistant, weather-rated PVC jacket and 105 degree C temp rating match the white version exactly.  

Black is the default finish for most general-purpose cord builds, portable equipment leads, and extension cord assemblies where appearance is not a deciding factor. This 16/3 wire has North American color-coded conductors inside. 

16/3 SJTOW Gray 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTOW Gray 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire has the same spec as the black and white SJTOW options: 300V, 105 degrees C, oil resistant, weather rated, UL and CUL approved.  

The gray finish fits commercial equipment, gray-finished appliances, and indoor cord runs where black would look too heavy and white would stand out. Like others on this list, it features North American color-coded conductors inside. 

16/3 SJTOW Yellow 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTOW Yellow 105C 13Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire spec matches the other SJTOW options, but the yellow finish makes this one a job site and warehouse staple. A bright cord on a concrete floor is easier to see and avoid.  

Yellow is also the standard color choice when trip-hazard visibility is a priority in active work areas. Same 105 degree C and 300V ratings apply. 

16/3 SJTW Orange 60C 13 Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 60C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTW Orange 60C 13 Amp 300V NA PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire is the only SJTW in the lineup, rated to 60 degrees C instead of 105 degrees C. Works best for normal room temperature applications and moderate outdoor use.  

Not suited for applications where heat would be a concern, but if you have a general low-temperature application that needs high visibility, the orange color provides the same visibility as yellow SJTOW, minus the higher temp spec. 

CEE Conductor Options 

16/3 SJTOW Black 105C 13 Amp 300V CEE PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13| Conductors: CEE color-coded 

The outer jacket on 16/3 SJTOW Black 105C 13 Amp 300V CEE PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Wire is the same as a standard black SJTOW (300V, 105 degrees C, oil resistant, outdoor use rated, UL and CUL approved) with the exception of how it’s made on the inside.  

This version has CEE (that's European standard) color-coded conductors as opposed to North American-coded. Order this one if you're building cords for equipment designed for European wiring or when sourcing for overseas markets that require CEE conductor identification. 

16/3 SJTOW Gray 105C 13 Amp 300V CEE PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Cable 

Jacket: PVC Thermoplastic | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: CEE color-coded 

The 16/3 SJTOW Gray 105C 13 Amp 300V CEE PVC Thermoplastic Bulk Cable has a gray jacket and CEE conductor coding inside. It has the same 105 degree C rating, same oil and weather resistance, and the same UL and CUL approvals as the black CEE option.  

Choose this 16/3 wire when the installation or equipment spec calls for both a gray outer finish and CEE internal conductor identification. 

Rubber Jacketed Options (SJEOW / SJOOW / SOOW) 

16/3 SJEOW Black 105C 13Amp 300V NA Rubber Bulk Wire 

Jacket: TPE Thermoplastic Elastomer | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 105C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJEOW Black 105C 13Amp 300V NA Rubber Bulk Wire uses a TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) jacket that behaves more like rubber than standard PVC. It stays pliable in cold conditions and holds up better to repeated bending over time.  

The 105-degree C temperature rating puts it on par with the top-tier SJTOW options in this collection, making it a good choice when flexibility matters. Still, you do not want to give up heat tolerance. It's also oil-resistant and weather-rated. 

16/3 SJOOW Black 90C 13Amp 300V NA Rubber Bulk Wire 

Jacket: Rubber | Voltage: 300V | Temp: 90C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

The 16/3 SJOOW Black 90C 13Amp 300V NA Rubber Bulk Wire adds oil resistance to both the outer jacket and the individual conductor insulation, not just the jacket surface. That distinction matters in workshop settings, near machinery, or anywhere the cord may contact oil directly.  

The rubber jacket stays flexible in the cold, where PVC would stiffen. It’s also rated to 90 degrees C and 300V, making it perfect for portable power tools and industrial environments. 

16/3 SOOW Black 90C 13 Amp 600V NA Rubber Bulk Cable 

Jacket: Rubber | Voltage: 600V | Temp: 90C | Amps: 13 | Conductors: North American color-coded 

In this 16/3 SOOW Black 90C 13 Amp 600V NA Rubber Bulk Cable, the SOOW steps the voltage rating up to 600V while keeping the same 13 Amp and 90 degree C specs as the SJOOW. The rubber jacket is oil-resistant on both the outside and the conductor insulation and is approved for general outdoor use.  

This is the heavy-duty rubber option in the Americord 16/3 wire collection. If your application calls for 600V capacity within a 16/3 conductor format, this is the product to look at.  

Which 16/3 Wire Should You Order? 

• Standard indoor or outdoor use: Any SJTOW in white, black, gray, or yellow. The 105 degree C PVC jacket will cover almost everything you encounter.  
• High-visibility job sites: Go for the Yellow SJTOW or orange SJTW. Yellow is 105 degrees C and a bit brighter. 
• Cold weather or frequent bending: Go with rubber or TPE. SJEOW, SJOOW, or SOOW all remain more pliable in cold temperatures than PVC varieties. 
• Oil is part of the environment: SJOOW or SOOW both have oil resistance on the jacket and the conductor insulation. SEOW works as well. 
• 600V rated required: SOOW (rubber, 90 degrees C), SEOW (TPE, 105 degrees C). These are the only two in the collection that are rated above 300V. 
• CEE or European conductor coding required: Black SJTOW CEE, or Gray SJTOW CEE. Same PVC jacket performance, different conductor color coding inside. 

What Gauge Wire Is 3/16 Inch? 

This is a physical diameter measurement, not an AWG number. A 3/16 inch figure describes the outer diameter of a cable, which includes the insulation and jacket layers on top of the conductor itself.  

In AWG terms, 16-gauge wire has a conductor diameter of roughly 0.0508 inches (about 1.29mm). The overall diameter of a 16/3 wire will be larger once you factor in three conductor insulation layers and an outer jacket. When matching a wire to a specific conduit or fitting, check the product spec sheet or reach out to the Americord team to confirm.