SOOW 3C 12 AWG and SJOOW 4C 16 AWG are both supported portable-cord entries in the imported Cable Marking Decoder lookup rows. Their visible notation differs in family, count, and gauge.
Side-by-side comparison
| Input | Family description | Count | Gauge |
|---|---|---|---|
| SOOW 3C 12 AWG | Service cord, oil-resistant insulation and jacket, weather/water resistant family. | 3 conductors. | 12 AWG. |
| SJOOW 4C 16 AWG | Junior service oil/weather resistant cord family. | 4 conductors. | 16 AWG. |
Read OO and W with the family
For SOOW, the current reference rows call out OO as oil-resistant insulation and jacket and W as an outdoor/weather family marking. Those notes belong to the SOOW entry shown here. The SJOOW row is a different exact family entry and should be read from its own summary.
Do not transfer the letter J casually
The current SJOOW row records J as a junior service voltage class. This is a useful reminder that a letter can have a different role when the complete family changes. Use exact matches instead of copying an interpretation from NYY-J or another row.
Boundary of the comparison
The comparison describes the imported database and exact lookup rows only. It does not determine ampacity, installation permission, procurement suitability, or local compliance.
Source and limits
Imported regional power-cord rows from MicrosoftDocs/azure-docs, harmonized cable marking guides, UL wire and cable marking guidance, and manufacturer cable data sheets; verified 2026-08-30.
- This page is a production database view built from imported rows plus exact cable-marking lookup examples.
- A conductor area or gauge shown in a marking does not determine ampacity by itself.
- Manufacturer-specific suffixes and local code requirements can change the final meaning. Verify the complete product label and data sheet before acting.
- Do not treat this decoder or guide as a safety, installation, procurement, customs, or legal compliance decision.
Related cable guides
How to Read Cable Markings | Cable Conductor Count and Earth Notation | Cable Size Notation: mm2 and AWG