What is the minimum ampacity rating for a flexible cord connected to a 20 A branch circuit?

The minimum ampacity rating for a flexible cord connected to a 20 A branch circuit is calculated based on the size and maximum rating of the circuit it is connected to. For a cord being used with a 20 A branch circuit, the National Electrical Code (NEC) specifies that the flexible cord must have an ampacity that is at least equal to the circuit’s rating or higher to ensure safety and reliability during use.

In this case, flexible cords are typically required to have a minimum ampacity rating of 125% of the circuit rating, which means that the minimum should safely exceed the branch circuit's rating. However, in practice, a flexible cord that is rated at 25 amps(25 A), would sufficiently handle the current without overheating, thus also being within acceptable safety margins. The other choices do not meet the minimum requirements or provide sufficient capacity, as options below 20 amps could result in overheating or other safety issues when constantly carrying a 20 A load.