When connected to a 1Ø piece of equipment that operates at 240 volts, a 12 AWG SJO flexible cord can carry ___ amps.

To determine the correct ampacity of a 12 AWG SJO flexible cord when connected to 240 volts in a single-phase system, we look at the National Electrical Code (NEC) standards for conductor sizing. According to the NEC, a 12 AWG copper wire generally has a maximum ampacity rating of 20 amps in most situations.

However, with the application of continuous load considerations—especially in the use of cords or flexible cables, which may have different thermal characteristics compared to regular insulated wires—the allowable capacity can be adjusted based on the specific installation conditions.

Using the NEC guidelines, when considering tools that may be used for prolonged periods, it's often prudent to apply a 125% rule for continuous loads. This means that while 20 amps is the usual maximum capacity, for a flexible cord used in a continuous operation setting, the capacity could be effectively considered a bit lower, which leads us to determine that under typical use, it would be safer and more appropriate to reference an operational capacity of around 16 amps for consistent loads.

Taking into account variances across installations, it is not uncommon for coiled cords and specific applications to utilize an ampacity near the 25 amp figure, especially in certain industrial contexts.