Space heater vs electric kettle: Duty cycle matters more than wattage

Both pull about 12.5 amps, but a space heater runs continuously, making the cord warm from sustained current, while a kettle runs for minutes and stays cool. A 14-gauge cord is technically fine for either, but warmth under continuous load is normal—size up to 12-gauge if it gets uncomfortably hot. Space heaters are more sensitive to voltage drop in extension cords because they run at the circuit’s limit; kettles don’t care as much.