Have I been using the incorrect power cable this whole time?

[flipflop2234]

I have a "be quiet!" 800 watt psu and have been using an 18AWG (rated for 60 degrees celsius) cable that plugs into the wall for the past few years. Is this cable too small to handle my psu? 

[APasz]

Which side are you talking about?

If it mains side, I'd get some thicker wire like 12/13.

18awg is a few hundred watts at 110v.

 

If it's inside the computer then 18awg is fine.

[flipflop2234]

10 minutes ago, APasz said:

Which side are you talking about?

If it mains side, I'd get some thicker wire like 12/13.

18awg is a few hundred watts at 110v.

 

If it's inside the computer then 18awg is fine.

It plugs into the wall

[brandishwar]

1 hour ago, flipflop2234 said:

I have a "be quiet!" 800 watt psu and have been using an 18AWG (rated for 60 degrees celsius) cable that plugs into the wall for the past few years. Is this cable too small to handle my psu? 

800W is going to pull only about 6.5A (at 120V) from the wall (half that if you're in Europe, since the voltage is doubled). The 18AWG cables are typically rated for 10A, so you should be fine. You can certainly upgrade to a 16AWG power cable if you're nervous, as those are typically rated for 13A.

[NotSoEpicMods]

You're likely fine, a typical 10ft 18AWG cord is rated at 10A 120V and an 800W PSU typically won't pull more than 7A at full load. That being said I always like to err on the side of caution and use a slightly heavier cable. I like to run a 14AWG at least since those are rated for 15A which is usually what most house circuits are fused/breakered at.

[Xplo1t]

I doubt that you are pulling more than 500w so you may only be at 4A or so.  It also depends on the length of the power cord.