AC Power Cord Wire Gauge

Re question 1: Assuming the house was wired properly, the only constraint for what is connected to a 15 amp branch served by a 15 amp breaker is that the total current drawn by all devices that are plugged into all outlets on that branch, and all devices such as overhead light fixtures that may be wired to that branch directly, should be less than 15 amps. So, yes, if you plug additional components into the other outlet the power that would be available to the strip would be reduced correspondingly.

Re question 2: The current drawn through the component power cord is determined by the internal design of that component, with minor variation depending on the exact line voltage. As long as the house wiring and the power cord are of sufficient gauge to conduct that amount of current, meaning that they have low enough resistance to prevent significant voltage drop in the wiring and power cord themselves, there will be no difference in the power supplied to the component either way. If some listeners are able to perceive a slight sonic difference between the two cords, it will not be because of the difference in gauge (provided, as I say, that the gauges of both the house wiring and the power cord are adequate for the current draw of the component(s)).

Regards,
-- Al

Some very smart individuals with electrical engineering backgrounds will make compelling arguments in favor of using the same gauge wire in power cords as that which is in your walls because from an engineering standpoint it makes sense to do so. It will be very difficult if not impossible to fault their position.

Tvad -- I have an electrical engineering background, and some people consider me to be very smart :), but I for one do not make that argument, and do not see why "from an engineering standpoint it makes sense to do so."

Best,
-- Al

Tvad, I would like to add that I'm finding - being a newcomer - that there are many very smart individuals on this site, whether they have electrical engineering backgrounds or not. Thank you both for answering my questions. I think I now know much more about electricity - at least this area - than before. All the best for the holidays, Ken.

Al, you stated a very smart answer to question number 2. Well done. This was
entirely along the lines I was suggesting, although I am not an engineer or a
scientific person (although I studied calculus and physics in my early
architecture studies in college, and I am reasoned person). What I probably
should have stated was that some will argue that using a
larger gauge power cord than the gauge that is in one's walls is not
necessary. At least, I think that's what I should have written.

You can see by the statement you quoted that I am not scientific enough to
posit an intelligent response to this topic other than to offer an opinion of
what I hear to be the benefits of larger gauge power cords from a purely
subjective standpoint.

I even admitted my preferences might be entirely due to the placebo effect.

Me likey sugar pills.

You can see by the statement you quoted that I am not scientific enough to posit an intelligent response ...

On the contrary, I sincerely felt that your entire response was quite intelligent. In that particular part of it, you were simply citing what you believe some others believe, and I have no doubt that is true (that some others have that belief). I was just saying that that belief that others may have is, in my opinion, not correct!

All the best,
-- Al