Regardless of the distance and position of your electronic gadgets, an extension cord, which is an extension cable actually, always comes in handy. The word “extension” implies that it extends itself to the full extent to provide an appropriate electrical connection to all of your gadgets. To reap the benefit of using the extension cord to its fullest, you should choose the right type so that you can use it in the oddest of places. Today, through this article, you will get some common guidelines on how to choose your extension cord correctly.
If You Want to Extend, Do-Follow the Rules
It’s true that whenever an electrical outlet is far away, an extension cord can be of great help. However, it is better not to become too engrossed in its usefulness. Always select a cord that doesn’t extend too far. This is because, the longer it is, the lesser will be the amount of voltage delivered through it.
Always choose the exact size of your extension cord so that you can receive the exact amount of electricity that is required to make it work. This way you will not only save energy, but you will also get the option of choosing the lighter duty cords.
Rule 1: Read Through the Fine Print
While selecting the right cord, you should first consider whether it is suitable for outdoor use. Secondly, you should assess the length and gauge of the cord. The rating on the cord is also very important because if it doesn’t meet the standards then it can catch fire anytime.
Watch out for the “W” tag on the power extension cord fit for outdoor use. For general use, you should look for the “S” tag on the cord. It is a great idea if your extension cord has indicator lights that ensure a normal flow of power through the cord.
Rule 2: Please Use Extreme Caution
Certain rules must be followed when setting up an electrical extension cord or Right Angle Power Cord. Instead of using multiple shorter cords to achieve the desired length, it is preferable to use a single longer one. Before plugging in an extension cord, be sure it is in good working order. You should never use any that you come across.
Keep the youngsters away from the cord and remember where you put it in case it becomes a tripping hazard. Do not attempt to conceal these cables by routing them beneath the floor or along the bottoms of doors.
Rule 3: Give Some Thought to the Power Rating
You must make sure that the power extension cord you are choosing supports the total power consumption of all the connected devices. Make sure that the amperage of your gadgets matches exactly with the extension cable’s rating.
Suppose the extension cord you have purchased doesn’t have the amperage rating, then hunt for it at the American Wire Gauge (AWG) rating. The high-capacity wires have a lower AWG number and will be of thicker and higher capacity. If you want the best quality and capacity extension cord, then always go for the lower numbers.
Rule 4: Don’t Let the Wires Get Hot
It is a well-known fact that the extension power cords heat a lot because of the electricity that passes through them. Thus, it needs a vent to release that heat to prevent getting overheated. To prevent this, you should always make sure that the wire is not covered with any heavy material like the carpet or the ceiling or other heavy material.
If you find that the wire is very hot, then unplug it immediately and try to detect the cause behind this heating up. Do not use the cord until and unless you detect the exact reason behind this heating up.
Extension Cord Categories That Match Your Needs
You can categorize the extension cords into three main groups and they range from infrequent to heavy to constant use. Let’s go into a little detail on the different tags that will help you find the right extension cord for yourself:
- The letter "S" denotes an all-purpose cord suitable for indoor use.
- The letter "W" denotes an outside extension cord. The insulation makes an outdoor extension cord different from an inside one. Cords intended for interior use are not as robust as their fluorescent orange outside counterparts.
- Having a “J” symbol on a power cord indicates that it is rated for the typical 300-volt usage. In the absence of a "J" symbol, you can assume that the cord is rated for 600 V of continuous use.
- The letter “P” denotes a domestic extension cord made with parallel wires.
- “T” denotes a vinyl thermoplastic outer jacket on the cord.
- In this case, the letter "E" indicates that the outer sheath of the rope is constructed from TPE.
- The letter "O" denotes an oil-proof wire.
Concluding and elaborating…
In addition to these considerations, keep in mind that an extension cord is only meant to be used temporarily and in no way should it ever replace the actual wiring. You can hire an electrician to install permanently mounted outlets if you require more power than the existing extension wire can provide. And whenever you buy an extension cord, watch out for the rating from the best suppliers in the USA.
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