3 Ways of Choosing The Right Household Extension Cord
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When an electrical outlet isn’t in a convenient location, you need an extension cable to get power near your devices. Using the right extension cord is essential for ensuring home safety and for the protection of electrical appliances.
When not used well, electrical devices can turn dangerous. Accidents that happen due to using substandard cords can be fatal and cause house fires. You can avoid this by using the right extension cord for the right purpose. Getting tripped by an extension cord is also common. That’s why you want to prevent this by using a discreet flat cord power strip.
These three key factors will help you pick the right cord:
- The Extension Cord Should Match the Load
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The extension cord is a set of insulated wires that have a plug on all ends. The current flowing through the wires can generate heat, and there’s a possibility of overheating. As a result, the plastic wire insulations may melt, causing a short-circuit.
Unlike using a direct connection to an outlet, an extension cord may not match the load. That’s why it’s common to exceed the safe load limit when you use a lower sized extension cord leading to a disaster. When buying an extension cord, choose one equal to or greater than the requirement needed to run an appliance effectively.
Before searching for an extension cord, check the maximum amperage rating. This is the limit of the electrical current which the specific cable can safely conduct. Ensure your choice of line has an amperage rating above that of the device or devices you desire to connect. When using several devices, sum up all the amperage requirements to avoid overloading the extension cable.
- Pick the Right Length and Size
Household extension cords are of different types, lengths, and sizes. They can also be classified as offering light, medium, or heavy usage. The light-duty extension cord is best suited for light-duty devices like clocks and lamps.
These light-duty extension cords’ main feature is that they come with only two plug prongs. Using them with heat-generating appliances can make them draw more electrical load leading to an accident.
The shorter light-duty household extension cords usually are 25 ft in length, and they use an 18 AWG wire. The longer cords between 50 and a hundred feet long use AWG wires of 16 and 14. Because they draw only seven amperages of power, they should be used with low power consumption devices to avoid an overload.
Medium usage extension cords are designed to handle a load of medium capacity. Unlike the light-duty cords, these have a plug prong for support of grounding and a third wire. The medium usage extension cords work for devices that don’t exceed 10 amp power usage like computers and television.
Heavy usage extension cords are suitable for the household electricals that use between 10 and 15 amperages. They have a plug prong and a third wire that is necessary for grounding. The plugs have three slots to allow for grounded appliances to be plugged in.
To be certain that a cord is ideal for heavy-duty tasks, check the wire length and the gauge. The gauge refers to the wire’s thickness and diameter and determines how much current passes through it. It also determines the extent to which the wire can heat while functioning.
- Avoid Cords with Multi Outlet Ends
As tempting as it may be to opt for an extension with multiple outlets, it may not be the best idea. The cords can be very easy to overload, especially when used with high power usage gadgets. If you are using a 15 A breaker on the circuit, it’ll keep tripping due to constant overload.
Even a 20 A breaker can get a surge in current and overheat if overloaded. If you have an electrical item in your household that uses a lot of power, stick to one outlet for each cord or equipment. This prevents overheating or overloading and increases the durability of your indoor cords.
Household extension cords have amperage ratings that show you how much power is safe to plugin. This amperage on indoor cables is usually designed for digital devices that use low power. Never use them outdoors since they are not weather resistant.
Conclusion
Extension cords make your life easier. It makes power more accessible in rooms with few or far power outlets. But despite the curtail role they play, they often turn dangerous when not used properly. That’s why you must ensure that you use the right extension cord for the right purpose. These three tips should help you pick an extension that will serve the purpose without endangering anyone in your home. There are also many different brands to choose from, each with their own twist on things. Make sure to get out there and try them all out!
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
