The Ultimate Buyer's Guide for Purchasing Power Cable

Near, far, no matter where you are, an extension cord is an electrical cable that keeps you going and connected to your devices! The name extension itself depicts that it “extends” itself and provides you with electrical connection in the most unlikely places. However, you might have to plug in the power extension cord to the most unusual places. And for that, you must ensure that you choose the right extension cord.

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Today, we will provide you with a guideline that you need to follow before you start using an extension cord for different purposes.

Don’t Go Over the Board with “Extension”

It’s true that whenever an electrical outlet is far, an extension cord can come of great help. However, it is better not to go over the board with it. Choose a cord that doesn’t go too long. This is because, the longer it is, the lower will be the amount of voltage delivered.

If you do not want to lower the amount of electrical efficiency, it is better to go for an extension cord of a precise size. The one that is good enough to serve your needs. It will not only save the energy but will also enable you to use lighter duty cords.

Go through the Fine Print

So, apart from length and gauge, you need to know whether your extension cord is apt for outdoor usage or not. In case, it doesn’t have the ratings required for outdoor usage, you run the risk of overheating it and creating a fire hazard.

The Power Extension Cord for outdoor usage has the letter “W” printed on it. If there’s a letter “S” engraved on it, you should consider it to be a cord meant for generic utility. Some high-end cords also have indicator lights that enable you to know if the power is flowing through the cord.

Take a look at the following guideline that indicates each letter you find on the cord and what do they depict:

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Follow the Safety Guidelines

Whether it is a Right Angle Power Cord or the one for extending the electricity resource, you must follow certain steps. It is advisable not to chain more than one cords together and use a longer one instead. Also, before you use an extension cord, inspect it thoroughly for cracks or damage. If you find any, refrain from using it.

Don’t forget where you have placed the cord and keep the children away in case there is a tripping hazard. Running these cords from underneath the carpet or doorways is a bad idea as they can get damaged in a long run.

Consider the Power Rating

The power extension cords you select must be able to handle the power requirements of the connected devices. Make sure you consider the amperage of your tools as your extension cord has to be rated apt for that amperage. So, how do you measure the amperage? Here’s the deal - “amps = watts/voltage”.

In case the extension cord doesn’t have the maximum amperage rating, you can find out about its capacity by looking at the American Wire Gauge rating. If the AWG number is lower, the wire will be thicker and of high capacity. Remember, lower the number, the better is the capacity of the cord to deliver the power.

Keep It Cool

It is a known fact that the electricity that passes through the extension produces a lot of heat which needs a vent so that the cord doesn’t overheat. So, when it is being used, make sure it is not covered with carpet, ceilings and other things.

Whenever you feel that the cord has become too hot to touch, unplug it immediately and find out what is causing the overheating. Before you find out what’s wrong, it is better not to use the cord.

Extending and Concluding…

Apart from all the above-mentioned points, you should remember that an extension cord is a temporary power supply accessory and should never be substituted with permanent wiring. In case you need additional power and the extension cord is too far to stretch itself, you can consider hiring an electrician and get mounted outlets for a long-term power facility.

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