Whether you’re shopping for a new extension cord from extensions cord suppliers or replacing the one that has fallen victim to wear and tear, there are five important things you should know.
Since power outages are far less common than they used to be with the advent of the energy-efficient era we live in today, most buyers just don't buy extension cords very often. But when you do need one, it can be overwhelming trying to select one based on price and weight so we've come up with a few things you should know about extension cords before buying one.
Extension cords can make life so much more convenient. Rather than having to run your appliance directly into a wall plug, you can now run it from across the room. It’s like magic, you can have longer-than-usual capabilities to power devices. But there’s more to extension cords than meets the eye. There are potential dangers in improperly using extension cords that many people aren’t aware of unless they are trained in electrical work or are Certified Electricians that work on L&W Electrical Code Projects. Searching for extensions cord suppliers, Their aim is to reach the maximum quality product with competitive price and fast delivery.
5 Things to Know Before Buying an Extension Cord
Extension cords are an essential part of any home or office. They allow you to plug in a range of different devices and appliances without having to move the furniture around or use up a bunch of outlets.
But there are some downsides to extension cords, including safety hazards, fire risks, and damage to devices. Here are five things you should know before buying an extension cord:
1. Length Matters
One of the most important factors in choosing a cord is its length. You don't want one that's too short for what you need it for, but you also don't want one that's too long and will get tangled up with other cables. A good rule of thumb is to choose a cord that's about half as long as your distance from the outlet. If you're looking for an extension cord for your garage door opener, look for one that's around 100 feet long so it doesn't get tangled up with other cables while it rolls back into storage after use.
2. Consider a cord with multiple outlets
One of the most important considerations when buying an extension cord is how many outlets you need. If you're just going to be plugging in one item at a time, then you'll probably be fine with just one outlet. But if you need to plug in two or more things at once, then it's smart to get an extension cord with multiple outlets so that you can use all of them at once.
3. Check the gauge of your extension cord
The gauge of an extension cord is its thickness — the lower the number, the thicker the cord. The higher the gauge, the thinner the wire inside the insulation. The thicker wires inside low-gauge extension cords can carry more electric current than those in high-gauge ones. If you're going to be using your extension cord near high-power appliances or electrical equipment, then opt for a high-gauge wire with at least 12 amps of current capacity per foot of cord length (or more). Otherwise, look for a lower-gauge wire with at least 6 amps per foot length (or less). This will help prevent overloading your appliance's power supply and causing damage or fires from overheating wires.
4. Know the Circuits
When using an extension cord in your home, you need to make sure that you're using it properly. Extension cords are rated for different wattages, so it's important to know how much power your devices draw before plugging them into a cord. For example, if you have a high-powered appliance like a vacuum cleaner or heater that draws 10 amps, it should only be plugged into an outlet with a circuit breaker or fuse designed for 15 amps or more.
5. Don't buy cheap cords
Cheap extension cords aren't worth their weight in scrap metal. They tend to be poorly insulated and can break easily, which is dangerous if you have them plugged into a wall outlet or power strip. If you do have to buy one for temporary use, use it only for low-wattage devices and be careful not to overload it.