Extension cords are ingenious because most residential units, including well-planned homes, require power usage at a distance from an outlet. However, while extension cords are helpful devices, they can be pretty dangerous primarily due to consumer’s limited knowledge of their functionality.
Most consumers treat extension cords as a low-involvement purchase and cannot distinguish between a heavy duty extension cord and a light use one. Additionally, they cannot decipher other pertinent specifications like amperage and gauge.
Thankfully, extension cords are pretty easy to figure out. Below are vital extension cord specifications to help you buy safe and durable products.
1. Extension Cord Width (Wire Gauge) And Length
Extension cords are more than wires with a plug on one end and an outlet on the other. An extension cord’s cable’s length and width indicate its capacity for various applications. The basic unit for measuring an extension cord’s width is the American Wire Gauge (AWG), denoted as a figure ranging from 0000 to 40. An AWG chart lists an electrical conductor’s diameter or cross-sectional size without the sheath covering holding the conductors together.
A high AWG figure means many thin electrical conductors bundled together to meet the standard cross-sectional width for electricity-carrying wires. On the other hand, a low AWG indicates fewer wires with wider diameters bundled up to meet the pre-set standard for electric wires’ cross-sectional size. Thicker conductors have higher electric conductivity, while thin conductors have a lower power-carrying capacity, even when bundled up. So, extension cords with a low AWG rating offer better performance than those with a higher AWG rating.
Besides AWG, an extension cord’s length also hints at its performance capacity as longer wires have higher resistance than shorter wires. However, longer wires are more convenient as they eliminate the unsafe practice of forming an extension cord link chain to cover required distances. Therefore, consider purchasing long, low wire gauge extension cords for durability and safety.
2. Amperage
Amperage denotes an electric device’s current carrying capacity or power rating. Different gauge extension cords have different maximum amperage ratings ranging between 10-20amps. Consequently, plugging a device into an extension cord with a lower power rating than the device’s will cause an overload. A power overload can damage your extension cord and your appliances or power tools and even cause a fire.
So, consider your intended use before buying an extension cord and purchase a cord that can handle your device or tool’s power requirement. Second, avoid plugging multiple devices into a single extension cord, as this too may cause an overload. Finally, note that an extension cord’s length also impacts its power-carrying capacity and factor cord length while selecting an extension cord.
3. Indoor/Outdoor Use Rating
Extension cords have varying applications inside and outside the home. However, not all electric extension cords are ideal for outdoor use, and using an extension cord in the wrong environment can be hazardous. While indoor-use extension cords have simple construction, outdoor-rated extension cords have heavy-duty construction for environmental protection, as explained below.
First, most outdoor use extension cords are low gauge, so they are pretty long, ranging from 50ft to 100 to avoid stretching the cord while in use. Second, they have a high current-carrying capacity, ranging from 15amps to 20amps, compatible with heavy tools like power saws, generators, drills, and rotary hammers.
Second, outdoor extension cords feature heavy-duty construction with robust rubber, vinyl, or plastic casing that is water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant, and flame resistant. They are flexible enough to withstand temperature fluctuations and feature a three-prong plug and other special safety features to reduce electric shock risk. However, the easiest way to identify an outdoor-rated extension cord is by its bright orange color. Outdoor extension cords also feature “W” as their designation letters.
4. Extension Cord Classification And Designation Letters
Extension cords have countless applications in different environments, making it difficult to box their overlapping features into distinct categories. However, experts loosely classify extension cords by frequency of use as occasional, frequent use, and rugged extension cords.
Occasional extension cords are mainly 16-gauge cords for simple indoor applications like powering fans and phone charging, while frequent use cords mostly feature 14-gauge cords. Rugged extension cords are heavy-duty 8-12 gauge cords that power high-capacity tools for extended periods.
Besides the general functionality classifications, extension cords feature a designated letter for specific insight, as highlighted below.
- S: Specifies a flexible wire ideal for general indoor use
- W: Denotes an outdoor-rated wire as explained above
- J: Specifies that a cord features the typical 300V insulation, while its absence indicates heavy-duty 600V insulation
- O: Oil-resistant extension cord
- T: Indicates the cord features a vinyl thermoplastic protective sheath
- P: Parallel wire construction.
Read the designated letters above to find the ideal extension cord for your needs and your environment.
2. Amperage
Amperage denotes an electric device’s current carrying capacity or power rating. Different gauge extension cords have different maximum amperage ratings ranging between 10-20amps. Consequently, plugging a device into an extension cord with a lower power rating than the device’s will cause an overload. A power overload can damage your extension cord and your appliances or power tools and even cause a fire.
So, consider your intended use before buying an extension cord and purchase a cord that can handle your device or tool’s power requirement. Second, avoid plugging multiple devices into a single extension cord, as this too may cause an overload. Finally, note that an extension cord’s length also impacts its power-carrying capacity and factor cord length while selecting an extension cord.
3. Indoor/Outdoor Use Rating
Extension cords have varying applications inside and outside the home. However, not all electric extension cords are ideal for outdoor use, and using an extension cord in the wrong environment can be hazardous. While indoor-use extension cords have simple construction, outdoor-rated extension cords have heavy-duty construction for environmental protection, as explained below.
First, most outdoor use extension cords are low gauge, so they are pretty long, ranging from 50ft to 100 to avoid stretching the cord while in use. Second, they have a high current-carrying capacity, ranging from 15amps to 20amps, compatible with heavy tools like power saws, generators, drills, and rotary hammers.
Second, outdoor extension cords feature heavy-duty construction with robust rubber, vinyl, or plastic casing that is water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, UV-resistant, and flame resistant. They are flexible enough to withstand temperature fluctuations and feature a three-prong plug and other special safety features to reduce electric shock risk. However, the easiest way to identify an outdoor-rated extension cord is by its bright orange color. Outdoor extension cords also feature “W” as their designation letters.
4. Extension Cord Classification And Designation Letters
Extension cords have countless applications in different environments, making it difficult to box their overlapping features into distinct categories. However, experts loosely classify extension cords by frequency of use as occasional, frequent use, and rugged extension cords.
Occasional extension cords are mainly 16-gauge cords for simple indoor applications like powering fans and phone charging, while frequent use cords mostly feature 14-gauge cords. Rugged extension cords are heavy-duty 8-12 gauge cords that power high-capacity tools for extended periods.
Besides the general functionality classifications, extension cords feature a designated letter for specific insight, as highlighted below.
- S: Specifies a flexible wire ideal for general indoor use
- W: Denotes an outdoor-rated wire as explained above
- J: Specifies that a cord features the typical 300V insulation, while its absence indicates heavy-duty 600V insulation
- O: Oil-resistant extension cord
- T: Indicates the cord features a vinyl thermoplastic protective sheath
- P: Parallel wire construction.
Read the designated letters above to find the ideal extension cord for your needs and your environment.
Conclusion
Buying the ideal extension cord for your home application requires basic product knowledge. So, follow the tips above to identify and buy high-quality and safe extension cords.
