5 Signs To Replace An Old Electrical Extension Cord

An extension cord serves as an "extension" of your home's electrical system. Every day, you use it to power holiday lights, plug in more devices, play games, or extend the power supply for leaf blowers and power tools. However, many homes, especially older ones, have obsolete wiring and outdated power connections, struggling to supply our ever-expanding collection of power-hungry devices, lighting, and equipment.

Although extension cords are a common and practical way to connect electrical devices to power, an extension cord can quickly deteriorate. Continuous use and a lack of proper cautiousness and prompt replacements over time can pose a potentially hazardous electric shock or fire and risks to your safety.

Strain can be visible (a tangle of power cords and extension cords springing from a single outlet) or hidden behind ceilings, roofs, and cover plates. However, it is not always simple to detect damage, especially when unfamiliar with the visible indications of danger. Here are five signs that you should replace your electrical cords and how inspecting an appliance before use could save your life.

Detached Ground Prongs

Have you ever wondered why new outlets have three ports, unlike older models, which only have two? The answer you seek is in the concept of grounding. The live prong is held in the right port of a two-pronged outlet, while the neutral prong is in the left spot. This two-port configuration allows current to flow from the outlet, through the appliance, and back to the outlet, from where it returns to the power grid.

Unfortunately, this older outlet model poses a risk of electrical shock because of issues with devices, such as frayed wires, which could allow the gadget to become charged. Three-pronged connectors and electrical sockets were invented to address this issue. There is a neutral and live terminal in this configuration like the older model. However, a ground prong connected to a grounded wire inside the appliance can interrupt power flow if the appliance becomes faulty.

Today, high-wattage electronics and appliances have a built-in safety ground prong on their plugs to ensure safety. However, because many old-fashioned homes do not have three-pronged outlets, several homeowners snap the ground prong off to make it possible to use modern devices in their old-fashioned homes. This is a risky practice and should be discouraged.

Before using any extension cord or device, carefully inspect the plug for any indication of broken or compromised prongs. Check for damaged or bent neutral and live prongs and a visible and damage-free ground prong. Have a professional electrician rewire the gadget with a new one if the cord is faulty.

Cord Insulation Deterioration

PVC, a flexible, fire and abrasion-resistant material, is used to coat modern equipment and electrical cords. Because of its insulative properties, it enables free current flow through the wire without heating or exposing the user to electrocution.

Regrettably, cord damage can occur quickly and impair this protective layer. Vacuums that are unintentionally passed over cables can cause nicks in the wire, and cables that run beneath rugs, floors or carpets can be jammed and squashed, causing this insulation to deteriorate.

Even heavy usage of extension cables can cause cord insulation to deteriorate. Bends in power cords can lead to wire fatigue, compromising the insulative barrier if you repeatedly use the same device or power cord. When this barrier is damaged, users become exposed to live wires, putting them at risk of electrocution.

Therefore, before using any device, carefully inspect the cord for flaws. While you can use electrical tape to hide insulative damage momentarily, never use a device or cable with visible damage.

Overheating

Regrettably, cable damages aren't always apparent in the form of a burnt or damaged prong or an exposed portion of your device's insulation. When wires are repeatedly compressed by being trampled upon or rammed into shelves or cabinets, It could lead to short-circuiting, which can cause arcs inside the cable and because electrical arcs can cause overheating, the cable can sustain heat damage. Always check cords and appliances for any portions of the power cord or plug that seem to be discolored, melted, or contorted.

If you own devices with damaged extension cords or are worried about the safety of an appliance, talk to your electrician.

Loose Plugs

Many people have a poor habit of yanking on the cord instead of pulling the plug properly. As a result, you may detect that the plug appears to be loosely connected to its cable.

If this is the case, replace them and learn how to remove them from the outlet by the plug. The contact points may come into proximity to one another over time resulting in a short circuit. A shorter cord, on the other hand, could be an issue.

Short Cords

If you need to plug something in from a long distance but only have a few meters of electrical cords, the first thing you do is connect more cables. Extension cords, however, have a lower wattage capacity and may cause a meltdown and short circuit.

Instead of joining two or more cords to one another, protect your home by purchasing a longer cable appropriate for the job. An adequate wire length also reduces the possibility of overheating and insulation melting.

Conclusion

Extension cords are unquestionably necessary for every household electrical system because they allow us to extend power to inaccessible areas. You must keep it under control and replace it whenever adverse symptoms appear. Consult your electrician if you can't tell if there's a problem with your cords and connections.