Skip to content
Rohs & Wee Compliant | UL/CSA Approved
Rohs & Wee Compliant | UL/CSA Approved
High Power Extension Cords Dos & Don’ts │Safety tips

High Power Extension Cords Dos & Don’ts │Safety tips

Every consumer’s faithful companion is the extension cable. We can find extension and connection cables in different places: apartment rooms and kitchens and children’s rooms.

Occasionally, we hear alarming news concerning accidents caused by extension cords. This is when we begin to consider how safe extension cables are in our environment, what to look for when purchasing, and whether or not to turn them off when not in use.

In stores that offer electrical goods, extension cables are available in various models and varieties.

The seller will advise you on which one to buy based on your requirements. Let’s check out some safety tips on using the power extension cords properly and what we should and shouldn’t do to avoid dangerous situations.

Buy quality extension cords

With an untested cable origin, you run the risk of your devices breaking down. A bad cable can catch fire even though it is not overloaded with power. Good high power extension cords have very high quality and thick insulation of individual conductors. Each cable has information on how much load in watts it can withstand when connected.

The extension cable must pass tests so it can be safe for clients. Authorized institutes can also guarantee product quality. If you notice that the extension cords overheat quickly, this is another indicator of poor quality, and you should replace them.

Make enough room

The house can look messy and neglected if the cables are on all sides. You push them under the dresser and the carpet, but they always come out somehow. That’s another good form of protection because it will protect you and your cables.

Stepping on cables significantly reduces their quality and can sometimes be very dangerous.

The cords under the TV and those that often appear along the space can be easily hidden. You can put the clear hooks on the wall to lift them off the floor.

You can get a chest of drawers to help you hide the cables and achieve a modern and reduced look. There are flexible pipes where you can put the cords to keep them damage-free.

You can also use regular duct tape and tape them down on the floor so they can’t move.

Don’t ignore the warning signs

There are several signs that your device may be overheating or that the plugged outlet is not working properly. That includes:

  • The color of the socket or lamp changes when you contact the appliance.
  • The power wire, or the socket, gets hot.
  • While the appliance is running, there is a strong odor of smoke.
  • When you turn on the equipment, it produces electric sparks or a jolt.

Make sure to place smoke detectors in each room and check if they work well. That is a precaution in case something goes wrong, and you will be able to act accordingly.

Use the power extension cords practically

We suggest a cable length of 5 to 10 meters. You won’t have to worry about the distance between the wall socket and the devices if you use a 10-meter extension cord. Take note of the distance between the two sockets as well. Devices that are connected may have a larger body.

Some charger or converter plugs, for example, require additional room to plug into an extension cord.

Don’t use extension cords throughout the day – you should only use them for a short period. If you need more outlets, talk to an electrician about getting them installed.

Devices to pay attention to

If we connect the devices to an extension cord, voltage spikes are possible, and they can reduce the life of the equipment. The microwave oven is also among those devices that consume a lot of electricity.

If you can’t assign a separate socket to the equipment, don’t connect several devices from the same extension cord at the same time.

The fact is that the extension cord may overheat and catch fire while the toaster is in use.

It’s not a good idea to connect one extension cable to another one with several sockets. According to experts, you face great danger of inflicting wire burns, gadget failure, and fire if you do it this way.

Keep liquids away from power wires and adapters. Don’t leave the power supply or power adapter cord near sinks, bathtubs, toilets, or liquid-cleaned floors funds. Fluids can cause a short circuit, especially the power cord or AC adapter.

Conclusion

As much as electricity is helpful to us, it can be even more unpleasant if we do not have some basic knowledge about the correctness of its use. Mistakes, negligence, and ignorance can have fatal consequences. Even with the best installation, we often have to check that there are no sparks.

We hope you now have all the correct information on safely using the extension power cords and all the dos and don’ts. Now that you know everything about power cord safety, there’s just one thing left to say:

 

 

Previous article The Pros and Cons of Indoor Vs. Outdoor Extension Cords 

Compare products

{"one"=>"Select 2 or 3 items to compare", "other"=>"{{ count }} of 3 items selected"}

Select first item to compare

Select second item to compare

Select third item to compare

Compare