Outdoor Lighting Extension Cords: What To Look For To Choose The Right One

Outdoor lighting is a megatrend among U.S. homeowners. Statistics show that the value of the residential outdoor lighting market will reach the 7.2 billion mark by 2020. Residential real estate experts also believe that outdoor lighting can increase the value of your home by as much as 20% while providing increased security.

Although outdoor lights are the stars of outdoor lighting, an outdoor extension cord is the muscle that provides the power to illuminate the lights. However, not all extension cords are suitable for powering outdoor lights. Below is a buyer's guide to ideal outdoor lighting extension cords.

Understand and Interpret Extension Cord Designation Letters

Extension cords have letter patterns, called designation letters, printed on the outer sheath. Although the designation letters seem insignificant, they summarize the extension cord's specifications, including ideal application and performance levels.

Essentially, extension cords are divided into three categories that indicate their ideal use: light-duty (occasional use), medium-duty (frequent use), and heavy-duty (rugged use) cords. Occasional-use extension cords have a light outer jacket and are ideal for light indoor use, such as running computers and small appliances like desktops, vacuum cleaners, and portable fans. Such extension cords are marked with letters such as "S" for general indoor use and "P" for a household cord with parallel construction.

On the other hand, extension cords for medium and heavy-duty use may have designation letters such as "T," "E," "N," and "O," which indicate the material of the outer sheath. The letters indicate that the extension cord has an outer jacket made of T- thermoplastic, E- elastomer, N- nylon, and "O" for an oil-resistant jacket.

Other common destination letters include "W" for weather protection and water resistance, "H" for heat resistance, "J" for junior service, "S" for service cord (unless followed by a "P" or "V"), and "HH" for water resistance. An extension cord may have one to five designation letters, depending on its specifications.

For example, an extension cord with the letter sequence "SJTOW" is a service cord, although it is a junior service cord that is more flexible than hard service cords. An extension cord marked SJTOW also has a thermoplastic, oil-resistant, and weatherproof outer jacket.

The code letters summarize extension cord specifications, and although specifications vary, extension cords with SJTOW, SJOOW, and SJTW are popular for outdoor use. So find out about the code letters and what they mean so you can find the best extension cord for outdoor lighting.

Determine The Type And Color Of The Insulation

In addition to the different materials, the color of the outer jacket of an extension cord also provides information about its intended use. Outdoor extension cords, for example, have a bright orange color to be more visible. The bright orange easily stands out against grass, bushes, and other landscape features and reduces the risk of tripping over the cord.

Second, outdoor extension cords must withstand constant environmental conditions, such as extreme or fluctuating temperatures, UV damage, and water/humidity. Therefore, extension cords ideal for outdoor lighting typically has thick insulating jackets made of weather-resistant materials such as plastic, rubber, and vinyl.

Each jacket material has advantages and disadvantages regarding certain outdoor elements; therefore, you should research the most rugged and durable insulation for your environment. Also, the designation letters mentioned above should help you accurately determine the insulation type of an extension cord.

Count The Progs

The number of prongs on an extension cord may seem like an esthetic element, but the plug pins are critical to the performance and safety of an extension cord. Three-prong plugs are a safety feature for any electrical accessory or device because they act as a grounding wire.

Grounding wires neutralize electrically charged ions by conducting them into the earth. It is a safety feature because the current flow into the ground trips or activates the circuit breaker in an extension cord, preventing dangerous events such as electrocutions or fires that cause property damage and personal injury.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission statistics show that extension cords are responsible for 4600 home fires each year. Therefore, consider purchasing an outdoor lighting extension cord with safety features such as a three-prong plug. Most light-duty extension cords have two-prong plugs, while medium- and heavy-duty extension cords have three-prong plugs.

Note The Amperage

Amperage is another essential consideration when selecting an outdoor lighting extension cord. Amperage, measured in amperes (A), is the base unit, or SI, used to measure the strength of the electrical current.

Each extension cord has an amperage rating that indicates the maximum amount of current that can safely flow through the cord. If you connect an outdoor lighting extension cord to lights that exceed the ampere rating, it will overload and pose a fire hazard. Therefore, determine the amperage of your outdoor lighting to ensure you purchase an appropriate extension cord.

Pay Attention To The Extension Cord's Wire Gauge

Wire gauge indicates the cross-sectional area of a cable, and American Wire Gauge (AWG) is the standardized method for measuring wire gauge. AWG indicates the number of electrically conductive wires encapsulated in an insulating jacket and their cumulative thickness.

For example, AWG 14/2 means the cable has two wires with a total thickness of 14 AWG. A lower AWG number means the cable has fewer wires, which allows for smoother current flow and better conductivity. When purchasing an outdoor lighting extension cord, avoid any gauge above AWG 16.

Conclusion:

To buy a safe and efficient outdoor lighting extension cord, it is essential to know the specifications of the extension cord, starting with the ones mentioned above. Such specifications help judge an extension cord's compatibility with your outdoor electric wiring to ensure energy efficiency and safe operation.

However, responsible use of the extension cord is of utmost importance for home safety. Although your outdoor extension cord is weatherproof, store it indoors when not in use, and always check the outer sheath before resuming use to ensure proper insulation for your safety.