Everything You Need to Know About Extension Cord Safety

Everything You Need to Know About Extension Cord Safety

So, you have a new device you are too excited to use, only to find out there isn’t a power outlet near the spot you want to put the device. An extension cord is a great way to solve this issue and will prevent you from stretching your device’s electric cord to its limit. But while this may seem like a great idea, you also have to know that there are certain dangers when using extension cords, especially if you are thinking of using it permanently. Here are a few safety tips for using extension cords at home, and also a few of the potential dangers that you need to look out for. 

Extension Cords: Are They Safe to Use?
It is safe to use extension cords for devices like a mobile heater during the winter or portable aircon during summers for a short period of time or temporarily. Extension cords can used on a long-term basis if it is for the home office.

As for the bedroom, installing another power outlet where you need it is more handy and safer than using an extension cord. If you want to have additional power sockets in your bedroom, it is best if you choose a team of licensed electricians providing domestic electrical services to install them.

There are many possible dangers in using extension cords for a long period of time. First of all, there is always a chance somebody will trip over the cord. Pets like dogs may chew the extension cord. It is also not safe for children. Extension cords also have the tendency to be overloaded or wore out, leading to electrocution and/or electric fires.

Most of the time, children are the most at risk when it comes to electrical accidents. Therefore, it is extremely important to follow electrical safety tips if you have little ones at home.

Importance of Extension Cords
Extension cords can alleviate the danger that cords of devices can create, apart from creating dangers. For instance, you plugged your vacuum that has a short power cord to a power socket. The space you can cover is very small and as you cover places that are farther away, the vacuum’s cord becomes a strained and starts to elevate off the ground, thereby becoming a tripping hazard. The socket head could also eject out of the outlet while you are vacuuming, which can cause damage to the device.

An extension cord will cover the slack required so that you can vacuum on a larger space. It reduces the risk of tipping, as well as prevent straining the cord, and the potential of the socket head ejecting from the outlet. Aside from this, extension cords also give you the liberty to place electrical and electronic devices wherever you choose.

Factors to Look into When Buying an Extension Cord
First of all, do not buy cheap extension cords and secondhand ones. Always purchase brand new extension cords.
The capacity of extension cords commonly varies depending on the size of the wire, socket, and outlets used to create them. It is extremely important to talk to a local electrician about which type of cord is ideal for you and inform them what you are going to use it for.

What Happens to Extension Cord Become Overloaded?
Our society has become power hungry. Powerboards are often used as extension cords for multiple gadgets and devices. In other instances, powerboards are connected at the end of extension cords to plug in multiple devices. On the other hand, there are also many extension cords that have multiple outlets.
No matter which of these you are using, bear in mind that they can be overloaded.

For instance, your TV, sound system, Wi-Fi modem, and perhaps gaming system like PS5 are located far from a power outlet. So, you are forced to use a powerboard. While it is effective in delivering power to the devices, there are certain dangers that goes along with the convenience since you are running a long cord across certain distance.
This situation increases the risk of having an overloaded power outlet, apart from having the same dangers associated with extension cords.

Signs of Overloaded Electrical Circuit
There are 4 known signs of overloaded electrical circuit. The first one is overheating. Another is flickering or dimming lights. The third sign is buzzing or humming sounds. And last is that it is warm to touch.
In many cases, one or two of these signs will manifest at the same time. For instance, the lights in your house will start to flicker, while your powerboard or outlet is warm or emitting an odd buzzing sound. The heat may be coming from either the cord, outlet, head, prongs, or the device itself.

There are instances when the overloaded circuit leads to power tripping which will not only affect your house, but in some cases even your neighbor’s home.

Sometimes during an electrical tripping event, power will continue to flow into the electrical circuit which can lead to electrical fire.

The Proper and Safer Way to Use a Power Cord
Ever noticed random letters on your extension cord? If you don’t know already, these are codes that tell the qualities of your extension cord. No, they are not barcoding or batch numbers. Here are a few of the letters in extension cords and their corresponding meaning:
• ‘E’ means that it is made from elastomer
• ‘T’ means that it is made from vinyl
• ‘S’ stands for general use
• ‘W’ indicates that it can be used outdoors
• ‘O’ means that it is an oil-resistant cord
• ‘P’ stands for parallel wiring, and it is mostly for indoor use
• ‘W’ indicates that it is for outdoor use
• ‘J’ means that the cord only has 300V insulation
• No ‘J’ indicates that the extension cord has a 600V insulation and that it is suitable for larger devices or a powerboard.

These are the things you need to consider when you are trying to decide if it is okay to attach a powerboard, if you can use it to connect your devices permanently, or if you can use it outdoors. These can be used as reference so that you know what not to plug into the power cord.

Also, take note that even if there is a ‘W’ on the extension cord, it is still not recommended to use it permanently outdoors or in severe weather conditions, except if you are using it in a roofed exterior such as a gazebo.

Hiding Cables Safely
There are times when it is tempting to place your extension cord under the table or a rug. Nevertheless, this is not a good idea since it only makes the cords prone to tripping and stepping because they are not noticeable.
But there are safe ways you can hide electric cables. One is by mounting them on the wall and the second one is to cover them on the ground with cable protectors. You may also try to cleverly roll the extension cord behind you couch or mount it with electrical tape at the bottom edge of your wall. You can also use hooks and clips, especially if you want to mount the cord high up.

Over/under technique is also a great way to coil cables and extension cords if you want to store them for future use. The internal wires may end up snapping if you keep wrapping the cable in the same direction.
Need help with your Cords, Plugs, and Wires? Then get in tough with Sustainable Industries today!
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Sustainable Industries is a highly qualified electrical contractor in Brisbane. We can offer advice on all electrical matters. Are you worried that your extension cord is too old? Do you want to install a new outlet instead of using an extension cord? Or perhaps your circuit is overloaded? No matter what your electrical issue may be, contact a reliable, friendly, and trusted electrician in Brisbane. Contact Sustainable Industries! We are available to take your call and respond to your electrical emergencies 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call Sustainable industries electricians Brisbane today on 1300 772 750 for the best service and advice or you can message us.