Indoor extension cords are thinner and more lightweight, and lack the durability that outdoor cords provide. This makes them more comfortable to handle and easier to store, but limits their functionality.
Outdoor cords have extra insulation to withstand wear and tear, and some are designed to be used in extreme temperatures without compromising performance. Outdoor cords also tend to carry more power, and are available in longer lengths than indoor cords.
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These 16-gauge cords have either two or three prongs, and are best suited for items that don’t require a ton of power. Two-pronged versions tend to be shorter, making them convenient to use with appliances that are located close to power outlets, like blenders or lamps.
Three-pronged 16-gauge cords are available in longer lengths, and their extra prong makes them compatible with larger tools like space heaters and jig saws. This third prong also diverts, or “grounds” the electric current if anything goes wrong, instead of sending it through your body. A 25-foot 16-gauge cord delivers 13 amps, and decreases the longer you go.
Fourteen-gauge cords are usually the most common, and are compatible with a wide range of equipment, including larger tools like router and belt sanders, as well as outdoor power equipment like lawn mowers. A 25-foot cord delivers 15 amps, going down to about 10 amps at 100 feet.
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Twelve-gauge cords are considered “heavy-duty,” and provide the power necessary for high-power items like table saws, chainsaws, and air compressors, even at longer lengths. You still get a solid 15 amps with a 100-foot cord.
Ten-gauge extension cords deliver 20 amps, even at 100 feet. These are essential for generators and high-capacity compressors.
When choosing an extension cord, make sure it’s able to deliver sufficient power-measured in “amps”-to the item being used. If your cord’s amperage is rated lower than that required by the equipment being powered, the overworked cord can overheat and possibly result in a fire. This amperage rating is clearly stated on the cord’s packaging, on the cord, or on an attached tag. If it’s not, choose a different product.
The gauge of the extension cord is another factor to think about. Lower-gauge cords are thicker and are able to carry more power, while higher gauges are thinner and carry less.
Using the correct gauge is especially important when dealing with larger, heavy-duty items, since a higher gauge cord may not be able to deliver the amps required, and could result in the cord overheating or damage to the device it’s plugged into. This gauge number—denoted as “AWG (American Wire Gauge)”—is typically printed on the cord itself.
The length of your extension cord not only indicates how far it can reach, but also how much resistance is placed on the current flowing through it.
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The longer the cord, the more electrical resistance, and the less power it’s ultimately able to deliver. If you don’t factor in the amount of voltage loss that occurs (commonly referred to as “voltage drop”) when selecting an extension cord, your tool or appliance won’t receive the proper amperage, and unnecessary stress is placed on the motor.
Like we’ve said before, an under-powered cord is more likely to overheat and melt. To minimize the effect of this voltage drop, choose a cord that’s as short as possible, especially when working with high-powered tools.
The “jacket” of an extension cord refers to the outside covering that protects the wire inside. The strength, thickness, and material of the jacket can vary, so choose one that best suits the environment in which the extension cord is being used. Take into account specific chemicals it may come in contact with or extreme temperatures. Luckily, all this information is printed on the jacket itself with a series of numbers and letters, and can be decoded with this helpful glossary.
Some extension cords use a transparent connector and LED that lights up when connected to power. I’ve always appreciated these when using extra long cords, and prevents me from having to track it all the way back to the wall outlet to double-check if it’s plugged in.
High-visibility cords increase safety by making themselves easier to see and less likely to trip over. They’re also easy to find in your garage or truck bed, and less likely for someone to accidentally—or purposefully—take yours on a busy jobsite. Cords used for more permanent tasks, like in a home office, or outside in your landscaping, can also be purchased in more subtle colors that blend into their environment.
These built-in switches lock both connected ends in place during use, so they won’t get accidentally pulled apart. While these locks can be convenient, this is also easily accomplished by simply tying the ends together. You could also purchase a separate cord lock for use with any type of extension cord.
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Categories: Outdoor
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