Extension Cord Safety: 8 Common Mistakes You Need to Avoid

Almost every household owns one of these essentials - the extension cord. They make dealing with electricity much easier, ensuring your laptop stays powered even when working in the farthest corner of the room. These tools also let you connect multiple appliances using just one outlet, temporarily solving power socket shortage issues and boosting productivity.

However, using extension cords to ensure extension cord safety and protect your valuable assets while using electricity at home or the office. You'll discover alternative methods for a seamless experience. Furthermore, the blog explains the importance of each precaution and how it helps prevent electric fire hazards or shocks.

Avoid these eight common mistakes when using power strips and extension cords with your electrical appliances.

1. Buying the Wrong Extension Cords

Are there correct and wrong power leads? Well, not exactly, but probably. You purchase a power lead according to current needs and its features. A mismatch may cause failures during power surges, rendering it useless. Also, fire accidents may occur if you use substandard electrical cords to connect power equipment.

Consider getting a heavy-duty extension cord to support more devices with higher amperage. These cords use thick wires to allow more electric current to flow without overheating. They can accommodate more than three appliances connected concurrently. That makes them feasible for your entertainment needs or office with several computers.

Most electrical cord manufacturers label the capacity supported by the strip. For instance, you can buy one with 800 watts. In this example, the wire can support 120v power up to 6.6 amps. Assuming you have a 2-amp desktop, a 1-amp phone adapter, and a 3-amp printer, you can safely use that cord to connect all these devices.

But are they essential in extension cords?

Extension cord certification is another feature to consider. Authentic power cords follow the safety standards for manufacturing electric equipment. They have quality components, and the design passes the quality control set to ensure safety while using extension cords. A certified extension cord and c13 plug have a CE, UL, or CSA logo, implying they are ideal for the intended use.

Another aspect is the intended use. Power cords for external party hosting will not match the ones you use for your TV set indoors. An outdoor extension cord has weather-proof features to ensure they last longer and withstand various elements. For instance, their heavy jacketing and backing ensure they do not wear even when trampled under heavy traffic.

Using an indoor extension cord for your backyard garage will put your home and business in an electric fire hazard. Outdoor electrical cord safety standards demand protected equipment - including power strips. Therefore, ask the distributor about the best option for your needs.

Power surge protection, fusing, and grounding are safety features in your electrical appliances. But are they essential in extension cords? Although not all states implement their requirement by law, these features are advantageous for extension cord safety. They protect your appliances and prevent electric shock.

2. Daisy-Chaining Electric Cords

You intend to power six devices with your extension cord but realize it only supports four. An idea strikes. You will connect three and add another electric cord with three or more outlets to support the remaining three. This method can help you for a short while. You will manage to charge your phone, run your TV, and use the laptop simultaneously.

But how long can this method work? Daisy-chaining is not a viable solution for many reasons. Multiple connections may travel through the same wiring, creating an overload. Remember that the contacts can be loose as you plug and unplug them. That increases the risk of an electric shock or extension cord fire hazard.

Also, daisy-chaining is unideal. The extra-length signals will lose strength as they pass through multiple terminals before reaching the destination. That reduces the power voltage, leading to slow performance or even complete failure of some devices.

So, how do you power more than four appliances using a single extension cord? You can opt for one with more outlets. For instance, a desk with one desktop, a monitor, a desk printer, and three staff laptops needs an extension cord with at least six outlets. More is better because you can connect other appliances during peak hours.

3. Overloading Extension Cords

Most people commit this mistake more often than the others. You have a laptop, phone, gaming console, TV, and other small appliances. It may sound excellent to plug all these devices into a single extension cord for convenience. You can check social media updates as your phone continues charging while watching your favorite sport.

However, this convenience can come at a tremendous cost. Overloading your extension cord risks overheating and can potentially result in an electrical fire. Every extension cord has a maximum amperage it can handle safely. When the combined amperage of all the appliances plugged in exceeds this limit, it strains the extension cord, resulting in overheating.

For instance, if your extension cord has a maximum capacity of 10 amps, avoid plugging in a laptop charger (3 amps), a TV (2 amps), and a space heater (7 amps) concurrently. That will exceed the cord's ampacity by two amps leading to overheating, damaging your appliances, or worse, causing a fire.

Always ascertain the amperage capacity of your extension cord and the total amperage of the devices you plan to use. That ensures you never overload the cord. Some devices may not list their amperage, but you can calculate it by dividing the wattage by its voltage. For instance, if your laptop uses 60 watts of power and runs on 120 volts, its amperage is 0.5 amps.

Another best practice for using power cords is to unplug devices that are not in use. T can prevent overloading and save energy and reduce your electricity bill. Remember, safety should always be your priority. It protects your home or office from potential disasters and prolongs the life of your appliances and extension cords.

4. Running Your Power Lead Under the Rug

You want your room to look neat and think about running your flat plug extension cord under the carpet. That will hide the cord from plain view. It improves aesthetics. Also, you could have eliminated tripping hazards in the room. Children or pets may not interfere with them when playing.

But this should never be an option for running your extension cord. It is a fire hazard and can damage the power strip or put people at risk of electric shocks. Any stress on the cord's insulation will reduce its capacity to withstand overloads, resulting in overheating. Also, heavy furniture placed over such cords and traffic can wear out the insulation and expose the wires, causing a fire.

The safest way to run your power lead is along walls or baseboards. It alleviates the risk of electric shock or fire outbreaks. You can also use cord covers in high-traffic areas like hallways, stairs, and other places with lots of movement for safety.

Running your flat extension cord hidden above the ceiling is another bad idea. You cannot access it to inspect or replace the cord. Also, you cannot monitor it for any signs of damage, such as fraying wires or melting insulation. An ideal extension cord safety measure is using it in the same room you are working from and disconnecting once done with your job.

5. Using Power Strips with Plugs not Matching the Outlet

Power strips come in many forms, with different plugs suitable for specific outlets. Using a power strip with plugs that do not match your outlet may seem like a minor inconvenience you can solve with an adapter. However, this practice is potentially dangerous. Avoid it if you prioritize your safety.

Mismatched plugs and outlets can result in poor connections, leading to the excessive heating of the power strip. This heat can damage the strip's internal components, degrade its performance, and increase the risk of electrical fires. Additionally, using an adapter does not ensure a secure connection and can result in sparking or short-circuiting.

Moreover, power strip plugs have varying designs to match outlets for a reason: to meet the safety standards of the respective country. For example, in the US, three-pronged plugs are standard with a grounding wire that protects against electrical faults. Using a power strip with a mismatched plug might bypass these safety features, putting your safety and devices at risk.

The proper solution to this issue is to purchase a 30 amp power strip designed for your type of outlet. If you plan to use the power strip in different locations with different outlets, consider buying a universal power strip with an interchangeable extension plug.

An ideal power strip can provide convenience and flexibility. However, ensure that it also offers the necessary safety features. Using power strips with mismatched plugs is a risk not worth taking.

6. Neglecting Storage and Maintenance of Your Extension Cord

You want the best from your flat power cords but ignore storing or maintaining them properly. How is that even possible? A poorly-handled or stored extension cord can reduce its lifespan and lead to frequent breakages. It is easy to forget that power cords need proper maintenance like other electrical equipment.

Most people store their extension cords in a jumbled mess in the garage or basement. That is not ideal since it could kink the cord, reducing performance and durability. Besides, rodents, insects, or other pests may chew the wires. You should instead store your extension cords in a dry place like a cabinet or drawer and coil them into neat loops to avoid kinks.

Invest in cable baskets and boxes, which you can use to store your extension cords. They also protect your power strips and electrical outlets from dust, moisture, and other damage. Avoid crushing or bending the cord sharply, as it could damage the insulation and wires.

7. Ignoring the Length

Before connecting your power strips, consider where to set your equipment relative to the power outlet. The length of your extension cord should match your needs accurately, or it could be a safety hazard. Short cords can restrict you from getting close enough to the device, forcing you to move close to the outlet or connect an extension cord to another.

However, using extension cords beyond their intended length could result in voltage drops, overheating, and potential fire hazards. Long cords, especially those loosely coiled or piled up, may overheat and cause a fire. Always check the cord's length before purchasing to ensure it can comfortably reach your devices without stretching or causing inconveniences.

Get a 12 gauge extension cord with thick wires if you want to connect equipment at a relatively longer distance, like your backyard or neighbor's house. Thick wiring translates to less heat buildup and greater power capacity. It also reduces resistance, allowing more electricity to reach your devices faster and more efficiently.

Besides, the cord must have a heavy coating to protect it from the elements. You can get vinyl-coated cords resistant to fire, water, and other external damage. They also keep rodents at bay since they cannot chew on them.

8. Using Power Cords Without Inspection

Inspecting the power cords before using them takes only a few seconds, yet some people still ignore that. These cords can last for years but sometimes get damaged in transit or with frequent use. Inspect them for signs of damage before plugging them into the outlet.

Faulty cords can overheat and cause an electrical fire. Look out for frayed insulation, exposed wires, burns or kinks on the cord, damaged plugs, or any other signs of wear and tear. If you notice anything alarming, replace the cord immediately.

Regular inspection also helps to ensure that the connection is secure. Check whether the plugs fit snugly into the wall sockets and do not wiggle. Loose connections can cause sparking, overheating, or short-circuiting. Internal components may also get damaged if the socket is not firmly connected.

Summing Up

Using extension cords at home or office is inevitable. That comes when working with multiple devices or when a power outlet is too far away. The only problem is ignoring safety precautions when picking the power strips and how to use them. The guidelines discussed in this article should help you get the most out of your power strips while keeping yourself and your property safe.