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Is This Extension Cord The Right Size? You’ve Got To Do The Math

The only way to calculate if you are using an extension cord of the right gauge is to do a little math. The total current draw, in watts, of everything that you are plugging into an extension cord is the number you need to make this calculation.

The easiest way to understand this is to use the 100 watt light bulb for an example.

A 14 gauge extension cord is rated to handle 15 amps. Assuming a nominal voltage of 120 volts (it can vary a little), that cable is rated to handle eighteeen 100 watt light bulbs.

Since you need to be able to translate this calculation to the actual devices you are using, you need to look at your devices (tools, lights, etc.) as there should be a power consumption rating, in watts, right on the device.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
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Connector Strain Relief-Where The Best Cables Shine

The point of failure on most extension cords is where the connectors meet the cable body. This is where a cable flexs, where it is pulled from an outlet and where it sees the most handling.

Inexpensive cables skrimp on the material used in the strain relief and once the connector begins to separate from the cable body, it can’t be fixed. Connector or even total cable replacement is required.

The extra large molded strain relief found on every cable from Century Wire insures that this will not become a failure point, even after years of serious use.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Extension Cord Grounding-Why It Matters

The third (U shaped) pin on quality extension cords and most appliances is the “ground” pin. It is critical to understanding how to safely use the cord.

The ground pin, when used with properly wired electrical outlets, creates an extra level of safety for the user.

When an appliance with a connector that includes a ground pin is plugged into a properly grounded outlet, electricity flowing to the appliance has a complete path back to earth ground, giving a large additional safety margin for whomever is using the electrical device.

If the cable in the appliance is damaged, then the live “hot” conductor can deliver power directly to the body or handle of the appliance. When there is no ground path back through the cable, extension cord and outlet, then the most direct path to ground becomes through whomever is using the device. This can create a potentially dangerous or even fatal problem.

Any tool or appliance that has a three pin connector which includes a ground pin should only be used with a grounded-three conductor-extension cord and should only be plugged into a properly grounded outlet.

Never remove the ground pin so that it can be plugged into a two conductor (non-grounded) extension cord.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Sidewinders Put Extension Cords In Their Place

Everybody knows that extension cords can create a trip hazard when used in high traffic areas, and taping is usually the chosen method for securing a cable.

If you find yourself securing the same cable run in the same place over and over, you can save time and expense by using a cable protector instead.

Articulated Sidewinder cable protectors will even work when running cables around corners.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Outlets Right Where You Need Them-This Cable’s Perfect For Tent Lighting

Tent power is a tough job. Getting power where you need it while keeping cables out of traffic patterns and keeping a clean look is always a challenge.

Multi outlet cables from Century Wire places outlets every ten feet, giving you an outlet exactly where you need it.

Each outlet is lighted to let you know that it is powered and each outlet has a snap on cap to make it weather proof.

When you add a tough but flexible jacket and great coilability, you’ve got an extension cord that is made to solve tough prolems.

Available in white and black.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Outdoor Extension Cord Connectors Are Prone To Oxidation

Even though good extension cords have rust inhibiting plating, they are still subject to oxidation and rust. When this happens, they reduce their current carrying capacity, possibly causing a fire hazard and reducing the voltage that the extension cord can deliver.

Try these tips to minimize this oxidation-

When stored outside or transported, plug the male connector into the female connector to cover the conductors.

Periodically plug and unplug both the male and female connectors to clean the conductors.

Spray a little WD40 or other rust inhibiting spray onto the connectors to keep them oxidation free.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Why Longer Extension Cords Need To Be Larger

Every time you increase the distance that is required for an extension cord to deliver the needed power safely and efficiently, you increase the resistance that the flow of power faces to get where you want it to go.

The response of the flow of electrons to not having enough conductors is the turn the flow into heat. The more the heat, the less the power that is delivered to the other end of the cable.

Even if your power need is only 25 feet from the nearest outlet, if you use a 100 foot extension cord, the electrons still have to flow over the entire 100 feet, lowering the voltage that is delivered to the device you are powering.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

What “Knot” To Do With An Extension Cord

Tying knots in an extension cord is a quick way to shorten their life.

While it is tempting to tie two cords together to keep them from disconnecting or to knot one around itself to keep it from tangling while stored, this knotting causes the individual conductors to eventually break, reducing the current carrying capacity of the cable.

Because the outside diameter of a knot is greater than the inside diameter, the outside conductors are stretched and the inside conductors are compressed, both actions put too much stress on small individual wires.

The greater the number of conductors in an extension cord, the easier it is to coil, but greater numbers mean smaller individual diameters for each strand, making it more likely to be damaged when a knot is tied.

Instead of knotting, use some tie line or Velcro cord wrap.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Extension Cord Codes-What Those Letters Mean

Extension cords have mysterious letters and numbers printed on the jacket to show the uses for which they are appropriate. Things like amperage and voltage capacity and appropriateness for use in extreme conditions are what those codes identify.

The code is contained in the National Electrical Code and understanding it makes buying extension cords easier.

Here is what some of those codes refer to:

S Hard Service Flexible Cord
SJ Junior Hard Service Flexible Cord
E Thermoplastic Elastomer Insulation
T Thermoplastic Insulation
O Jacket is Oil Resistant
OO Jacket & Conductors are Oil Resistant
R Thermoplastic Rubber Insulation
X Cross-linked Synthetic Polymer Insulation
HH High Temperature
W Moisture Resistant
N Nylon Jacket

Our line of white extension cords from Century Wire have SJTW coded jackets, meaning that have a hard service flexible cable with thermoplastic insulation and they are moisture resistant and appropriate for outdoor use.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com

Who Is UL And Why Does It Matter?

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc., usually referred to as UL, is an independent product safety certification organization. They test products and write standards. They are a “not for profit” business and have been testing and certifying products for over 100 years.

The UL mark on a product tells you that samples of that item have been carefully and thoroughly tested and examined by a team of product safety pros.

All of our white extension cords from Centruy Wire are UL approved.

Harrison Bros. Inc.
TheTapeworks.com
Voice 866-386-8335
Fax 800-327-6651
sales@harrisonbros.com