How To Explore the Best Outdoor Extension Cord Options Available In 2024

Extension cords are electrical wires that are used to reach farther-flung appliances or gadgets from an outlet. These cords are used in offices, homes and even outdoor parties according to their functionality.

As the world progresses, our ever-changing needs demand technology to be in pace with us. From simply being a medium for power supply, time demands extension cords to be better and more efficient.

Here is how you should explore outdoor extension cords, revealing creative options that can revolutionize your outdoor activities. From its types to its uses, we have everything covered for you as you step into the year 2024.

1. Types of Extension Cords by Applications: Light-Duty, Medium-Duty, Heavy-Duty

Extension cords come in many types, depending on their applications. These cords can be divided into heavy-duty, medium-duty and light-duty.

Applications of Heavy-Duty Extension Cords

Space heaters and other warmers are examples of heavy-duty equipment that require heavy-duty extension cables. These cables have an ampacity of up to 15 amps.

The sizes that they come in range from 14 AWG to 10 AWG. AWG values are as follows: 12 AWG for cables up to 50 feet long and 10 AWG for cords up to 100 feet long. Due to their characteristics, these cables are often used as outdoor extension cord.

Applications of Medium-Duty Extension Cords

Regular-duty extension cords are constructed from materials comparable to those of light extension cords, but for 10 amps and less, they are safer in various situations because they feature a grounding conductor.

Standard electronics like TVs, speakers, PCs, DVD players, etc. are typically utilized with them. Heavy-duty appliances, however, are not permitted to use them.

Applications of Light-Duty Extension Cords

The most basic type of extension cable, light-duty extension cables, are not intended for many uses. It is also the least expensive kind of extension cable. Since these cables typically lack a grounding wire, they have additional safety issues. In terms of the letter code associated with this particular kind of extension cord, the letter S is typically used to indicate that the cable is meant for general usage.

Lamp wire cables used in lighting are similar to light-duty extension cords. No use other than light-duty service is permitted for the light-duty extension cables. Specifically, they are prohibited from utilizing the heating apparatus. Some of the equipment prohibited from being used with an extension cord are space heaters, boilers, furnaces, and irons.

2. Buy longer than you think you’ll need

When buying an extension cord, purchase the next longest extension cable that is the length you need. The inconvenience of barely reaching your work area makes a longer chord handier, and it’s also safer.

This is because connecting extension cables in a daisy-chain fashion is not intended. There is more electrical resistance between the outlet and the object you are trying to power when many cables are connected and are longer than necessary (without larger wires to make up for the distance).

Increased resistance can, therefore, result in voltage dips, which will need lesser power usage from tools like saws, drills, and vacuums. A higher chance of one of the cables melting or even igniting a fire arises from the added resistance that daisy-chaining cords provide along the path. 

3. Look for cords that can handle 15 amps.

If you’re unsure how length and cord thickness relate to one another, at the very least, check the package for the amperage rating.

We advise against using extension cables with a 10 A or 13 A rating for indoor and outdoor use. Get one rated at least 15 A instead. (You should completely disregard the cable if it doesn’t specify a maximum amperage.)

This allows you to plug in any home item or piece of equipment, and before the cord is stretched over its breaking point, 15 A breakers or fuses—the sort found in most domestic electrical panels—will cease the power.

4. Plug Types

Usually, extension cables are packaged with two or three-prong connectors. Specialty cables feature extra outlets for high-amperage appliances and applications like construction equipment and recreational vehicles.  

In a home electrical circuit, the third prong of the extension cord offers a way to the ground wire. Electrical shock and fire hazards are significantly decreased by this ground wire. The three-prong cord itself needs to be utilized exclusively with three-slot outlets that are correctly grounded. 

Advice: Connecting gadgets that use more current might result in overheating. Verify the safe maximum amperage that each extension cable is capable of conducting.

5. SAMPLE USES

Here are some popular products and the required extension cable size for each to demonstrate how the formula functions in real life.

Any outdoor equipment that draws 12 amps or less should be connected to a 16-gauge light-duty wire. Air compressors, circular saws, snow blowers, and leaf blowers are usually examples of this.

For ornamental outdoor lights and seasonal lights, use a 14-gauge cable. When assembling your Christmas lighting, never run two extension cables simultaneously.

Conclusion

With clever designs and security features, outdoor extension cord innovation will flourish in 2024.

Use caution while using power-hungry gadgets and stay away from using extension cords indoors for high-amperage appliances. The correct extension cord selection in 2024 offers a safe, effective power supply for various applications by considering compatibility, safety, and special demands.