Best Extension Cord Reviews 2018

It’d be unrealistic to expect the price of a 100-yard extension cord to be the same as a 50-yard variant. That said, the length, design, materials, and properties packed in an extension cord affect its price. A water-resistant extension cord that can be used outdoors and covers 50 – 100 yards will cost up to $100. Ones designed for indoor use, covering shorter distances, will cost around $20. We know you’re safety conscious, so avoid cheap extension cords. They’re made with inferior materials that’ll melt in the heat and are not water resistant.

Extension cords are designed for different places. Knowing where to use one depends on its features. Consider these features when looking for your ideal extension cord:

• Length
• Wire gauge
• Voltage
• Certification
• Indoor/Outdoor
• Extras

Go ahead and read our detailed explanation of these features.

Needing electricity in places with no electrical outlet can be a challenge. An extension cord is our knight in shining armor – well, a PVC jacket – during these times. These cords come in varying lengths to cover a reasonable distance depending on where you need them. Suppose you need electricity in your garage, which is some yards away from the closest electrical outlet. You can take a rough measurement of the distance and get a slightly longer cord just to be safe. There are extension cords as long as 100 yards. Others are just 50 yards if you don’t need one that long.

Maximum attention has to be paid when dealing with electrical appliances, which is why the wire gauge of the extension cable is so important. How thick or thin the cable is will largely determine its use to you. It is equally important to know the average voltage and amps that are needed for your extension cord. The amount of electric current it can safely conduct will help you determine if or where to use it. This is always written in the manufacturer’s guide. If the electrical terms seem a bit confusing or technical, feel free to consult the extension cord company’s tech person to guide you before making a purchase.

One sure way to verify the quality and safety of these cords is to look out for their certifications. Remember, this is electricity we’re talking about, and one small mistake can cause irreparable damage. That’s why you need to know if your cord is endorsed by organizations that have carried out tests and made sure it’s safe for use. CUL, ETL, OSHA, and UL (The US-approved company that carries out safety tests) are some of the bodies to look out for. If an extension cord fails to have certification from one of these bodies, then it’s not safe for use.

Where you intend to use your extension cord will affect your choice. One intended for outdoor use would require the manufacturer to consider factors like exposure to heat, rain, and severe weather conditions. The extension cord must be fortified to work perfectly without being affected by any of these factors. This is why outdoor extension cords are made to be waterproof, oil proof, moisture proof and resistant to sunlight and abrasion, and they should also have a water-resistant blade. Indoor or outdoor, choose a cord that works for you.

An outdoor extension needs to be clearly visible so it won’t be tampered with, which can result in an accident. This is why they need to come in colors that make them easily spotted. Finally, extension cords come in designs that will not affect your floor – it can’t be solving one problem while creating another. Those are some of the extras to look out for when choosing an extension cord.

We hope the information we have given will help you decide on the ideal extension cord.