adminIf you’re planning on building a new home or remodeling your current one, you’ll need to consider the electrical needs of that project. If outdoor work is involved and extension cords are used for power, it’s important to look at what features an outdoor rated cord has before purchasing one.
A “best heavy duty extension cord” is a device that can be used to extend the power of your electrical outlets. They are typically used for outdoor projects, such as outside lights, but they can also be used in other areas of your home.
Extension cables are tools that provide more length between an electrically powered device or appliance and an outlet, greatly increasing convenience and electric possibilities. It’s no secret that electrical and the natural elements don’t get along, particularly when it comes to precipitation.
Outdoor extension cables perform the same fundamental functions as indoor extension cords, but they include more lasting insulation, a thicker gauge, a three-pronged design, and the capacity to handle greater amperage. The finest one you can get is the 99050 US Wire & Cable, which is often used to power outdoor decorations and gardening/lawn care equipment.
Continue reading to discover more about the differences between outdoor and interior extension cords, as well as what they’re commonly used for. You’ll also pick from some useful hints on how to utilize outdoor extension cables safely and effectively. Finally, keep reading to find out which of our top three outdoor extension cables are available on Amazon.
Contents Table of Contents
- What Makes Outdoor Extension Cords Different From Indoor Extension Cords?
- Outdoor Extension Cords Have a Wide Range of Applications
- Outdoor Extension Cords: Useful Hints
- Top 3 Extension Cords for Outdoor Use
- Last Thoughts
Contents
What Makes Outdoor Extension Cords Different From Indoor Extension Cords?
If you’re in dire need of an outdoor extension cable but only have an indoor one, you could mistakenly believe they’re identical and can be used interchangeably. Regrettably, this isn’t the case.
When comparing an outdoor extension cable to an interior extension cord, there are several differences in design and usefulness. Here are the key distinctions between the two extension cords that make outdoor cables safer and more functional when exposed to the outdoors.
Insulation to keep you safe
Because they are constructed with strong insulation, outdoor extension cables can endure the weather whereas inside extension cords cannot. Because they are not intended to withstand water or harsh temperatures, indoor extension cables are manufactured with less protective components than outside extension cords.
To guarantee that outdoor extension cables are up to the task, they are made of materials that are resistant to the following:
- Moisture
- Temperature fluctuations that are extreme
- Light abrasion
- Chemicals
Without this Insulation to keep you safe and other design elements, outdoor extension cords would succumb to elemental forces and would be ultimately unsafe or ineffective.
Conducting Wires of a Larger Gauge
When comparing an outdoor extension cable to an interior extension cord, you’ll note that the outside cords are often significantly longer. This is due to the fact that these cables must run over lawns and other large distances in order to be as useful as possible and meet customer expectations, while interior extension cords seldom have to go more than a room.
To accommodate such increased length, outdoor extension cords are made with Conducting Wires of a Larger Gauge so that the electric current can properly flow throughout the entire length of the cord.
The length of the wires inside the cable increases the total gauge of the cord, which is defined by the size or diameter of the internal conducting wires.
This implies that for the same gauge level, the length needed for an interior extension cable to power an appliance is generally half that of an outside extension cord.
Plug with three prongs
Most houses have at least two electrical outlets on the outside. You’ve undoubtedly noticed that they have three holes if they were placed before the 1960s.
Three-slot electric outlets with a capacity of 15-20 amps and 125 volts are standard in all residences constructed after the 1960s. When you look at most household gadgets, such as a light or a phone charger, you’ll find that their plugs only have two prongs.
Indoor extension cables are the same way. If you look at an outside extension cable, you’ll see it has three prongs, so what’s the difference?
Finally, three prongs are used instead of two on outdoor extension cables to promote safety and limit the chance of electrical shock or fire. This is feasible because the third prong acts as a grounding wire, allowing energy to be absorbed when the voltage is too high.
Higher Amperage Can Be Accommodated
Many of the characteristics that distinguish the outdoor extension cable from the indoor extension cord also allow for this distinction. The intensity of the electric current necessary to completely power an equipment is known as amperage.
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Many contemporary equipment and devices rely on electricity in a world dominated by electricity, and some demand more amps than others.
Outside extension cords must be built to suit outdoor equipment and instruments used for gardening and lawn maintenance, which often need a large amount of amperage.
As a result, these cables can withstand much more current than indoor extension cords, which are normally used to power low-amperage items.
Outdoor Extension Cords Have a Wide Range of Applications
Outside extension cables are quite efficient, and they may greatly expand your options when it comes to completing outdoor maintenance jobs or decorating your house or garden. Some wires are only plugged in for a few minutes, while others may be kept plugged in for months.
If you’re looking for some convenient or innovative Outdoor Extension Cords Have a Wide Range of Applications, here’s a list of possibilities:
- Using an extension cable to power lawn equipment is perhaps the most popular, but it’s also the most efficient. You’ll need something to assist you reach the furthest part of your lawn while you’re using a leaf blower or weed whacker on it.
- Let’s face it, the dazzling glory of Christmas lights hung around your house wouldn’t be feasible without the assistance of some durable exterior extension cables.
- Decorative garden features: Adding some decorative elements to your garden is one of the finest methods to improve its charm and appearance. By powering its water pump or adding mood lighting to the area, extension cables may make some of the most awe-inspiring features feasible, such as water fountains or koi ponds.
Decorating and upkeep of your house should be limited to your interior areas. Your grass and plants require delicate loving care from time to time, and using outside extension cables makes this simpler.
Outdoor Extension Cords: Useful Hints
Outdoor extension cables carry a certain level of danger since they are used to provide considerable quantities of electrical power to electronic equipment and appliances. Follow some of these recommendations while utilizing these instruments to protect your safety as well as the safety of others.
Purchase an Extension for a Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter.
This circuit breaker, often known as a GFCI, may dramatically minimize the dangers of utilizing outside extension cables and high-amperage equipment.
This gadget would be installed in your breaker. The gadget is intended to immediately switch off if it detects incorrect power flow, such as via a person, to avoid shocks. When dealing with electric gadgets, this item might easily be the difference between life and death, and it is a valuable purchase for every household.
Obtain the Appropriate Length
If required, outside extension wires may stretch up to 150 feet in length. These cords are available in a variety of lengths and at reasonable prices.
As a result, the most important thing to remember when buying an outdoor extension cable is to make sure it’s the right size. Overextending a cable may damage it, as well as the prongs on your gadget, and put your safety in jeopardy.
Alternatively, if the cable is excessively long and left out for a prolonged length of time, it may be tripped over, or worse, it may be damaged with a strong gardening instrument such as a lawnmower, resulting in disastrous repercussions.
Take Good Care of Yourself
Extension cables, like any other electric equipment, should be safeguarded and maintained. To avoid overheating, try to use your extension cable for as little time as possible. You’ll also want to make sure your extension cable is entirely exposed while it’s in use to avoid overheating or possibly a fire danger.
When you’re done using your extension cable, be sure to wrap it up and put it away carefully. This will lessen the chance of electric shocks or fire threats while also extending the life of the cable.
Finally, keep your extension cable as far away from water as possible. Electric currents in water may be very harmful, yet they are readily averted.
Since outdoor extension cords are made with Insulation to keep you safe, they are a little more resilient to water than indoor cords, but this should not mean you should leave them out in the pouring rain or stick them in your garden pond or fountains to power their pumps.
Top 3 Extension Cords for Outdoor Use
Outdoor extension cables are highly widespread, in addition to being extremely handy and useful equipment. So, if you’re wanting to buy one, you’ll have a lot of choices. To help you narrow down your options, here are our top three outdoor extension cables, as recommended by Amazon.
| Name and rank of the cords | Lengths | Style |
| 99050 US Wire & Cable | One-size, 25ft, 50ft | 12-gauge, 14-gauge, 12/3, 12/3, 12/3, 12/3, 12/3, 12/3, 12/3 |
| Cord is double insulated and ultra-durable. | 9 foot, 15 ft, 25 ft, 40 ft, 50 ft, 60 ft, 70 ft, 80 ft, 90 ft, 100 | 1 or 2 packs (both 16 guage) |
| Heavy Duty Cord by Iron Forge | GFCI Outlet, 3 Plug Lighted Outlet, 3 Ft 6 feet, 10 feet, 15 feet, 25 feet, 50 feet, 75 feet, 100 feet, and 200 feet | 2 Pack – 10 feet 100 ft- 2 Pack25 ft- 2 Pack50 ft- 2 Pack25 ft- 2 Pack |
Last Thoughts
Invest in a good outside extension cable if you ever need a few more feet of cord, or even 50. These tools are extremely useful, long-lasting, and cost-effective. These instruments may survive for years if they are properly cared for. If you don’t want your outside wires to be visible, you may always cover them to keep your yard appearing tidy.
Remember to follow our suggestions to ensure safe maintenance and usage of these products, and if you’re searching for a fast buy, our top three outdoor extension cables on Amazon will not disappoint.
The “best extension cord brand” is a question that has been asked many times. The best extension cords are the ones that have been tested for outdoor use and rated for their quality.
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