How to Choose an extension cord

Extension or as it is sometimes called the "carry" (although it is fundamentally wrong) is in every house. Quite often we need to connect any device, and the socket is too far away or trite busy. And in the garage or on the construction site without extension just simply can not do.

Properly selected extender will last you much longer than the purchased product at random. In this article I will discuss what you should look for when choosing an extension cord.

Cable section and length

When you choose an extension cord, most importantly, pay attention to how much current (how much power) can withstand the product. In most cases, this option is specified on the product or in the accompanying documents.

Some people mistakenly believe that if it is written on the product 16 Amps and there are 4 outlets, then each of them can be connected load of 16 Amps. So, it is not so!

In order to properly select the desired conductor cross-section, you can use the following algorithm:

On 1 square millimeter section wires should have no more than 10 Amps.

This, of course, quite a rough calculation, but for the everyday needs of its more than enough.

Length

Cable length extension y can vary from 1 meter to 50+. Moreover, up to 25 m section may be varied, but from 25 meters to be used with wire in a core section of 2.5 mm2. This is necessary in order to reduce losses and to increase the strength of the product.

In most cases, the extenders used PVA grade wire.

Just found an extension cord with wire SHVVP.

Its insulation is much thinner and therefore such an extension cord with the active use very quickly fail.

If you need the product for heavy-duty construction, the best option would be if an extension cord is used cable KG

Note. Due to the fact that on our shelves are so many counterfeit products, the application section of veins may not correspond to actual values. To reduce the risk of buying a fake buy an extension cord only tested and large specialty stores.

Plugs sockets and their number

The next thing you should look for when choosing an extension cord, it's the way the plug is made, and how many outlets there.

For example, plugs may be demountable or cast construction. Give preference to the monolithic, since such plugs will last a little longer separable.

Just extension cords with the folding fork more often than others are counterfeit products.

The number of outlets can be from 1 to 4 units, more rarely with 5 or more. In this case, note that the outlet can be a ground contact or without it. Note that if you connect electrical appliances with old-style plugs (Soviet standard), these forks will be hard to go into a grounded outlet.

If you need an extension cord for a specific appliance, there is no reason to buy the product from, for example, three sockets, better take such an option here:

As it is necessary to pay attention to the degree of protection socket, if you intend to use an extension cord on the street where there is a possibility of moisture in the product, use the product with a high degree of protection:

Availability of the power button and the mains filter

For connecting home electronics in most cases, use special extenders having in their structure button (switch) switching, a special mains filter, varistor and fuse.

Which is better to use an extension cord where

Let's take for an example, consider a few standard when necessary an extension cord and a while is better to use:

Connecting a computer with peripheral equipment. Typically, in a standard set includes the following users requiring connection to the socket:

Monitor, system unit, router, computer speakers, a printer. This is the minimum that can be expanded. To connect the above would be enough for a standard mains filter.

If you need to connect only one drill, then the best option would be to use here such an extension cord:

For the use of the garage is suitable here is a universal extension cable drum performance:

Important. If through such extension will connect a significant load, it must necessarily completely unwind wire from the reel. If you do not, then in the process of work in irregularly wound wire will be induced inductance, which will be further heat conductive, and since it is unwound and is not sufficiently cooled, this may lead to melting of the insulation and short circuit.

If you want to connect the electric stove, then in this case it is strictly forbidden to use extension cords. Electric must be connected through a separate line, which is protected by its guns RCD.

If you decide to self-assemble an extension cord, the detailed process you will find in this article.

conclusion

That's all I wanted to tell you about how the extender is selected correctly. If the article is to provide you with useful or interesting, then vote it Like. Thank you for your attention!