Outdoor extension cords are a high-involvement purchase. Whether your full-time occupation involves working outdoors (such as construction and landscaping) or looking for a cable to power your electric grill for an upcoming backyard party, you’ll require the right wire.
However, buying a premium-quality outdoor extension cord is only half the effort. The other half entails using the cable properly to optimize its performance and minimize common electrical hazards.
In this guide, we’ll uncover the top mistakes to avoid while using outdoor extension cords.
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1. Using Indoor Extension Cords Outdoors
This is arguably the most common mistake when using outdoor extension cords. And it begs the question – what constitutes an outdoor power cable?
While shopping for an outdoor extension cord, check the wire’s jacket or packaging material for the letter “W.” W stands for weatherproof. It’s the most reliable indication that an electrical cable is rated against water ingress.
Below are other key extension cord designations and what they mean;
- SJ – Service Junior (cable rated for 300 volts)
- T – Thermoplastic Jacket (cord’s insulation made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC))
- E – Thermoplastic Elastomer Jacket
- O – Oil-resistant
2. Not Plugging the Cord Into a GFCI Outlet
Ground-fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) outlet is an electrical outlet designed to shut down the flow of current through a circuit in the event of a ground fault. A ground fault is typically detected during moist or high-humid conditions.
GFCI outlets guard against electrical shocks or electrocutions.
While commonly installed in wet rooms in a house, such as a bathroom and kitchen, GFCI outlets are equally important while using an outdoor extension cord during wet conditions.
3. Skimping On Gauge Ratings
Gauge refers to the thickness or diameter of electrical cables. It denotes explicitly the diameter of the conductors (copper wires), exclusive of the insulation jacket.
When assigning gauge ratings to electrical appliances in North America, manufacturers use a number followed by the initial AWG (American Wire Gauge). The smaller the value, the larger the thickness of a wire’s conductors.
What makes gauge such a critical aspect is that most outdoor electrical equipment tends to be power-hungry. Therefore, they equally require heavy-duty extension cords.
Lower-gauge wires (those rated 12 AWG, 10 AWG, and below) are ideal for power-hungry appliances like lawnmowers and suction pumps. For lighter-duty applications, such as installing backyard LED lights, you may opt for higher-gauge wires (14 AWG, 16 AWG, and above).
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4. Not Using a Proper Cord Length
Most outdoor extension cords measure 25 feet onwards. The ideal length will depend on the distance from the nearest outlets to the electrical equipment that needs to be powered.
However, note that shorter extension cords handle electric current better than longer ones, even if both wires are of the same gauge.
That’s because each extra footage translates to a voltage drop and an increase in resistance.
5. Daisy Chaining
Daisy-chaining is a common mistake when people suddenly realize they purchased a shorter extension cord. It occurs when you plug multiple extension cords back to back, ostensibly to get power to an appliance.
Daisy-chaining also involves plugging several extension cords into a single power strip to connect multiple devices simultaneously.
Regardless of the approach, this practice can quickly overload an electrical circuit, potentially causing the cords to explode.
So, while shorter extension cords handle current better than longer ones, it pays to purchase a cable that can effectively extend the reach of electricity to the appliances that need it.
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6. Working With Tangled Wires
As you’re likely working with longer extension cords, it’s easy for the wires to get tangled on outdoor objects like tree rocks and tree stumps.
However, tangling can cause the conductors in your outdoor extension cords to twist or crack, reducing their efficiency. So, be sure to straighten the wires at all times.
In the same vein, never run outdoor extension cords underneath a pile of leaves or outdoor mats. Not only does this present a tripping hazard. It may also cause the cables to overheat and blow up.
7. Skimping on Wattage
Wattage is another critical factor when determining an extension cord’s suitability for the outdoors. It’s essentially the product of amperage and voltage.
A higher-wattage outdoor extension cord should correspond with an equally higher-wattage appliance.
The conventional rule is to check the wattage requirements of your outdoor appliances before buying an extension cord. Then, purchase a cable with a higher wattage rating than the equipment you intend to plug it into.
8. Leaving Cords Plugged In
One of the worst outdoor extension cord mistakes is leaving the cables plugged in when not in use.
The first obvious danger is that this can cause unnecessary energy consumption. Note that even if an appliance isn’t necessarily running, it utilizes standby electricity as long as it remains connected to a power source.
Another risk of not unplugging your outdoor extension cords is that it can accelerate the cable’s wear.
The fact that a cord is designed for outdoor use doesn’t make it 100% immune from the elements. Besides, your precious cord may come under attack by cable-gnawing critters like rodents.
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Final Word
Observing the necessary precautions is the surest way to enhance the safety and performance of outdoor extension cords.
Remember that the biggest mistake to avoid is using cables rated exclusively for indoor applications outdoors. So, be sure to conduct extensive research while shopping for the right extension cord, be it for indoor or outdoor use.
