Power Cable Buyer’s Guide
Power cables are a great thing to have in the house because they allow you to plug more things in and be able to extend the cord so that you can have your electrical devices closer to where you need them to be.
Power cords need to be bought with certain things in mind though. Here are some features you will want to look for when getting the right power cable. There are also some tips listed to make sure you are using the power cable safely and securely.
Power Rating
One of the most important things when it comes to power cables is that you need to make sure you are they can support all the power requirements for the various devices you have connected.
The best way to determine this is to look at the amperage of the devices you can plan to use. The amperage is also called the amps and simply means the watts or voltage of the device. You can usually find the amps in the user manual.
If you don’t have the user manual, you can look at the device online and see if you can find it in the product description.
You also need to find the amperage of the power cable. You can check the AWG (American Wire Gauge) rating of the cable. If the AWG number is lower, this means the wire is thicker and it has a higher capacity.
If it has a lower number, the cord capacity is better and you should be able to have enough power delivered to all your devices.
Make Sure You Don’t Overuse It
Extension cords are awesome for being able to bring your electrical devices closer to you when you have an outlet that is far away. Make sure you do not overuse the cord though. Keep in mind also that longer cords have lower amounts of voltage that can be delivered.
So, you might have an awesome long cord that can reach everywhere, but it might not be able to efficiently charge everything.
Make sure you get the right size for your cord. Measure the space between your outlet and the place you want to use the devices. Then, try to get a cord exactly that size or as close as you can. This keeps you from getting a cord that is too long which will end up lowering the efficiency of your devices.
Budget
Power cables come in all different sizes and prices. Some are much more expensive than others. There are ones that cost a few bucks and ones that are well over a hundred dollars. It can be hard to find the perfect one since the price ranges are huge.
The good news is that there are many power cables that are not expensive that still work very well and last a long time. Just make sure to read the reviews of any of the cables before purchasing them so that you can get an idea of how other people have liked them and see how long they lasted.
Follow All Safety Guidelines
Make sure you are never chaining more than one power together. Some people buy several different power cords that are shorter and then chain them together to form one long one. This is not advisable.
You should try to get a cord that is long enough to meet all your needs so that you can avoid getting a bunch of short ones and making a long one yourself.
Make sure you also only use cords that are not broken or damaged. Keep them away from doorways or where young children play as you don’t want anyone getting hurt. Keeping cords where people walk also makes a higher chance of them getting damaged and wearing out which means you need to replace them more often.
Keep the Cord Cool
All power cables need to be kept in a cool area so that they are not overheating. Never run a power cord below a carpet or rug as this can cause it to overheat and damage. If you notice that a plug is hot when you touch it, unplug it immediately.
You should avoid using cords that are too hot because they can cause fires and damage your appliances and devices.
