A wide variety of household appliances gives rise to variability in their connection to the network. A new garden appliance may well not work if it is connected to a low-power extension cord. A power extension cord is needed for electrical appliances whose power is so high that they cannot be installed into an outlet directly or through a standard extension cord.
As a rule, such a need arises during repairs: most power tools have a lot of power. The next aspect that attracts users to power extension cords is the length of the wire; without a wire of sufficient length it is almost impossible to work in a summer cottage.
What is the difference between a household extension cord and a power extension cord?
Popular models of power extension cords are very different from their household counterparts:
- Power of connected equipment - devices with a power of 3 kW or more can be connected to a power extension cord; such high performance is not required in everyday life, but will be very useful for repair or gardening work;
- Cord length - the power extension cord can be moved even 50 m away from the stationary power point; this is of no use in an apartment, but for outdoor work, a longer length becomes a real salvation;
- Reliability – the power extension cord is much better protected from external influences. Thanks to double insulation of cables and sockets with an improved protection system, the risk of electric shock is reduced to zero.
What to look for when choosing an extension cord
Power
For work in a garage, you should use a power extension cord with a power of 3 kW or more. Household products (0.75 kW), suitable for connecting computers, televisions and other household appliances at home.
Wire size
Extension cord with wire cross-section 1 sq. mm can withstand a load of 10A (2.2 kW). A product of this power is suitable for connecting low-power devices. It is not recommended to use it for repair work in the garage. Device with wire cross-section 1.5 sq. mm can withstand a load of 16A (3.5 kW). It is possible to connect medium power tools to it. To use more solid equipment, you need to use extension cords with a wire cross-section of 2.5 square meters. mm and more.
Cable marking
The industry produces wires of various types. The cable type is indicated on the product label. The most popular option is an extension cord with a PVS cable (vinyl wire in a common sheath). It is more affordable and can withstand work in difficult conditions (temperature range: -25 – +40°C).
Cord length
To carry out repairs, you need to purchase an extension cord, the cord of which will allow you to reach any corner of the garage or, if necessary, you can take it outside.
Companies worth paying attention to
You also need to pay attention to the company that produces this product. Companies unknown to users, in an effort to sell their low-quality goods, declare inflated technical characteristics, which is not true. This is fraught with the creation of increased load, short circuit and ignition of wires.
Let's look at the best models of extension cords for the garage.
How to choose a power extension cord taking into account individual characteristics
The first thing that the future owner of a power extension cord should pay attention to is the cross-section of the wire and its marking. This factor will directly affect the possible load, the maximum permissible for a particular extension cord.
- A wire with a cross-section of 0.75 mm2 can withstand a load of up to 6 A, which is equivalent to 1.3 kW - such a cable will not withstand the load of powerful tools and is only suitable for household appliances;
- A wire with a cross-section of 1 mm2 will withstand a load of up to 10 A, which is equivalent to 2.2 kW - this cable will withstand the voltage from the operation of small tools;
- A wire with a cross-section of 1.5 mm2 will withstand a load of up to 16 A, which is equivalent to 3.5 kW - professional equipment remains beyond the capabilities of the cable, but it is optimal for any construction tools for personal use.
Subsequent values from 2.5 to 120 mm2 are the best options for people whose career is related to construction and repair, in which they cannot do without powerful tools and equipment. In order to determine which cable cross-section will be ideal for a particular person, room and task, you can use a simple calculation scheme:
- Calculate the power of all electrical appliances in the apartment: the value will be impressive, and hardly anyone will use all the appliances at once, but it is necessary to know the upper limit for safety reasons;
- Add the previous value and the sum of the powers of all lighting fixtures in the room. The final figure will reflect the maximum load limit. For example, the indicator is 10 kW;
- Use the table below to find the required cross-section; for an indicator of 10 kW, you can choose a cable with 4 mm2 copper conductors with a power of 380 V.
| Cable cross-section | Copper cable | Aluminum cable | ||
| 220 V | 380 V | 220 V | 380 V | |
| 1 mm | 3 | 5.3 | — | — |
| 1.5 mm | 3.3 | 5.7 | — | — |
| 2 mm | 4.1 | 7.2 | 3 | 5.3 |
| 2.5 mm | 4.6 | 7.9 | 3.5 | 6 |
| 4 mm | 5.9 | 10 | 4.6 | 7.9 |
| 5 mm | 7.4 | 12 | 5.7 | 9.8 |
| 10 mm | 11 | 19 | 8.3 | 14 |
| 16 mm | 17 | 30 | 12 | 20 |
| 25 mm | 22 | 38 | 14 | 24 |
| 35 mm | 29 | 51 | 16 | — |
Among the brands of wires, you can most often find PVA variants, although their characteristics are far from ideal. The summary table will help you choose the brand of wire depending on your needs.
| Cable brand | Permissible temperature limits | Recommendations for use | Life time |
| PVS | From -25 to +40 | It becomes dull in the cold, so it is better to use it in warm seasons. The cable is resistant to sunlight and heat | More than 6 years |
| PRS | -40 to +40 | Excellent technical characteristics for both indoor and outdoor cable use, withstands extreme temperatures | More than 6 years |
| KG | -40 to +50 | The cable does not like the sun very much, but behaves well in field conditions: it is not afraid of bends and creases | About 4 years |
| KGN | -30 to +50 | The cable needs to be protected from the sun, but it copes with other external problems perfectly. The optimal answer to the question of which cable is better to buy if it can be exposed to sparks and aggressive chemicals that corrode the sheath | About 2.5 years |
| KG-HL | -60 to +50 | The cable perfectly shows its advantages at subzero temperatures, maintaining flexibility, it does not lose electrical and mechanical properties. Weakness: sunlight, it does not like direct sun exposure | 4 years |
DIY extension cord: things to remember
An electrical extension cord or carrier is present in every home and office.
The need for this simple electrical device arises when you need to connect electrical equipment in the absence of a permanent outlet or a power tool in a hard-to-reach place. Assembly instructions:
You can purchase a ready-made extension cord. But it’s safer and cheaper to make it yourself.
If you have the components and skills to work with the tool, the process will take 20 minutes. You will need: a collapsible plug, a wire of the required length and a block of sockets.
- Availability of grounding. Therefore, we choose a three-core cable, and the plug and sockets have grounding terminals.
- Availability of an appropriate degree of protection for sockets. For example, a design for the street and a bathroom should be waterproof, with a hinged lid. A surge protector is used in carrying computer equipment. External type sockets cannot be used; the rear wall must be closed. It is recommended to connect a block of sockets consisting of at least three pieces
- Correspondence of the wire brand to the operating conditions, and the cross-sectional area to the power (current) of the load.
Assembly order:
- Strip the ends of the cable of insulation by 4-6 centimeters, and each core by 10 millimeters, carefully without damaging it.
- Disassemble and connect the plug on one side, the sockets on the other. Inside there are special terminals for the cable.
- Check the extension cord with a multimeter.
- Tighten the screws and complete assembly.
To increase the reliability of the extension cord, you can make it with a switch in the form of a button.
If the carrying wire is long, for example 20 meters, it should be wound on a special reel, which you can also make with your own hands.
The best manufacturers of power extension cords
If the issue with the technical parameters of power extension cords has been resolved, you should pay attention to the manufacturing company: buying a product from a well-known brand is safer, since there is less risk of receiving a defective product, and if this happens, there is a higher chance of getting a replacement; for large corporations, reputation is more valuable than quick money.
Which company is better to buy a power extension cord:
- Glanzen is a large corporation that produces not only extension cords, but also LED lamps, spotlights and panels. Modern laboratories and workshops are located in Kolomna, near Moscow. The brand has proven itself well in the modern Russian market, and the popularity of the models allows us to believe in a bright future for Russian industry;
- Lux is a Russian brand that produces decent, but at the same time budget power extension cords. The company does not save on raw materials, but reduces costs due to simple design;
- Inforce - over the 8 years of its existence, the company has managed to enter the top ten best manufacturers of tools and components for them in our country. The company closely monitors all new products on the world market and makes them available to the Russian consumer, studying their needs based on sociological surveys and correspondence.
Extension cord with grounding and switch
Before choosing or without grounding and a switch
- what exactly will you connect to it;
- how many nests are needed;
- what length of wire is needed;
- Will the devices work simultaneously?
An extension cord with grounding and a switch best appreciated by those who select it for a desktop computer - here all connected devices do not work or always work at the same time, and their price is high enough to worry about protection. If an extension cord is needed to periodically connect various household appliances, then there is little point in overpaying for a button.
The best power extension cords on a reel
Power extension cords on a reel are convenient and, as a rule, have a fairly long cord length. These devices are often used by repair professionals due to the large number of outlets - there can be from 3 to 4.
1st place – power extension cord Glanzen EB-50-007
An extension cord from the leader of the Russian market will be an ideal solution for owners of large summer cottages - a wire length of 50 meters will allow you to work at a decent distance from a stationary power source. A special handle is provided for winding the cable, which will facilitate the process. The plastic case is lightweight - the specific weight of the entire product is only 5 kg, but is reliable, which is supported by the manufacturer's warranty. 4 sockets are equipped with covers and are built into the body of the coil - ideal protection against splashes. The reel has a portable handle and a metal base that stands stable even on uneven surfaces.
Maximum power – 3500 W.
Cable cross-section – 3x1.5.
The average price is 2300 rubles.
Advantages:
- Great design;
- The reel is made of impact-resistant plastic;
- The presence of a carrying handle, a handle for winding up the cable, a metal base;
- Cord length 50 meters;
- There is a thermal switch that protects against overloads;
- There is grounding;
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- Not very high power;
- Before each use, the entire length of the cable must be completely unwound.
2nd place – LUX K4-E-50
A powerful power extension cord that even professionals can use. The KG brand cable allows safe use in severe frost conditions: the wire does not crack and does not deteriorate its technical characteristics. The product’s wide functionality is also enhanced by its fairly high power – 3500 W. The reel is made of metal, has 4 sockets, is equipped with a carrying handle, a handle for winding the wire and a durable base. Among the significant shortcomings, users note that the load of the declared 3500 W is still too much for the extension cord to handle.
Advantages:
- Wire length 50 meters;
- Sufficiently high power, suitable even for professionals;
- Metal coil;
- KG brand cable is frost resistant;
- 4 sockets allow you to use several devices at once.
Flaws:
- Does not always withstand the maximum stated load level;
- The sockets do not have covers and are not splash-proof;
- Heavy weight – 50 kg;
- Not affordable for everyone.
Maximum power – 3500 W.
Cable cross-section – 3x2.5.
The average price is 6600 rubles.
Which wire is best to choose for carrying?
For carrying, only copper wire is used, which has a sufficient degree of flexibility and double insulation. If one layer is damaged, the second will protect against electric shock. This is important because the extension cord is in the public domain.
All requirements are met by PVS brand wire. It has proven itself well in everyday life and on the construction site. PVA wire has a high degree of flexibility and can withstand severe mechanical loads.
The insulation of the PVA grade wire is made of PVC plastic. With prolonged use in extreme temperatures: below -25 degrees and above +40, it will crack.
Therefore, when operating an extension cord in harsh temperature conditions with frequent movements, it is worth using a KG brand cable with a rubber sheath and insulation.
The best power extension on the frame
Glanzen ER-40-001 00012325
Many owners of summer cottages and simply areas in need of care cannot purchase power extension cords on a reel because of their considerable cost, but the selection criteria include the length of the cord. In this case, a reasonable solution is to buy a power extension cord on the frame - such a device has a fairly long cord, but the cost is not much higher than its shorter counterparts.
The Glanzen brand model ER-40-001 00012325 is an excellent solution for domestic use. The cable does not withstand outdoor conditions very well, despite being moisture-resistant and dust-resistant - it is better to work with it indoors. The 40-meter cord will not get tangled thanks to the presence of the frame, but winding and unwinding it is a rather tedious process.
Maximum power – 1300 W.
Cable cross-section – 2x0.75.
The average price is 750 rubles.
Advantages:
- Long cord – 40 meters;
- Low cost;
- The frame prevents the cord from getting tangled;
- Protection from moisture and dust.
Flaws:
- Low power;
- No grounding;
- It is inconvenient to constantly unwind and rewind the cable manually.
Grounded vs. Grounded Extension Cord
The moment you compare different extension cords, you will notice one obvious difference: the plug will have two or three contacts. The third pin is ground, which provides a return path for excess electrical current to prevent damage to the appliance or, worse, electrocution to the user.
Mostly, you will see non-grounded extension cords that only have two prongs. They can be safely used with items that do not consume a lot of energy (lamps, fans, clocks, etc.). However, if the device has a three-prong connector, you will need to connect it to a three-wire (grounded) extension cord.
You can easily connect a device with a two-prong plug to a grounded extension cord, but do not connect a three-prong plug to an ungrounded extension cord.
The best power extension cords for one outlet
Power extension cords for one outlet will be an excellent solution if you have your own household: you can connect a saw, a jigsaw or a lawn mower one at a time.
1st place – power extension cord LUX YC1-E-10 (Y-161)
This power extension cord will be the best option for individual repair work on a small scale: the PVA wire is not afraid of bends and large loads that may accidentally end up on it, and the length of 10 meters will allow you to carry out work in the yard without any difficulties or inconveniences. The socket is completely safe thanks to the rubberized body; it is not afraid of high humidity.
Maximum power – 2200 W.
Cable cross-section – 3x0.75.
The average price is 550 rubles.
Advantages:
- Affordable price;
- Wire with grounding;
- Bright cable color, visible from afar;
- Rubberized socket.
Flaws:
- Low power for a power extension cord;
- Cable length is only 10 m;
- Before work, be sure to unwind the wire completely.
Extension cord with grounding and switch
Before choosing or without grounding and a switch
- what exactly will you connect to it;
- how many nests are needed;
- what length of wire is needed;
- Will the devices work simultaneously?
An extension cord with grounding and a switch best appreciated by those who select it for a desktop computer - here all connected devices do not work or always work at the same time, and their price is high enough to worry about protection. If an extension cord is needed to periodically connect various household appliances, then there is little point in overpaying for a button.
