How Electrical Contractors Pick And Recommend Cabling | Arlington, TX
Electrical codes come in handy if you want to use electricity but are far from the electrical outlet or you want to use several appliances on one outlet. There are numerous electrical cord options in the electrical shops within or around Arlington, TX.
Despite their essential purpose of distributing power to several electrical equipment and devices at a time, they can pose electrical dangers in your home if you get the wrong cord.
With that in mind, you should always ask electrical contractors for the best type of extension cords that fit your electrical needs before buying one.
If you fail to heed an electrician’s advice on the proper use of the electrical cords can become a fire hazard that can consume lots of property and even claim the lives of its victims. This blog will explain the different extension cords that most electrical contractors can recommend for homes.
Plug Type
The first electrical extension cord suitable for homes is the plug type. Most cords have two or three prongs. The ones with three prongs are grounded, while the others with two prongs are not grounded. The ground wire in the third prong reduces the risk of short circuits and electric shocks.
If you have loose wires in your appliances or a faulty device that comes in contact with the three-pronged plug, the dangerous electrical circuit flowing from the hot wire will go directly to the ground, saving you from the electric shock. It is wise to get an electrician to maintain your appliances once in a while to fix loose wires to avert electrical hazards.
Light Duty Extension Cords
The electrical cords power your small devices such as clocks, portable fans, and work lights. The gauge of the light-duty extension cords ranges between 16 and 18 gauge, with a maximum of 50 feet in length. Electrical contractors can help you understand the relationship between the American wire gauge and the extension capacity to ensure you select a cord for usage.
The electrician can explain what gauge is the copper electrical wire that power passes through to your devices. The American Wire Gauge (AWG) with low value implies the copper wires are thick and have higher power capacity, while higher numbers show low power to a device. For that reason, the light-duty extension cords have high gauges of 16 and 18, a lower amp, and a short length.
The extension cords can only handle low electricity voltage, making them the best for lighting or powering smaller electrical devices. Therefore, it is wise to consult with electrical contractors before buying an extension cord to get the correct calculation of gauge, amp, and length in connection to the devices you are planning to power.
Heavy-Duty Extension Cords
People with high-powered appliances such as heaters, air conditioners, iron boxes, water heaters, and electric cookers use high voltage of power, hence the need for heavy-duty extension cords.
Electricians from reputable electric companies can use their skills and knowledge to help you calculate the right amp, gauge, and voltage of the extension cord suitable for all the electric equipment in your home.
They can also recommend you use different outlets for appliances such as washing machines and air conditioners because of the high power they need to avoid overheating the circuit, which can trip the circuit breaker and lead to an electrical fire.
The electrical contractors in Arlington, TX, recommend safe extension cords with 10 to 14 American Wire Gauge and high voltage after considering aspects such as the wattage of the devices and the length you want. The most powered extension cords are shorter, making them thicker and safe for use.
Indoor and Outdoor Extension Cords
Most extension cords are for indoor use. They are usually 25 feet or shorter and can use two or three-prong plugs. The amperage rating of the indoor extension cords should be equivalent to the power it is to supply to indoor appliances.
The outdoor extension cords can handle higher amperage or wattage to power higher electrical equipment such as lawn mowers and leaf blowers. The electrical contractors can help you select the best outdoor extension cables with durable insulation that can resist temperature changes such as heat, rain, or moisture. The extension cords meant for outdoor use are long and measure up to 150 feet.
It is worth noting that you can use the outdoor extension cords inside your home. However, it is dangerous to use the indoor extension cord outside because they might not have the grounded wires or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters for protective purposes.
In a Nutshell
Extension cords are essential in homes in rooms with numerous appliances that need to work simultaneously. With the extension cords, you can watch TV, use your laptop, connect your Wi-Fi router, iron, and even use the microwave without interfering with the performance of the other.
Electrical contractors can take you through the pros and cons of each extension cord to assist you in getting one that fits your electrical demands. You will choose between the light, heavy, outdoor, and indoor extension cables depending on what you want to power.
Instead of having many cords in your house, the extension cords can keep your living room or bedroom tidy, preventing the possibility of stepping on dangerous electrical wires.
The electrical contractors that help you get the best extension cords can recommend the three-prong extension cords for safety and use their knowledge to check the amperage to avoid circuit overloads that can cause overheating or fires. They can also advise against heavy appliances on light extension cords to prevent electrical hazards.
Need Professional Electrical Services!
So, if you want help on the type of extension cords to purchase for your electric needs, you can call Tioga Plumbing & Electric in Arlington, TX, to get electrical consultation services. We are a full-service and family-owned commercial and residential electrical company offering prompt and quality electrical services since 1953. Our electrical contractors provide competent consultative, installation, repair, and replacement electric services. They are highly trained, qualified, certified, and licensed and address all your electrical needs, leaving you satisfied.