Latest news with #extensioncord
Gizmodo
21-07-2025
- Gizmodo
Amazon's Choice 5ft Power Strip Is Just Under $10, a Dorm Room and Travel Essential
Shoving a dresser an inch from the wall to make room for a chunky power strip can pull more dust bunnies into view than any of us care to see. The One Beat Flat Plug Power Strip, 5ft Flat Extension Cord slips into that tight spot instead, letting furniture sit flush and giving phones, lamps, and laptops a tidy place to plug in. It feels like finding a hidden shelf you did not know the room could offer. Head over to Amazon to get the One Beat Flat Plug Power Strip, 5ft Flat Extension Cord for just $10, down from its usual price of $17. That is a 41% off. See at Amazon The star of the show is the plug itself. It is barely thicker than a smartphone, so it slides behind bookshelves or a couch pushed against the wall. The cord exits parallel to the outlet, guiding the five‑foot cable along the baseboard instead of jutting straight out into walking space. That routing keeps the living room clear and reduces the chance of someone tripping over a stray wire during movie night. Three grounded outlets line the top, joined by two USB‑A ports and one USB‑C socket. The mix handles just about everything on a bedside table: a lamp, a humidifier, and an alarm clock on the outlets, plus a phone and smartwatch sipping power from the USB slots. The USB‑C port delivers up to fifteen watts, enough to nudge a smartphone from low battery to comfortable range while you brush teeth and pick tomorrow's outfit. Internal safety switches monitor heat and current. If a surge strikes during a storm, the built‑in circuit breaker trips in a blink, sparing connected gear. A small indicator light confirms protection is active without glowing bright enough to keep anyone awake. The housing is made from flame‑retardant plastic, and the cord uses thick insulation that resists kinks when you snake it around a desk leg. Little touches make everyday use easier. Rubber feet on the underside stop the strip from sliding across hardwood floors, and two keyhole slots on the back let you mount it under a shelf with a pair of screws. The flat cord coils neatly with a Velcro strap, so road warriors can pack it in a laptop bag to tame hotel‑room outlet chaos. The One Beat Flat Plug Power Strip, 5ft Flat Extension Cord is still available for $10 at Amazon, a small spend that clears floor space and calms cable clutter compared with its regular $17 price. See at Amazon
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
6 Times You Should Never Use an Extension Cord, According to Electricians
Before using an extension cord, make sure you're using it safely and within its specifications. Refrain from using extension cords to power devices and appliances with significant power demands. Don't use extension cords as permanent wiring solutions or place them under rugs or you're just now learning that there are times you should never use an extension cord, consider yourself lucky that you didn't learn your lesson the hard way. Using an extension cord when you shouldn't can result in damage to electrical devices and appliances, as well as posing a major safety risk to the user. Below, we've spoken to professional electricians about the six times you should never use an extension cord and why, to take the guesswork out of safely powering your devices and Hodnicki is a master electrician at Electrical Experts. Ryan Gregor is the owner and head electrician at RCG appliances require a lot of power for operation, including but not limited to the following: Microwaves Refrigerators Dryers Air conditioners Space heaters Tim Hodnicki, master electrician at Electrical Experts, explains that this high power draw can overload an extension cord, which may not be rated for the power load. He warns that overloading an extension cord can lead to overheating and even result in you must use an extension cord temporarily to power a device with high power demands, make sure you're using a low-gauge extension cord that can handle the power more home reno project tips and inspiration? Sign up for our free for the latest how-tos, reno guides, and more! Most standard extension cords are not rated for outdoor use, especially in wet environments. However, just because there's no rain in the forecast doesn't mean you're in the clear, as temperature and UV damage are both a concern. "Even if they look fine, they can crack or short out," Ryan Gregor, owner and head electrician at RCG Electrical, says. "I've had to replace cords that stopped working after just one season outdoors because they weren't rated for the weather." Hodnicki explains how standard indoor cords are not built to withstand moisture or the temperature fluctuations that can cause insulation to break down. He warns that using an indoor extension cord outdoors can cause electrocution or short-circuiting. While an extension cord getting hot is a bad sign, it's not uncommon for an extension cord to get warm to the touch when in use. Normally, the extension cord's exposure to open air is enough to dissipate any heat production, preventing the heat from compromising the cord's integrity. This is why it's always a bad idea to place an extension cord under a rug or carpet, beneath furniture, inside a wall, or anywhere else that could trap heat and cause the extension cord to using an extension cord, periodically check it to ensure it's not getting too warm. If it begins to get hot, unplug both Gregor and Hodnicki warn that placing an extension cord under a rug, beneath furniture, or behind a wall can cause the insulation to wear down over time, which can result in exposed wiring and pose a fire and shock risk. Charging electric scooters and other electric recreational vehicles is usually more than an extension cord can handle due to the significant power draw. Just like with appliances that have high power draw, EV chargers can draw more power than an extension cord can safely provide, leading to overheating and fire risk. In some cases, it can even damage the charger. If you're powering something over a distance that requires multiple extension cords plugged into one another, you should find another solution. Extension cords are only designed to safely carry power over their distance. "Connecting one [extension cord] to another to extend their reach increases resistance and voltage drop, and it's very easy to exceed the amperage rating," Hodnicki explains. "I would advise using a single cord of the correct length and gauge for the task or assess whether the job calls for a proper outlet installation instead of a temporary workaround." Extension cords are only intended for brief use and should never be used as permanent power solutions, as they simply aren't designed for constant use. "If you find yourself constantly needing extension cords to power everyday devices, that's a sign your home's electrical system needs updating," Hodnicki says. Read the original article on The Spruce
