A wide variety of household appliances gives rise to the variability of their connection to the network. A new garden appliance may well not work if connected to a low-power extension cord. A power strip is needed for electrical appliances that are so powerful that they cannot be plugged 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.
Content
Popular models of power extension cords are very different from their household counterparts:
The first thing a future owner of a power extension cord should pay attention to is the wire cross-section and its marking. This factor will directly affect the possible load, the maximum permissible for a particular extension cord.
Subsequent sizes from 2.5 to 120 mm2 - the best options for people whose careers are related to construction and repair, which cannot do without powerful tools and equipment.In order to determine what cable cross-section will be ideal for a particular person, room and task, you can use a simple calculation scheme:
Cable 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 options, although their characteristics are far from ideal. A summary table will help you to choose a wire brand depending on your needs.
Cable brand | Temperature limits | Recommendations for use | Life time |
---|---|---|---|
PVS | -25 to +40 | It dubs in cold weather, so it is better to use it in warm seasons. The cable is resistant to sunlight and heat | Over 6 years |
PRS | -40 to +40 | Excellent technical characteristics for indoor and outdoor use, withstands extreme temperatures | Over 6 years |
KG | -40 to +50 | The cable is not very fond of the sun, but it behaves well in field work: it is not afraid of bends and creases | About 4 years |
CGN | -30 to +50 | The cable must 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 sparks and aggressive chemicals that corrode the sheath can get on it | About 2.5 years |
KG-HL | -60 to +50 | The cable perfectly shows its advantages at low temperatures, while maintaining flexibility, it does not lose electrical and mechanical properties. The weak side is sunlight, he does not like direct sunlight | 4 years |
If the issue has been resolved with the technical parameters of power extension cords, it is worth paying attention to the manufacturing company: buying a product of a well-known brand is safer, since there is less risk of getting a defective product, and if this happens, there is a higher chance of getting a replacement, large corporations are more expensive than quick money.
Which company is better to buy a power extension cord:
Power extensions on a reel are convenient and usually have a fairly long cord. These devices are often used by professionals in the field of repair due to the large number of outlets - there can be from 3 to 4 of them.
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 light - the specific weight of the entire product is only 5 kg, but it is reliable, which is supported by the manufacturer's warranty. The 4 outlets are equipped with covers and are built into the body of the reel - perfect splash protection. The reel has a carrying handle and a metal base that stands firm even on uneven surfaces.
The maximum power is 3500 W.
The cable section is 3x1.5.
The average price is 2300 rubles.
A powerful power strip that even professionals can use. The cable of the KG brand allows safe use in severe frost conditions: the wire does not crack and does not deteriorate its technical characteristics. A fairly high power - 3500 watts - gives the product a wide functionality. The reel is made of metal, has 4 sockets, is equipped with a carrying handle, a wire reeling handle and a solid base. Among the significant shortcomings, users note that the load in the declared 3500 W is still beyond the power of the extension cord.
The maximum power is 3500 W.
The cable section is 3x2.5.
The average price is 6,600 rubles.
Many owners of summer cottages and just areas in need of care cannot purchase power extension cords on a reel due to their considerable cost, but the selection criteria include the point of the cord length. In this case, a reasonable solution is to buy a power extension cord on the frame - such a device has a sufficiently long cord, but in cost it does not greatly exceed its shorter counterparts.
Glanzen model ER-40-001 00012325 is an excellent solution for domestic use. The cable does not withstand outdoor conditions very well, despite its moisture resistance and protection from dust - it is better to work with it indoors. The 40 meter cord will not get tangled thanks to the frame, but winding and unwinding it is a rather tedious process.
The maximum power is 1300 W.
Cable section - 2x0.75.
The average price is 750 rubles.
Power extension cords for one outlet will be an excellent solution if you have your own farm: you can connect a saw, jigsaw or lawn mower one by one.
This power extension cord will be the best option for individual repair work in a small volume: the PVA wire is not afraid of bends and large loads that may accidentally appear on it, and a length of 10 meters will allow you to work in the yard without any difficulties and inconveniences. The socket is completely safe thanks to the rubberized housing, it is not afraid of high humidity.
The maximum power is 2200 W.
Cable section - 3x0.75.
The average price is 550 rubles.
Power Cube is a Russian full-cycle holding company that produces not only extension cords, but also surge protectors, wires and all accessories for them. The rating of quality goods in the field of renovation work cannot do without a promising young organization. The brand produces inexpensive but reliable products, one of which is the Power Cube PC-E1-B-20 power extension cord. A twenty-meter cable of the PVA brand will be convenient to use, and the copper wire will become an excellent current conductor. There will also be no difficulties with a remote socket - high quality plastic will delight connoisseurs of solid things.
The maximum power is 1300 W.
Cable cross-section - 0.75.
How much it costs - 560 rubles.
Whichever extension cord the user ultimately chooses for himself, it is important to observe safety precautions when working: