hyper tough 50 foot extension cord

Drengenberg was adamant about explaining this rule of extension cords first: If youre running them all over your house, inside or out, youre greatly increasing all of the variables that contribute to fire. You can track your order's progress and communicate with your shopper every step of the way using the Instacart app or website. Another very similar option is the Clear Power CP10091 50 ft TPE Rubber Heavy Duty Extension Cord, which proved easy to handle. Whether it's finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we'll help you get it right (the first time). Though we used to recommend a Husky Cold Weather cord as a runner-up, other Husky-brand cords available at Home Depot are less impressive. The Southwire cord is nearly identical to our top pick, but its just a little stiffer and typically costs a bit more. High-end extension cords are not cheap, but theyre durable, safe, and far easier to use than the generic orange cords youll find tangled in garages nationwide. Its an okay feature, but not an essential one. If you buy only one extension cord, we recommend the U.S. Wire & Cable 50 FT. Unlike our other picks, this isnt an SJEOW or SJEOOW cord, so it lacks the super-flexible elastomer jacket. Its also the most flexible cord weve ever used, so its as easy to work with in the height of summer heat as it is the depths of a near-zero-degree winter. It works fine, but given how roughly extension cords can be treated, were wary of its long-term durability. These temperature numbers on the SJTW cords may sound impressive, but Jeff Lutke, principal engineer of ULs Wire & Cable division, explained that these numbers only indicate that the cord can be wrapped around a test spool without cracking or breaking. It can carry the same amount of power, though. Like all of the cords we tested, the U.S. Wire & Cable 50 FT. If youre using a cord rated for only 10 A or 12 A, as many cheaper ones are, your breakers wont help you avoid an overload if you plug in something with a higher amp rating, with consequences from the unfortunate (a tripped breaker) to the catastrophic (fire). It has all the same characteristics of our top pick but is a little stiffer, making it a bit trickier to coil up at the end of the day. (Youll still be able to use the cord itself, though.) Its a little stiffer than our main pick but otherwise offers the same powering capabilities, and it has a locking switch at the plug end that prevents whatever youre plugging into it from disconnecting accidentally. Using the Instacart app or website, shop for products from your store of choice near you. If an order never came, or you get someone else's order, you can reach out to Instacart Care. But if you need a cord right now, we do have tips for how to pick the best extension cord at your local hardware store. The Husky 25 FT Medium Duty Indoor/Outdoor Extension Cord offers the same power-handling capacity and safety levels as our picks but lacks the added flexibility of the elastomer jacket on our top pick, the U.S. Wire & Cable. provides extra reach for your appliances and power tools, It has 16 gauge thickness, one grounded outlet and is rated for 125V, 13A or 1625W, making it suitable for many applications, this general use extension cord is the ideal cord for powering outdoor equipment or lights at home, professional or social events and much more. These include the Bad Ass 50 Foot 12/3 SJEOW Cold Weather Lighted Extension Cord and the Iron Forge Tools 50 FT 12/3 SJEOW Heavy Duty Lighted Outdoor Extension Cable. The benefits of a floppy cord are also evident when its time to stow it away. If youre going to own only one extension cord, the 50-foot version is versatile enough to maneuver across a two-car garage, run between two rooms indoors, or stretch deep into a yard or driveway. If you use cords that are too thin for the length and power you need, you can run into two problems. Because it has hardly any shape memory, the U.S. Wire & Cable cord feeds handily into a nice, even loop, making it easier to unravel the next time you use it. We always recommend a flat plug for indoor cords. Dont run extension cords under rugs, furniture, or pretty much anything else. If holding the plugged connection is a concern, we recommend learning how to do it with an overhand knot. Use indoors for tools, appliances, lamps, and more. Its still in great shape. This can mess up different types of equipment in a few ways: Lights may dim, saws may not spin as fast, and some motors just wont work at all. 2022 Wirecutter, Inc., A New York Times Company. We enlisted the aid of San Diego Cold Storage, which has a million cubic feet of cold storage warehouses, with some getting as cold as 0 F. Quality extension cords cost more, but they can last you a lifetime. If something isn't right, you've got options. Perhaps most telling: A general contractor working on Marks house needed a cord, and Mark offered the U.S. Wire & Cable (on pain of death if it wasnt returned). In our testing it sat flat on the ground, but its harder to spool than our other picks. In the Instacart app or website, you can report: The price for this product is set by the individual retailers and varies among them. All the cords we tested were rated by UL to withstand UV rays and a bit of rain (marked with a W for weather resistance), but since our pick is also oil resistant, it wont break down when regularly dragged across oil- or grease-covered floors in garages or workshops. Weve seen it priced anywhere between $50 and $75, which may induce some serious sticker shock, but its a reasonable price for a high-quality extension cord that can survive even the harshest conditions and has a lifetime warranty. If there is a downside to the U.S. Wire & Cable extension cord, its the cost: Weve seen it priced anywhere between $55 and $75. A lighted end: We like extension cords that include a small LED light at the plug end to let you know when the cord is powered. Many of the cheap indoor cords weve seen stick out from the wall and can easily be knocked or pulledwithout anyone noticingwhen plugged in behind furniture. Apple and the Apple logo are trademarks of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. 55 extension cords with UL or Intertek listings from top online retailers, Southwire 1638SW0061 Polar/Solar Supreme Extension Cord, U.S. Wire & Cable 50 FT. Light duty 10 foot indoor extension cord ideal for powering home fans and lamps 3 GROUNDED OUTLETS allow you to conveniently power multiple appliances at once Black color seamlessly blends in with popular home and office interior paint DURABLE strain relief neck and compact design provides a LONGER POWER CORD LIFE 16 GAUGE, 3 PRONG home extension cord provides 13 AMP, 1625 watts, 125 volts per each connector", HyperTough 10FT 16AWG 3 Prong White Indoor 3-Outlet Extension Cord. Dont connect multiple extension cords. America's Largest Inventory Network for All Home Improvement Supplies Nationwide. Because it sits flush against wall outlets, a flat plug is less likely to get bumped completely or partially out of the socket, which can make the connection more prone to electrical shocks if someone tries to unplug it. As basic as an extension cord may seem (just plug it in, right? If youre going to own only one extension cord, the 50-foot version is versatile enough to maneuver across a two-car garage, run between two rooms indoors, or stretch deep into a yard or driveway. The Iron Forge cord doesnt cost as much as our other picks, but its not as easy to coil. Unlike many of its competitors, the Cordinate indoor cord has a sleek look and a flat plug that wont get bent or pulled from an outlet. He spent 10 years in high-end construction as a carpenter, foreman, and supervisor. *At the time of publishing, the price was $60. Once you place your order, Instacart will connect you with a personal shopper in your area to shop and deliver your order. The added connection has a small chance of causing a problem, but you should avoid plugging a surge protector into an extension cord, and vice versa. Not every low-power device requires a grounded outlet, but its nice to have that option on a go-to cord, and its much safer than using a grounding adapter. The similar GE Designer Cord Pro comes in a few different colors and has three outlets, but theres one notable difference between the two: The Cordinate outlets include spring-loaded, internal covers that the GE cord lacks. The best extension cords arent typically sold in physical stores. As of 7/17/2022, Your credit card will be charged once fulfillment of your order is complete. As the temperature drops, its less likely to hold this characteristic. The most important of these letters, for our purposes, is the E. This indicates that the sheath of the extension cord is made of an elastomer and not a thermoplastic, which is what the T in SJTW stands for. In our tests these two were a little stiffer than the U.S. Wire & Cable, but not by much. The hook and loop strap makes for easy storage or to contain extra length that's not in use at the time. Most extension cords are plenty flexible when heated up in the sun, but SJEOW and SJEOOW cords like the U.S. Wire & Cable have elastomer sheaths, which are more flexible and cold resistant than the thermoplastic sheaths found in SJTW cords. We independently review everything we recommend. The outlet end has a small LED that lights up when the cord is live. The Hyper Tough Extension Cord is ideal for a variety of uses. Its a small but welcome touch if youre going to see the cord constantly peeking out from behind your nightstand, side table, or dresser. Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Between the tree, the lights, tools, and accessories, weve got your home-decoration needs covered this Christmas. Not only will that additional flexibility make our pick much less difficult to work with, whether youre dealing with high summer temps in the Southwest or brutal winter lows in Minnesota, it should also make the cord easier to stretch out after long periods stored in a coil. ), there are some things to keep in mind to help ensure the longevity of the cord as well as your own safety. The outlet end has a small LED that lights up when the cord is live. If you need a longer cord, say, behind a media center, look for a surge protector with a built-in cord of that length. The owner of the company and the head of the crew both agreed it had the nicest feel of any extension cord theyd encounteredand wanted to know the brand so they could put a couple on their shopping lists. Also, there are enough other ways to secure the plugged connection of an extension cord that we dont think this is necessary. Perhaps more importantly, we used the cords on a day-to-day basis. A 12-gauge, 50-foot wire can handle 15 amps, which matches most residential breakers and many older fuses. Industry approvals: ETL listed. Purchases from these Sellers are generally covered under our. Some cords also include locking brackets or switches to keep a plugged-in tools power cord firmly attached to the extension cords outlet. Safety recommendations (and, in some cases, building codes) say that for a permanent application, you should have a real outlet installed by a qualified electrician. All that said, if you absolutely have to, make sure to follow our next rule. In addition to the yellow Utilitech Pro extension cords, youll find the cheaper red Utilitech cords at Lowes. So a cord like our pick, which can handle 15 A at 50 feet, can still power 15 A at 100 feet, but only for short periods of time. It does not indicate the temperature at which the cord starts to become stiff. We love that its available in a multitude of colors, especially neutrals. The only difference between SJEOW cords and SJEOOW cords is that the latters outer sheath and inner-wire covers are both oil resistant; with the former, only the outer sheath is oil resistant. This ensures that the cord is of reliable quality and can be used safely within its given power rating. A cord capable of 15 A is more expensive than its light-duty cousins but will satisfy the demands of heavy-duty electric tools like circular saws long after youve forgotten its rating. Facilities manager Frank Plant arranged for us to store some of the most promising cords in one of the coldest corners of the facility for two dayswhen we returned, our thermometer read just 7 F. When we repeated this on the more-common thermoplastic SJTW cords, the worst ones recoiled like a spring, and others kept some of their stiff curves as they reached across the floor. There are a number of 50-foot SJEOW cords that we did not test. Weve spent dozens of hours researching and testing the best extension cords, and along the way have picked up tips to keep cords at their best. With a solid power rating and durable construction, this cord can safely handle any job around a home or garage. All of the cords we tried were reasonably flexible at room temperatures, so we decided to test them in more challenging conditions. The hook and loop strap makes for easy storage or to contain extra length that's not in use at the time. 2019 All rights reserved. He also raises sheep and has a dairy cow that he milks every morning. We used the cords to power high-draw tools like a table saw, an air compressor, and a leaf blower, among many other items. All of our picks have firm and secure plug ends, but in certain situations, its a good idea to eliminate the tension on the connection. Neither of those cords are grounded, either. For a more stylish indoor option, we like the Cordinate Dcor Extension Cord with 3 Grounded Outlets. The Husky 50 FT Cold Weather Indoor/Outdoor Extension Cord is available at Home Depot nationwide, making it a solid choice if you need a cord today, or if our top pick is out of stock. Extreme All-Weather Extension Cord offers an excellent combination of functionality and usability. If you live in a warmer climate and dont need a cord thats flexible through the cold depths of winter, we also like the Iron Forge Tools 12/3 SJTW Heavy Duty Yellow Outdoor Extension Cord. Some of the cords we dismissed without testing include: AmazonBasics 16/3 Vinyl Outdoor Extension Cords are much thinner than the U.S. Wire & Cable and carry less power less safely. But as a cord gets longer, its amp rating starts to drop. In 2021, we tested an additional six options. We would expect them to be very nice cords and perform within the range presented by our other SJEOW picks. For example, our top pick, an SJEOOW cord, has been approved for use in temperatures ranging from 221 degrees Fahrenheit to -94 degrees Fahrenheit, while the SJTW cords we looked at are typically approved to temperatures from 140 Fto -40 F. John Drengenberg, consumer safety director, Underwriters Laboratories, interview, August 25, 2016, Wire Gauge Reference Table (AWG), Bulk Wire. Sign up to receive exclusive offers in your inbox. Overly tight outlets can make it difficult to get a plug all the way in, resulting in a poor connection and a higher risk of shocks or shorts, especially when exposed to any moisture. It also doesnt come in as many colors. After spending more than 40 hours researching over 55 different extension cords, talking with two safety experts, and testing 12 of the most promising for flexibilitysome even in zero-degree tempswe recommend, For a more stylish indoor option, we like. Elastomer cords perform much better in extreme temperatures, too. Our pick is 50 feet long, which we think is the best for general use, but the same cord is also available in lengths of 25 feet and 100 feet, if those better suit your needs. Compared with other cheap, nameless cords youll find in the corners of the internet and at discount stores, the Cordinate Dcor Extension Cord with 3 Grounded Outlets offers three distinct advantages: a flat plug, a grounding wire, and an internal safety cover on each outlet that is similar to the tamper-resistance feature used in modern outlets and considered far safer for homes with small children. Dont be cavalier with your cords. 125V, 13A, 1625W, 16-gauge, 3-prong extension cord, Designed for indoor use to provide outlets where you need them most, Generously sized at 10 feet in length to provide some flexibility, 3-wire grounded outlet & 3-prong outlet cord, Comes in white to stand out from black wires and make it easy to spot, Provides some extra outlets for added versatility. An aesthetically pleasing fabric wrap is a welcome bonus, as is the wide variety of colors that it comes in. While it lacks a lighted end, it was one of the floppier SJTW cords we tested. John Drengenberg, the consumer safety director at UL, accepts these types of cords as a necessity when you need to plug in a lamp or a phone charger, but he told us that they are often pushed beyond their limits. It wasnt the worst or the best in any category. If the U.S. Wire & Cable isnt available, we also like the Southwire 1638SW0061 Polar/Solar Supreme Extension Cord. If you experience any of the following issues, you're eligible for a refund or credit: damaged/missing items, poor item replacements, late arrival or unprofessional service. 2016-2021 Super Arbor. The thick, 12-gauge wires inside are rated to handle up to 15 ampsas much as most residential breakers will allowmaking it safe to use with most tools and equipment. We then tested how well each cord could be stretched out, which ones kept their coiled shapes too tightly, which ones were usable, and which ones were too stubborn to get back into a tidy coil once we were done. Please click on each retailer to see that retailer's price for this product. Its a nice-to-have feature, but it often adds bulk to the plug end, making it incompatible with recessed outlets such as those found on electric snow blowers or lawn mowers. Plus, the added grounding pin and wire makes it less prone to electrical shocks and shorts than ungrounded, two-prong variations. Extension cords come in various lengths, but we think 50 feet is the most practical for all-around use because its long enough to reach the lawn, but not so long that its extremely difficult to coil up. Weather resistant isnt the same thing as waterproof. Stay up to date on the latest in Deals & Clearance. Third-party approved, SJEOW rated: Any cord marked by UL (UL Listed) or Intertek (ETL Listed) has been tested to certain safety and function standards by a reputable third party. There are two knots to use, both of which are prominent on construction sites: the single overhand knot and the more-stable doubled-up overhand knot. This can mess up different types of equipment in a few ways: Lights may dim, saws may not spin as fast, and some motors just wont work at all. Stiff cords that loop and twirl across a yard or floor create tripping hazards that can be made exponentially more dangerous if, say, the cord is plugged into a running table saw. A good extension cord should have a 15-amp power rating and 12-gauge wires, and be tested and approved by a third partyeither UL or Intertek. If youve always just bought whichever extension cord happens to be sitting on the shelf at your local hardware store, youre missing out on cords that are safer, more durable, and more flexible than the ones most commonly available at brick-and-mortar retailers. Wirecutter senior editor Mark Smirniotis, the original author of this guide, covered electrical and charging products for three years as a staff writer at Wirecutter, writing about everything from rechargeable batteries to surge protectors to generators. Trying to unsnarl a stiff cord is more akin to untangling a curling rats nest of cables. We considered more than 55 extension cords with UL or Intertek listings from top online retailers, and then narrowed the list based on the power ratings and added features. Weve seen it priced anywhere between $50 and $75, which may induce some serious sticker shock, but its a reasonable price for a high-quality extension cord that can survive even the harshest conditions and has a lifetime warranty. The plug on the Cordinate Dcor Extension Cord is less likely to be snagged by pets, people, or furniture thanks to its flat, right-angle design. He was also on the safety committee of the company he worked for, which included the maintenance of safe jobsites, and has been reviewing tools and gear since 2007. Between these two roles, Doug has used and evaluated extension cords for at least the past 20 years. We considered 90 more cords that we didnt test, either because they didnt meet our strict safety requirements; they were too expensive, with no extra features to warrant the higher price; or they were much thinner and less capable than our picks. Make secure connections. Fires are a very real hazard. Heres more information about the features we looked for in an extension cordand why theyre important. This may seem trivial, but it can either add to the discretion of an extension cord (which are usually black, brown, or white) or create a purposeful pop of color. Through our research, we found that the best cords for home use are designated as SJEOW and SJEOOW. The Utilitech Pro Contractor Cord did not distinguish itself in any way. *At the time of publishing, the price was $57. There are ways of tying two cords together at the connection point to create the same kind of stability, if not more, without these drawbacks. If you own your own home, consider having an electrician add an outlet where you need it. For indoor cords, we recommend flatter plugs that sit flush to the outlet. Lowest Prices. That can cause safety issues of its own (slow saws wont cut cleanly, which can make them harder to control). The extra connections can cause added resistance; the extra length can cause voltage sags, leading to poor equipment performance; and the extra current drawn being through the cords can lead to heat buildup. Even if all three of those items were plugged in, its unlikely theyd use more than 7 A. Thats why other features, like flush-mounted plugs and grounding pins that reduce the risk of shocks or fire, are more important for indoor cords. Drengenberg also told us that modern PVC coatings can last a very long time, but older cords, or ones that dont go through any sort of safety testing, can wear too quickly. Though he hasnt subjected it to freezing temps since his initial testing, hes otherwise put it through the paces as best a non-pro can: It powered a table saw through a weekend of fence construction, it was left out in the sun for a couple weeks after powering some string lights for a party, and its been coiled and re-coiled many times for smaller tasks like powering shop vacs or work lights. Almost every one of our picks has an elastomer sheath for ultimate flexibility. Though its understandable to need a cord from time to time, or even for a few days, you shouldnt use an extension cord for any installation thats likely to be permanent. Here's a breakdown of Instacart delivery cost: When an item you want is out-of-stock at the store, your shopper will follow your replacement preferences. Drengenberg has been with UL for more than 50 years, over which time he earned the nickname Mr. Learn more about how to place an order here. If your cord is plugged in around a corner or otherwise out of sight, its nice to know at a glance when the power is on and when it isnt. During that time, he frequently consulted with electrical engineers and safety organizations like UL. Its a decent feature, but we have suspicions about the mechanisms long-term durability. Each retailer has a pricing policy that can be found on that retailer's page. Get your Hyper Tough Extension Cord at a Walmart store near you or online at Walmart.com. Our favorite is the Southwire 1638SW0061 Polar/Solar Supreme Extension Cord. Safety. We also consulted with Jeff Lutke, principal engineer of ULs Wire & Cable division.

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