The #1 Most Dangerous Electric Device in Your Home

This is a very common hazard in most of our homes which needs to be avoided. When selecting extension cords there are many options and not all are created equal. I will demonstrate what happens when running heavy loads through a "light duty" extension cord and why you should be cautious when using these types of cords.

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[EverydayHomeRepairs]

DISCLAIMER: This video and description contain affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission.

[michaelallen]

My biggest concern with a space heater is the outlet. After i smelled smoke i began pulling outlets in my living room and found that most used backstab connections with 14 gauge wire and were daisy chained. 2 were visibly damaged and one was almost burned in half. I cut out the burnt wire and replaced every backstab outlet with a commercial grade outlet throughout the house, using the back connectors that securely connect with a clamp and screw.

[danielabbey]

This is great information. The only extension cords that I use are the big 10 and 12 gauge outdoor-rated extension cords. One winter, I had to run a space heater overnight in a vacant house after the furnace blower motor failed, just to keep the pipes from freezing in the basement. Used a 10ga extension cord, and removed all flammables within a three feet radius, with the heater on low. Not really safe, but had to do it. Replaced all the old receptacles that had sloppy fit shortly after I bought the house.

[SmileySunrise]

I was guilty of not knowing anything about extension cords and hooking them up to my space heater (which I used often). I had mine plugged into a power strip surge protector that was plugged into my wall. At one point I felt the end of the extension cord plugged into the power strip and it was HOT. I then learned that there were other extension cords that were made for these items, and after I purchased one I haven't had that problem with that space heater again. Thank you for sharing this important information.

[Sparky-wwre]

It's a UL requirement and has been for some time, that extension cords must be constructed of #16 or larger wire, or #18 wire with integral fuses. Having said that, folks younger than 40 may be unaware, but some years back #18 extension cords with 15A markings on the plug and receptacle ends and no built-in overload protection were approved and widely used. They made good fire starters when space heaters were plugged in and turned to high particularly if any part of the extension cord was placed under a rug or what have you. The 15 amp rating on these antiquated cords were the ratings for the ends, not the cord itself.

[EricTheBlue]

That outlet is hideous and I can't believe how much it costs compared to a normal duplex outlet

[gnic]

I think what throws some people off is often an appliance might have a 16g cord on it, but its only 5 or 6 feet long, makes them think they can use a similar size of extension cord without a problem.

[AlexanderCrump]

I think the bigger danger is outlets or connectors that do not grip the prongs securely. I have seen cords of appropriate size get dangerously hot at the connection points (plug or connector) that surely could have caused a fire. I always check all of the connections and cord frequently while these are in use to identify any overheating.

[retrozmachine]

When I was a kid we had a cabinet style clothes drier, the sort where you could hang stuff in it. It stood in a corner of the laundry where there as no power point so it was always run on an extension lead. Mum always used a 7.5A (0.75 sq mm) lead while it really should have had a 10A (1.0 sq mm) lead. Those poor old 7.5A leads became quite hot and floppy but never actually failed. It's a miracle they didn't really the insulation must have been on the ragged edge. The power point circuit had a 15A fuse.

[kenbrown]

I went through a daisy chaining phase with my cords. it works okay if you're carrying your cords in a tote, but it twists the cords up and makes them try to curl all the time. there's a trick to finishing a coil that lets you either have a loop for hanging your cord, or secure the loop over the top of the coil to lay the cord on the floor or in a tote. it also lets you deploy the cord by holding the "smart" end and throwing the coil from the receptacle towards where you intend to use it.

[wayneownby]

I have read articles that one of the biggest fire risks with using a space heater is using a "Power strip" as an extension. The power strips are meant for low drawing appliances and electronics. They have been linked to many house fires when used with space heaters.

[KevinCoop]

As an electrical design engineer, I affectionately called these “Designers nightmares”. Many wise company owners ban the use of heaters in the offices. It is a firing offense, no questions asked. It is for a different reason though. Electrical system overload shutdown can be big money!

[rleeAZ]

Space heater rules of thumb: 1) never use an extension cord or outlet strip 2) if the plug is loose in the receptacle, replace the receptacle.

[jerryfacts]

I use the heavy duty AWG 12 type extension cords for my AC units, or for space heaters, or for a fridge. I never wind any excessive length in a coil. I put the excessive wire length in a figure 8. This makes for less induction affect and thus less possible heat in the wire. For small power consumption devices I use an AWG 14 most of the time. This is when I will be using less than about 6 Amps or so.

I mostly make my own extension cords. I buy the male and female heavy duty type plugs and sockets. I buy the wire off the reel at the hardware store. I feel more secure about the quality of the connections in the plug and socket.

[ejonesss]

i have seen in the news of fires that burned down houses due to people running heaters and even air conditioners from extension cords.

if you must put a demanding appliance on a cord make sure you get an appliance grade cord witch will have very thick wire and can handle the load.

the other danger that can happen is with fuses is people bypassing fuses by putting foil around the fuse or even using fuses rated too high.

doing that can lead to a fire too

[okaro]

1:27 The cord also is not fully open so it does not cool well. One should always fully open the cords or limit the load. In Europe all extension cords are rated for 16 A with the exception of single Europlug cords that can supply only a single 2.5 A load and can never be never split (using readily bought splitters)

Generally an extension cord does not need to be as thick as fixed wiring as it is not hidden in the walls so it cools better. That also means you should not hide them under carpets.

One important thing is to use good quality cables. Extension cords are something one can use and store for decades and then reuse them. One might consider if it is better just to buy a new one.

[readyplayer]

Great video. People should keep in mind that even if they know better than to plug a high load device (or multiple devices) into a light duty cord, do your kids and spouse also know and will remember in the future? If you use a cleaning service or have house guests, will they know not to plug hair dryers or vacuum cleaners into certain cords? I have a UPS for my network gear, and had a small power strip plugged into a controlled outlet on the UPS. My wife accidentally plugged a vacuum cleaner into that power strip, which cause the UPS (and connected gear) to shut down as the current draw was much higher than what it could supply. Luckily nothing was damaged, but it was a good reminder to me to label things very clearly and not to expect that others would know what I did.

[averyalexander]

Great demonstration! Obviously electrical equipment should never be overloaded, but I wonder how much of a hazard this actually is in practice. I have experimented with this in realistic worst case scenarios such as drawing 20+ amps through 16 gauge cords covered in a towel for hours and I have never been able to get it hot enough to catch fire or even show any signs of melting or damage, but my testing obviously doesn't account for a lot of variables long term degradation of the insulation. If a lot of fires were started just by overloading extension cords, I'd hope that all these small gauge extension cords would be required to have a built in fuse or circuit breaker.

[drwhoeric]

I would say a bigger problem is with loose receptacle sockets where plugs have a difficult time staying plugged in.

[caffeinatedinsanity]

Technology Connections made an extensive video about the risks of using extension cords and splitters. And especially using space heaters on 20A circuits.