Kinda dumb, slightly paranoid question: Electrical extension cords

[DancingArabian]

Extension cords.
You know the kind I’m talking about, the bright orange ones many of us use to plug in trucks, power water heaters and fence chargers.

There were a few barn fires this past winter in my area and electrical cord malfunction came up often. This has me thinking, besides the obvious* signs to replace a cord, are there any other things to look out for?

Is discoloration of a cord reason to replace? (Loss of color from being in the sunlight)
Anything to look for or tests to perform?

• Obvious signs of damage: Sparks, loosely fitting cord, exposed inner wires, visible damage to the plug, the thing you’re plugging in not working, heat in the cord - any other obvious signs of damage that I might be overlooking?

[BrendaJane]

the plugs themselves, both male and female ends.
Sparking can cause them to smolder some. Definitely a time to remove them from the barn from longtime use.
the discoloration does not bother me too much as long as the insulation does not become compromised.

And of course, the other end of the equation has to be in top order, not too many things on one outlet.
I had a small extension cord on a drum with four outlets on the side, it popped it’s internal fuse when rolled up, I am assuming because of heat buildup inside the drum, but the breaker shut it off before anything could happen

[JLK]

Undersized (or overloaded). The longer the cord, the lower the load it can carry. Any cord used around the barn should be a hard service or junior hard service cord (typically round, not flat). And make sure it’s rated for the load.

Extension cords shouldn’t be used with water heaters, coffee makers, microwave ovens, or anything else that heats up. Their power demands are too high.

Use of gang plugs that lack overcurrent protection (those cheap outlet adapters that let you plug three things into one outlet).

Tightly coiling up cords when they’re in use. Tightly coiled cords can’t dissipate heat.

I do a lot of OSHA-type walkthroughs. The most common problems I see with extension cords:
– Damage to the outer insulation, often covered up with electrical tape, or damaged strain relief, where the cord starts separating from the plug, exposing the wires inside.
–Missing grounding prongs
–Extension cords substituting for permanent wiring (such as the ones used with fence chargers. If you have to leave it plugged in for the entire winter, think about installing an outlet).
–Daisy chains - one cord plugged into another, or plugged into power strips.
–Cords run over rafters, through windows, through doorways - where they can’t easily be checked for damage.

I haven’t heard of discoloration being a reason to replace a cord. But if you’re using it outside, make sure it is designed for outside use. And I would certainly want to make sure the insulation still feels flexible on a discolored cord.

I don’t know if any specific test to perform - other than using an outlet tester, one of the handiest gadgets I own.

[goodhors]

Use heavy gauge cords, nothing under a 12 gauge so you get adequate electricity to whatever needs it. Under-powered tank heaters, chargers, have a shorter life span when used under-powered. Then they need replacing again. And the longer the cord, the lower number (heavier wire) gauge you need.

Do not coil up the extra cord, that can cause problems. It works like the coils of wire, increasing power, on electric motors. This can cause constant (overloading) blowing of circuit or the GFCI plug, for no evident reason. The cord is not bad, nor the outlet, juse how you hung up the extra lenght of cord! Just learned this myself last winter, with a tank heater we could not keep working. .

As already mentioned, if you need an extension cord to power things all the time, put in a permanent outlet in a weather proof box. Remove the dangers of using an extension cord permanently.

[Palm_Beach]

The only thing I use an extension cord for is my rabbit’s heated water bottle.

[Bluey]

Curious, we only use extension cords for things we are right there using as we do things, like electric tools.

I thought everyone knows not to use those where you need unattended, permanent electric service.
If we have the rare place serviced by extension cords, we unplug them at night or when gone for more than bit.
Maybe because we are from the time where extension cords and wiring in general really were a fire hazard.
Today extension cords and what we plug them in are much safer.

[4horses]

I believe cords should be replaced often. The biggest sin is using the same cord for too long. My dad tends to try and fix and reuse broken cords- now i always buy him new cords for Christmas. I worry it is a fire hazard.

[ReSomething]

We still use a bunch of them to power things like the pool pump, get the battery charger on the tractor out in the parking lot. They are all 12 gauge and yellow, mostly 100 feet long. They need to be gotten out of the weather for the sake of the plug ends, if moisture, dirt or hay get in there it’s not a good thing.

[Hulk]

If its electric and I even get the thought in my head for a second “should I replace this” I throw it out and replace it. Not just the cords but also tank heaters, fans, heat lamps etc.

[StarPattern]

I buy the cords with the light up end. Even if the cord still looks good, I replace the cord when that light stops working. It’s probably unnecessary, but it makes me feel better.

[Anna.m]

It’s not a dumb question. Extension cords can be very dangerous. An extension cord should never be a long term way to power something. They should never be coiled when being used, as it can cause heat to build up. As others have said, use the correct cord for the job. Don’t use indoor cords outside ect.

However, extension cords are not the only things to cause barn fires. Check for cobwebs, and clean behind the receptacles. Spiders love to get behind the plates on your switches and plug ins.

The University of Guelph has a great online short course and they cover extension cords, and all other things that can cause barn fires. It also covers what to do in case of a fire. It’s called Fire and Emergency Preparedness.
https://thehorseportal.ca/course/fire-emergency-preparedness-w20/