Have you recently purchased a new appliance with a short power cable, making it difficult for you to reach the outlet? Do you require a new power cord for that purpose?
Yes, we know how frustrating it is when you face this situation. But we are here to help you overcome this predicament. But first, you need to understand what is an extension wire. An extension wire is a flexible electric wire with a plug on one end and one or more on the other.
The next step in developing this kind of gadget is smart extension wires. These extension wires allow you to not only connect equipment having short cords but also to control them from a distance.
Please continue reading if you want to learn more about smart extension wires and their use cases.
What is an Extension Cord Wire?
An extension cord wire is a flexible, insulated electrical cable having a plug on one end and one or more outlets on the other, used to plug in devices whose cables are too short to connect to a wall outlet.
Extension wires come in a broad variety of sizes and styles, from heads with plastic coatings to banks of plug-in outlets contained in large metal boxes.
Smart extension wire features led lights, that's why it helps to show which plugs are powered on. Some types include a safety fuse for safe operation that will trigger instantly if the wire heats up too much.
Your desired extension cord should match the type of plug you have at home. A three-prong outlet is needed for a cord with three prongs.
It is only recommended to use a modifier, such as a three-to-two-prong converter, provided the grounding tab is fastened to the middle screw on the socket.
Extension wires are available in lengths from 6 to 100 feet or more. They can securely handle a range of electrical power levels and come in various gauges. You should know that the essential inner parts are all the same, regardless of how long or powerful the extension wires are.
Best Extension Wire for 2023
Many people use an extension wire at their house or place of business. You might be tempted to simply pick one up off the shelf, plug it in, and use it without giving it a second thought because these gadgets are so simple to operate.
We have narrowed down the available choices for you. So now let's explore some of the best extension wires that are on the market today.
Maximm Cable 360° Rotating Flat Plug Extension Cord
The name Maximm Cable 360° Rotating Flat Plug Extension Cord is what draws people the most. The plug has a flat, three-pronged end, yet it rotates. This means that the extension wire from the socket can be turned in either direction.
Due to its thin 0.6-inch tip, it can be hidden behind the majority of fixtures and furniture. It comes in a variety of lengths that you can order. It comes in 1, 3, 6, 10, and 15-foot lengths.
You will find a plastic block with three outlets located at the cord's far end. Two of the outlets are on one side of the block, while one is on the other side. This allows you to have some flexibility for connecting multiple devices.
US Wire and Cable 74050
With the US Wire and Cable 74050 extension cord, you can expect to go a long way. These cables are available in lengths of 25 and 100 feet.
This extension wire consists of heavy 12-gauge wires that can deliver a significant amount of power over a large distance. The US Wire and Cable 74050 extension cord has a maximum power capacity of 1,875 watts.
This extension cord is particularly ideal for those stretches that include a little bit of outside activity. The cable is wrapped in a climate-resistant vinyl sleeve for cooler weather even though the ends aren't shielded.
To ensure your safety and to prevent you from repeatedly running back to check if the other end is plugged in, the led indicator on the end will allow you to quickly identify whether the cable is transmitting electricity.
TP-Link Kasa Smart Plug Power Strip HS300
The TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip offers three USB ports and six smart outlets to handle any number of devices.
You can control the smart extension wire with the help of the TP-Link App, Amazon Alexa, or Google Assistant. There is also a conveniently located button for each individual outlet for independent control.
The Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip has a scheduling and power monitoring feature to help you cut costs and save electricity.
There is a flat connector on the end of the power strip which allows for accurate placement behind any furniture in the house.
One thing to note is that the connectors are placed a little too close together, which makes it difficult to plug in multiple gadgets.
Evvr Smart Energy Monitor Plug and Relay
Evvr Smart Energy Monitor Plug and Relay is a unique addition to the smart extension cord industry. This smart outlet plug, made especially for Apple Homekit, performs well both indoors as well as outdoors.
Because of its distinct shape, the smart extension wire won't take up as much room on your wall as a standard smart plug or cover many outlets on a wall plate.
Apple Homekit and Siri voice commands allow you to control your devices from any location at any time. With the Evvr App, you can monitor power usage in real-time and save money and energy.
You can give your old appliances and electronics a new, smarter life with the help of this smart extension wire. This device can save a lot of energy because of its autonomous schedule feature, which will lower your electricity bill.
APC Smart Surge Protector
The power strip from APC features six outlets and four USB ports. Amongst them only three plugs and 2 USB ports are smart. On the strip itself, the smart outlets are clearly labeled and numbered.
Because it has two rows, it is larger and thicker than other power strips. This extension wire strip includes a convenient 6-foot power line and can be installed on the wall to keep it off the floor.
There is a scheduling feature present in this smart cord to turn off one device and turn on others at the same time.
When turned on or off, it makes a nice clicking sound. The major drawback of this power strip is that it only functions with Alexa.
How to Wire an Extension Cord?
If your current extension cord stopped working then you should try replacing the part that is damaged.
Extension cords can sustain damage in a variety of ways, including when they are dragged along the ground, run over by vehicles, or trapped in a door.
The most usual type of damage is caused by dragging the plug out by the cable rather than the plug itself. The cable wires are eventually exposed as a result of this stretching out of the cord.
Let's look at a step-by-step procedure to wire an extension cord.
- Make sure all power sources are unplugged from the cord. Use wire cutters to separate the old plug from the cord. At the cord's end, trim any broken-off pieces. Insert the new plug into the narrow end of the wire.
- Use a utility knife to partially cut through the cord's outer covering. Peel the two sides of the jacket apart by cutting along the cord and splitting it with your fingernails. Use wire cutters to cut the loose jacket off.
- Using wire strippers, remove the outer insulation covering the ends of each conducting wire within the cord by about 3/4 inch.
- Put an underwriter's knot on the white (neutral) and black (hot) cable wires.
- Use a screwdriver to lose the plug's terminal screws. Wrap the black (hot) wire's bare end clockwise around the bronze terminal. Screw the wire down firmly with the screw in place. Ensure that the connection has no exposed stray wires. Now the green (ground) wire should be connected to the ground screw, and the white (neutral) wire should be connected to the silver terminal.
- Make the plug clamp on the cord more secure by using a screwdriver.
- Finally plug in the extension cord to the wall socket and check if it is working properly or not.
Final Thoughts
These days, selecting a Smart extension wire is undoubtedly difficult because of the plethora of choices. When you are looking for a dependable extension wire, we are confident that the advice we have given will be helpful.
We would also like you to consider Evvr Energy Monitor Plug. It is a great option if you want to convert regular home appliances into smart ones. There is also the Evvr in-wall relay switch if you're seeking a permanent solution.
Evvr makes control hubs such as the Evvr hub and Evvr Center Lite, as well as touchscreen home controllers known as the Evvr Pad S. Use the Evvr App if you require a single app to manage all of your home's smart devices.
Please don't hesitate to contact us if you need any more assistance. We'll respond to your message as quickly as we can.
