The Do’s and Don’ts of Extension Leads

Extension leads are a very commonly used piece of equipment in workplaces and homes. Whether you use it for power when you don't have a plug nearby, or you use it to use heavy equipment outside your home, the applications of extension leads are never ending. Extension leads at Sydney Tools come in different shapes, sizes and functions, and everyone is sure to find something for themselves depending on their need.

Despite extension leads and cords being very simple to use, there can be certain health hazards associated with their use. Especially when you consider them being used in an office environment with multiple and high power machinery attached to it. In order to remain safe during your use, listed below are certain Do's and Don'ts that you should follow.

Do's

1. Do check the cords  for any damage before use

If your extension cord features some sort of masking tape it means that the cord is damaged and repaired, which makes it overall weaker than its actual strength. While the extension cord may still be functional, it is not completely safe to use and you must discard it. Hence, always check your extension cord for any damages as they could be potential electric hazards.

2. Do keep extension cords away from people

In order to stop your extension cords from being a potential tripping hazard, you should keep them away from people. You should either have them mounted on the wall covered with an extension tube covering, or have them placed underneath your computer systems so that the cord is not exposed in any way.

3. Do keep extension cords  away from water

If your extension cords or leads are exposed to water in any way, it could possibly result in an electrical hazard and could lead to serious damage. Hence, keep your extension cords away from water and in dry spaces.

Don'ts

1. Don't plug one extension cord into another

If you plug one extension into another you could possibly burn both extensions, cause your machinery to breakdown, or a possible electric shock. Additionally, OSHA details plugging one extension cord into another a potentially harmful threat.

2. Don't place extension cords under carpets

While people tend to place cords under carpets to avoid people from tripping over it and potentially harming themselves, one shouldn't place them under a carpet because they could possibly overheat. The area under a carpet could also possibly be dampened.

3. Don't overburden your cords

It is crucial that you don't overburden your extension cords as they could heat up due to being overburdened and possibly become a serious electrical hazard. Only use enough machinery and devices on it as its wattage allows. Using two or more heavy electrical equipment on the same extension cord could cause it to overburden.

While extension cords may not seem like a significant part of our daily lives, they are in fact very important in our daily tasks. We use  them in our homes, schools and offices because all of these places involve multiple pieces of equipment and not enough sockets. Hence, it is important to be aware of the do's and don'ts of extension cords and to abide by those.