There are a lot of extension cords out there, and sometimes it's hard to know which one to use. Often, people just go to the same one for everything—and it's not always a safe choice for the wires carrying the current, the outlet, or the machine itself. Eliminate the guesswork by using the best cords for 16 common applications.Note: The cords recommended here are the minimum thickness cords permitted for each application by the National Electric Code. Any appliance can use a shorter or thicker, lower-gauge cord. Dangerous situations arise when substituting a longer cord, or a thinner, higher-gauge cord, than the one recommended for these 16 jobs. For more general info on safe extension cord use, look at these fact sheets from the state of Texas and Florida State University.For blowers will 12 amps or less, use a 16-gauge light-duty cord within 50 feet of your outlet. Go with a 14-gauge medium-duty cord for a higher amp or a greater distance from the outlet. Make sure the cord is rated for outdoor use—look for a "W" on the jacket.2.

Use an 18-gauge, two-prong, light-duty extension cord. It can handle up to 7 amps up to 25 feet—perfect for discreetly running to a nightstand from the outlet behind the bed. A retractable cord, like this one from TV Time Direct, cuts down on clutter.A 14-gauge, three-prong, medium-duty cord is a general-purpose tool ideal for powering small household appliances, like a laptop.4. Treadmill manufacturers generally discourage the use of an extension cord with the product. Best Cat Food For A HedgehogBut if you can't move your exercise equipment closer to the outlet, go with a cord made specifically for treadmills—like the 9-foot Treadcord.5. Indoor Novelty LightingHeat-producing appliances like toasters, irons, and coffee pots draw at least 10-12 amps of current, which is beyond the limits of most indoor extension cords. Light Bulb Changer Canadian Tire

Hopefully your kitchen layout permits the small, portable appliances to live near an outlet, far from the sink.6. You'll have to let your hair air dry if you can't plug in the hair dryer directly to an outlet. Hair dryers typically draw 15 amps, which can cause an extension cord to get hot enough to start a fire.Go with a 12-gauge heavy-duty outdoor cord, which will have you covered for up to 100 feet from the outlet. Get a cord with a lighted plug so you'll know when the power is on.You'll want a surge protector or power strip to protect your computer, printer and other electronic equipment from spikes above 120 volts. Some surge protectors have metal oxide varistors, which are essentially semiconductors that stop the transient voltage. Strips like the Fellowes 6 Outlet Surge Protector are designed for small office electronics.9. Use a typical, off-the-shelf 16-gauge cord, or buy a specialty one, like the Vacuum Cleaner Cord from Prime Wire and Cable.10. A three-prong, 12-gauge cord works best.

Get one with a locking plug since you'll be moving the vacuum around a lot and it can easily come unplugged.Go with a 16-gauge cord for 25 feet or less, or 14-gauge for more than 25 feet. Get the length you need—don't ever daisy-chain two extension cords together. Look for a "W" on the jacket to confirm that it can be used outdoors.12. You'll want a surge protector, like for your home office. When you're not watching TV, turn off the surge protector to stop vampire appliances from using electricity. Consider the Conserve Switch from Belkin, a surge protector with two outlets that remain live for devices that need continuous power, like a wireless router.13. This is not safe for use with an extension cord. Space heaters are portable—move them closer to an outlet.14. A short 16-gauge extension cord will keep the lamp cooking.15. A 10-gauge extra-heavy-duty extension cord will let you put air in a flat tire up to 100 feet away from an outlet.16. There are never enough outlets in a workshop, and running multiple extension cords can be a hassle—and a tripping hazard.

Go with a 14-gauge cord, which will power most tools, and look for a model with multiple outlets so you can plug in more than one tool. A retractable model, like the Tasco Professional Grade Plastic Retractable Cord Reel, can keep the cord out of the way when not in use.How To Choose Extension Cords Extend the reach for powering your appliances and devices with heavy duty extension cords Extension cords allow you to power a device when its own cable does not reach an electrical outlet. This guide will help you understand the differences between extension cords to ensure safety, energy efficiency and top performance. SHOP ALL EXTENSION CORDS & SURGE PROTECTORS Indoor vs. Outdoor Extension Cords Outdoor extension cords have tough covers made from rubber, plastic or vinyl. Using indoor extension cords outside can lead to overheating. Tip: Some heavy-duty cords are rated for protection against oils, chemicals or extreme temperatures. Outdoor extension cords fall into three broad categories:

Occasional use cords are suitable for smaller projects and tools. Frequent use cords can handle larger tools and equipment and heavier use. Rugged cords are designed for continual use on job sites, even in extreme weather, and are suitable for high-amperage tools. Indicates a flexible cord designed for general use Indicates the cord is rated for outdoor use Indicates the cord with standard 300 voltage insulation. If there is no J in the designation, the cord has thicker, 600-volt insulation, designed for heavier use. Indicates parallel wire construction, used in  air conditioner cords and household extension cords Indicates the cord jacket is made from vinyl thermoplastic Indicates the cord jacket is made from thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE) Indicates the cord is oil-resistant Extension cords typically come with two- or three-prong plugs, while others have specialty receptacles and plugs for RVs and construction applications.

The third prong in the extension cord provides a path to the ground wire in a household electrical circuit. This ground wire greatly reduces the risk of electrical shock and fires. The three-prong cord itself should only be used with properly grounded three-slot outlets. Amperage, Gauge & Cord Length Each extension cord has a maximum amperage — the limit on the current it can conduct safely. Connecting devices with a higher current, may cause overheating. Tip: You can usually find the energy requirements for electrical devices listed on the device itself or in the instruction manual. If you plan to connect multiple devices to the cord at the same time, add up the current requirements for each device. The power requirements for some devices are listed in watts, rather than amps. Use this formula to convert the rating to amps: Amps = watts/110. If an extension cord doesn't include a maximum amperage rating, you can figure out its capacity by looking at its American Wire Gauge (AWG) rating.

A lower AWG number indicates a thicker wire and a higher capacity, so the lower the number, the higher the cord's capacity to deliver power. Gauge is typically listed along with the number of conducting wires in the cord. For example, a 14/3 cord contains 14-gauge wire and has three conductions inside. Typically, you can find a cord's gauge rating printed on the cord jacket. If you're replacing an old cord, look for the AWG number printed on the jacket, and select a new cord with the same gauge. To determine the cord's capacity, consider the cord length along with the wire gauge. Every extra foot of cord increases the electrical resistance, which decreases the power the cord can deliver to connected devices. Because of this, it's best to use a cord that is only as long as you need. Good for Use with 1 – 13 Amps 14 – 15 Amps 16 – 20 Amps 1 – 10 Amps 11 – 13 Amps 1 – 7 Amps 8 – 10 Amps 11 – 15 Amps There are extension cords with a GFCI, lighted plug, connector box, multiple sockets and more depending upon your needs.