Taming the tangle of extension cords is a problem almost everyone has experienced, whether you are a business professional, a do-it-yourself homeowner, or just someone who hates tangling up cords. There are many ways to store an extension cord, some homemade and some commercially made. One method is called the loop method. Another method is called the spool of cord method. A third way to store an extension cord is like a daisy chain, and finally, another way to keep an extension cord is on a clothes hanger. No matter what, storage is all about safety. A certified electrician from Mr. Electric can answer any electrical safety questions.
Benefits of Extension Cord Storage
Proper extension cord storage is a must-have for anyone who uses or owns an extension cord. Extension cords are used for various applications in the home, garage, office, and even outdoors, and they can be found in almost every home, garage, office, and outdoors. If you're using your extension cord properly, then it's likely that you'll want to store it correctly as well.
There are many benefits of proper extension cord storage.
- You'll be able to find what you need quickly, especially if your cords are color-coded.
- Extension cords can become tangled and knotted, causing damage that can shorten the lifespan of your cords and increase the risk of electrical fire or shock.
- Properly stored extension cords will last longer than those left in a tangled mess.
- Safely stored cords will not present tripping hazards as easily as tangled cords.
- If you have children in your home, keeping extension cords organized will help prevent accidents due to unruly cords being left out where they can be easily accessed by curious hands or feet!
Make a Loop
The first thing you should do when storing your extension cord is to ensure it's unplugged from both ends and then make a loop. The loop should be big enough so that when you wrap it around itself, the plug will still fit easily without having to force anything through it. This way, if anyone needs to use this extension cord again later on down the road, they can quickly unplug it from one end and plug it back into another device without having to worry about getting tangled up with their tools or whatever else they might have in their hand at the time.
A Spool of Cord
The most common way to store extension cords is in a spool. These are easy to use and store a bunch of cords together. You can get them in many different sizes and colors. They are also reasonably cheap, but if you have many cords or want to keep them organized, this is probably the best option.
Store Like a Sailor
You can wrap the cord around your hand and then tie it off with a tight knot, making it easy to store on a shelf or in small spaces like under your bed or desk. This method works well if you don't have a lot of extension cords to store.
Store as a Daisy Chain
The Daisy Chain is similar to the sailor storage method, but instead of tying it off, you'll hang it up like a belt or tie it around to look like an old-fashioned daisy chain! This works well if you have a few extension cords but don't want them to take up too much space.
Hang On a Hanger Like a Belt or Tie
This method is excellent if you have several extension cords that need storing and don't want them taking up too much space.
All About Electrical Safety
Long extension cords are necessary for many, so it's always good to have them neatly stored away. It has been shown that winding extension cords up in a spool or loop helps reduce the chance of tripping over them and tangling them up. Taking care of your electrical devices also helps keep them working safely and effectively. One standard solution is to store the cords inside a stuff sack and some duct tape with many uses. A much more common solution, however, is to store extension cords on hooks or coat hangers in closets, but be sure that you store the correct gauge cord with the correct rating.
Contact Mr. Electric with any electrical safety questions.
