First published: 15 January 2021 @ 5:24 pm
How Many Electrical Extension Chords Should You Connect? When considering the number of extension cords you should use, always use the minimum number of extension cords to accomplish your task.
If you are running several power tools, or you are using several light fixtures, you should probably use an extension cord.
But if you are only running one or two electrical devices, such as a vacuum cleaner or an iron, you may be able to accomplish your task with just a single electrical outlet.
Can I connect two different gauge Extension Cords together?
Yes. As long as the gauge of the wire is equal in both Extension Cords, they can be connected together. However, it is always recommended that Extension Cords have the same gauge wire so that they can handle the same amount of electricity and heat.
If one Extension Cord has 14-gauge wire and another has 12-gauge wire and they are connected together, they will not be able to handle as much electricity as two 14-gauge Extension Cords that are connected together. So it is best to use similar gauge wires when connecting them together.
Can I connect a different gauge Extension Cord to a light fixture?
Yes. As long as the wire gauge of the Extension Cord is equal to or greater than the light fixture, you can connect it. However, we recommend that Extension Cords have the same gauge wire so that they can handle the same amount of electricity and heat.
If one Extension Cord has a 14-gauge wire and another has a 12-gauge wire and you connect them together, they will not be able to handle as much electricity as two 14-gauge Extension Cords together. So it is best to use similar gauge wires when connecting them together.
Can I connect an extension cord directly into an electrical outlet?
No. You should never connect an extension cord directly into an electrical outlet because it may damage the outlet or the cord itself. Also, you will not be able to plug anything else into this outlet if there is already something else in there.
You would be overloading it with too much electricity. The protection devices will kick in immediately when this happens and shut off power to this outlet until you unplug everything.
Can I connect an extension cord to a power strip?
Yes. You can connect extension cords to power strips. However, you should not overload them with too many devices because this can damage the Extension Cord or the power strip itself.
Also, you should not plug anything else into this outlet if there is already something else in there. If not, you would overload it with too much electricity. It may cause protection devices to kick in immediately when this happens and shut off power to this outlet.
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Can I connect two extension cords together?
Yes. You can connect two extension cords together end-to-end so that the female end of one Extension Cord stick to the male end of another Extension Cord.
This way, you can use two Extension Cords at once for double the length of cord and double the length of electricity carrying capacity so that you can run more electrical devices at once.
Just make sure that both Extension Cords have similar wire gauges so that they are able to handle as much electricity.
Otherwise, one Extension Cord may not be able to handle all of the electricity and it could become damaged or start a fire. Also, make sure that you use different color wires on each side so that you can tell which wire goes where when making your connections.
Because if you accidentally cross them when making your connections, you will blow a fuse in your electrical box or damage your electrical wiring system which could cause a fire or electrocution if done incorrectly.