Finding Better Electronics

In today's digital age, power cords are instrumental in connecting our devices to an energy source. Although they look rather sturdy, power cords are actually rather fragile and are only made up of 3 layers. The innermost layer is made up of copper wires, the middle layer is made up of insulation to protect the wiring and prevent it from short circuiting, and the outermost layer is made from rubber or plastic to shield the insulation and wiring. Power cords take quite a lot of abuse from day-to-day use and can fray easily. To prevent that from happening, implement the following 3 important tips.

Be Careful of Where You Keep or Place the Power Cords

Daily abuse is one of the main causes for fraying. You need to be careful of where you place the power cords, and how you store them. When the power cords are plugged into an outlet and in use, lay them carefully on the ground. Make space for them and try to avoid bending the power cords too much. Many people tend to wrap the cords around each other, so they take up less space. If you choose to do this, make sure that you don't wrap the cords too tightly or else they'll be under a lot of strain.

You should also try to find a safe space to keep the power cords. It's not unusual for people to run their chairs over the cords on a daily basis or have the cords caught under heavy items, like a desk. Make sure that you don't hang a heavy appliance by the cord either.

Protect the Cord with Tape or Some Putty

Although the outermost layer of most power cords are made from some type of sturdy plastic or rubber, the power cords are not as sturdy as they appear. It's easy for the plastic or rubber to weaken with time. You can prevent your power cords from fraying by protecting this outermost layer with an additional layer of protection. You can wrap tape or even some type of rubber putty around the power cords to protect them from any impact and also prevent them from being bent too much.

The parts of the power cords that are most vulnerable and weak are the ends. These areas need more reinforcement than others. Add an extra layer for good measure, and make sure that these areas can't be bent, as that will weaken their structural integrity.

Confirm that the Power Cords Are Compatible with the Outlet

Fraying can be caused by not only damage to the outermost surface of the cords, but also from the inside out. This usually happens when excessive current flows through the wiring. The heat and stress from the excessive current flow damages the power cords from the inside out. This essentially weakens all layers of the cords, making them a lot more susceptible to fraying and other issues.

Before you plug any power cords into an outlet, check to confirm that the specifications of the power cords are compatible with the outlet and the device. Don't risk plugging power cords into an outlet with a significantly higher current flow.

Conclusion

Once power cords have frayed, you should toss them out as soon as possible. Frayed power cords can cause electrocution, fire, electric shocks, and other issues. They are deemed unsafe, and you don't want to risk the consequences that can come from using them. You can purchase plenty of different variations of power cords with unique features and capabilities online, so if you need more power cords go check out some sites or click here.