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Good Electrical Extension Cord?

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mercifiknow

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Nov 21, 2014
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Somewhere I should be
Looking for a good electrical cord beside HF. The quality control on the ends leave a lot to be desired. I have to either squeeze together or spread apart the prongs to get them to fit depending on which cord I use. Also they are a PITA to remove from each other or the outlets.

Suggestions?


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u2slow

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When I buy cords, I'm buying cable. The ends are a convenient bonus for the short time they last.

Then I buy and install real cord ends... like the heavy-duty yellow ones.
 
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californiaHank

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Nov 20, 2015
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Hubbell has been the standard for industrial/commercial quality plugs for as long as I can remember.

I use their heavy duty ones (5256 series) wherever I can.
The slightly smaller standard duty ones (5965 series) are OK, too.
Both types come in yellow, black, and many other fashionable colors. :)

Big box stores often stock clones and lookalikes that disappoint when you get them home - IMHO, it's usually best to pay a dollar or two more and get the actual Hubbell brand.

Here's a link to 3-wire 15A plugs on Hubbell's web site:

https://www.hubbell.com/hubbell/en/...geRatingDescription:125+V:FV_NemaRating:5-15P
 
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S

Shiftless

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East Bay SFO
Pass & Seymour makes excellent cord ends as well. This one has been in regular use for over 10 years. Note the serious cord clamp held on by two machine screws. I’m pretty sure you could drive over this one and it would survive.
The cord is an old Home Depot 12 ga.

As was already said, buy the cable and prepare to replace the ends.
 

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PelicanPines

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Apr 30, 2014
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New Jersey, USA, Earth, My own reality
I have forty year old extension cords... probably about thirty or so... I lost maybe three thru damage over the years. I like the lighted ends with the plug locks... yellow cords... Found at any box store. You get what you pay for.
 
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mercifiknow

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Nov 21, 2014
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Somewhere I should be
My complaint is that there seems to be little quality control on the ends. I have a couple of HF, one from Lowe’s, and one from Walmart.

My I’m being too critical. But I also know ends should fit together without needing to be finagled to connect nor take a Mack truck to pull apart. Not that the last statement is bad.

What about Yellowjacket cords? Besides being pricey that is.

I’m seriously thinking getting some of the ends that’s been posted yesterday here. Not sure why I didn’t think about them myself.


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nadogail

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Jan 23, 2009
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Coronado, CA
californiaHank said:
Hubbell has been the standard for industrial/commercial quality plugs for as long as I can remember.

I use their heavy duty ones (5256 series) wherever I can.
The slightly smaller standard duty ones (5965 series) are OK, too.
Both types come in yellow, black, and many other fashionable colors. :)

Big box stores often stock clones and lookalikes that disappoint when you get them home - IMHO, it's usually best to pay a dollar or two more and get the actual Hubbell brand.

Here's a link to 3-wire 15A plugs on Hubbell's web site:

https://www.hubbell.com/hubbell/en/...geRatingDescription:125+V:FV_NemaRating:5-15P
Click to expand...

The attractiveness of a low quality cheaper product is soon forgotten whe you have to replace it with a quality replacement.

Granted that Hubble is the "Standard of the industry" to which everybody compares a substitute to "just as good as a ____________ (fill in the blank)"

I have found Leviton plugs and connector bodies are quite good enough for workshops.
 
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u2slow

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Nov 20, 2011
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3,584
Location
BC
PelicanPines said:
I like the lighted ends with the plug locks... yellow cords... Found at any box store. You get what you pay for.
Click to expand...

Last month I got to witness one of those types of cords (translucent ends) arcing consistently while running a couple ventilation fans. :shocking::wtf:

I know for a fact my company pays hard for all kinds of things due to their 'approved vendor' policies. Seems like the cheapo **** just gets marked up to satisfy the cliché.
 
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sberry

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Jun 18, 2005
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Brethren, Michigan
I spent a little time looking for a couple cords. I don't need better but more. The ones I look for were 16/25. Ran 1 thing on a cord, a 400 watt heat on one, a fan on another, a grinder on another and did actually use a 12/25 for a weld.
 
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Hudson31

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Joined
Apr 8, 2018
Messages
3
Location
Eastern Iowa
For me Yellowjacket are the cords to get, costly, but mine have been doing great for over 15 years. I have a short big box yellow cord that is terrible.


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