Electrical Cable Safety

Extension lead cables are usually stored by winding the cable around a drum. When you use the cable, you unreel the length of cable you need, possibly leaving much of the cable wound around the drum. However, electrical cable wound around itself creates a magnetic field; the greater the flow of electricity, the greater the magnetic field. This creates warmth, so the cable heats up, and if the heat exceeds the limits of the protective coating on the cable, it will melt and may catch fire. Ideally, for safety reasons, you need to unreel the complete electrical cable during use.

The U.S. operates a numbered wiring system for all electrical cable called the American Wire Gauge, or AWG. High numbers relate to thinner cable while the lower the number the thicker the cable. Ensuring you use the correct size is imperative to electrical cable safety. Cables have the AWG marked all along them. The cable size relates directly to the maximum amperes the cable is capable of carrying. Connecting a high-powered device to a thin cable can result in electrical resistance that the cable is unable to take. The metal core grows hot and will melt, creating an electrical short or a fire.

Regularly check electrical cable connections. Loose wires can end up touching each other, causing a short. Additionally, loose wires can arc, meaning that sparks are produced as the electricity attempts to jump from one wire to another. It can easily lead to the start of a fire. Check your cables regularly from beginning to end, to see that they are not damaged, but always ensure you have removed the plug from the wall socket first, just in case you come across an exposed wire.

The fuses in the plug that is attached to your cable must bear relation to the power that the device draws. This ensures that in the event of a fault in the cable or electrical device, the fuse will blow cutting off electricity. For example, a table lamp needs a fuse rated at less than 5 amperes, as electricity consumption is low. If you put a 15-ampere fuse into the plug, it's unlikely to blow if something goes wrong, meaning electricity is still flowing, compromising safety.