7 Measures for Choosing the Best Flat Cord Power Strip
Electrical faults account for millions of dollars in property damage worldwide. A significant percentage of these malfunctions also lead to loss of lives in both residential areas and commercial establishments.
Fortunately, many electrical problems are completely avoidable. One way to minimize these hazards is by buying quality components and using them according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
This article narrows our focus to a popular electrical attachment - the flat cord power strip. Read on as we unveil a 7-point checklist for choosing the best flat cord power strip.
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What Is A Power Strip?
A power strip is a block of electrical sockets that connects to the end of a flexible cable by means of a mains plug, designed to power multiple electrical devices simultaneously.
Power strips are commonly used where there's a need to bridge the gap between the wall socket and the electrical devices that need to be powered. They can help supply electricity to audio-visual systems, computer systems, kitchen appliances, power tools, and lighting.
What Is A Flat Cord Power Strip?
Power strips fall into different categories depending on several parameters, such as the shape of their cords. The two major types of power strips by cord design include round cord and flat cord strips.
Round cord power strips have a rounder design, while flat strips are flatter. The conductors in flat cord power strips are individually encapsulated, carefully set in a linear arrangement, and then surrounded with an insulation material. That’s in contrast to round cable strips, which usually feature layers of fillers and shielding.
In addition to their design differences, buying a quality flat cord power strip from a reputable electrical supplier also provides more benefits than using a round cord strip.
Flat-cord power strips take up less space than their round-cord counterparts. That’s due to their sleek and compact design. Flat cables typically occupy 50% of the space compared to round cables.
Because flat cord power strips do not contain redundant materials, these cables can also be remarkably lightweight. Besides, their compactness reduces the mess often caused by cable entanglements.
Durability and cost-efficiency are other noteworthy benefits of flat cord power strips. The design of flat cables makes it difficult to damage them even if you accidentally trample on them. These cables are also considerably easy to repair, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
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What Are The 7 Considerations While Shopping For Flat Cord Power Strips?
1. Supplier’s Reputation
It’s impossible to shop for a flat cord power strip if you do not know where to find it. So, the first step is to find a credible retailer.
Insist on electrical suppliers who have been around for a considerable duration, at least five years. Be sure to also check for online reviews to learn more about what the company’s previous customers had to say about their products and services.
2. Buying Online versus From a Physical Store
Like most electrical components, you can purchase flat cord power strips either from an online or brick-and-mortar store. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks.
Buying flat cord power strips from a physical outlet provides a more realistic shopping experience. However, prices are likely to be higher than in online stores.
3. Cable Length
Most flat cord power strips are 6 feet (1.8) meters long. However, the ideal cable length would depend on the average distance that needs bridging. It’s better to buy longer flat-cord power strips than daisy-chain the strips.
Daisy chaining entails plugging multiple power strips into each other to extend the electricity supply distance. It’s a bad practice that could overload your circuits and pose serious electrical hazards.
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4. Cable Gauge
Gauge denotes the thickness of electrical cables. It relates to the diameter of the conductors, excluding the insulation material. Higher-gauge cables are excellent for powering heavy-duty appliances.
Note that higher gauge ratings are represented by smaller numerical values. For instance, a 10-gauge flat cord is thicker than its 18-gauge counterpart.
5. Number of Outlets
Flat cord power strips can have as few as two outlets to as many as twenty. The focus should be on the average number of electrical appliances you’re seeking to use the strip with. Also, pay attention to the provision of USB charging ports.
Above all, remember that more outlets in a flat cord power strip doesn’t mean you should plug many appliances into it. Consider other parameters, too, such as the cord’s gauge ratings.
6. Circuit Breakers
Flat cord power strips should preferably have an in-built circuit breaker.
A circuit breaker helps to interrupt electric current in the event of an overload or a short circuit. It contains a wire that automatically melts when excess current flows through it.
A circuit breaker is a safety feature that protects your valuable appliances from electrical faults while saving you from costly repairs.
7. Surge Protectors
Surge protectors and circuit breakers both serve one key function - controlling the amount of electricity flowing from the main supply to your electrical appliances.
The difference is that circuit breakers only protect the wiring components within the circuit, while a surge protector protects appliances from power surge.
The general wisdom is to buy a flat cord power strip that offers both features.
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Wrap Up
Flat cord power strips are a high-involving purchase. These components can support or jeopardize your home’s electrical system.
Feel free to save this article as a reference whenever you’ll be looking for a high-quality flat-cord power strip.
