But most important, Iron Forge Cable offers a lifetime warranty.ĪmazonBasics 12/3 SJTW – This is the lowest priced name brand cord available. And the female end has an LED lighted socket to let you know when the power is on. Something that can be incredibly difficult to find. It has great flexibility in both the heat and cold. Iron Forge 12/3 SJTW – In my opinion, the best outdoor extension cord on the market. They are available in the 25 foot, 50 foot, and 100 foot variety. But if you prefer to buy online, here are few that I think work great on most snow blowers. Your local hardware store should have a number of outdoor extension cords to choose from. Attaching two 25-foot cords might seem like a good plan, but it is not safe for you or your snow blower. Do not use two extension cords connected to each other.Avoid letting it sit outside in the elements when not in use. It keeps the cord off the ground and prevents you from tripping over it. Otherwise, the over-the-shoulder technique is my favorite. Some snow blower come with a clip that you can attach the cord to. Have a plan for managing your extension cord.Make sure the cord is certified by an independent testing laboratory.Also one that may be rated for a higher amperage than your machine. If you do require a long cord (like 100 feet), you will definitely want to go with a 12 gauge. This is why it is recommended to get a cord that is only as long as you need. So a 100-foot cord will not deliver the same power as a 50-foot cord of the same specs. As the length of the cord increases, so does the electrical resistance (voltage drop). My recommendation is to go with a 12 gauge extension cord to be safe.
Some units require a 14 gauge cord at minimum. Your snowblower will list the recommended gauge in the instruction manual. The lower the gauge number, the thicker the wire is inside. This determines how much power the cord can carry. The wire gauge is the thickness of the copper wire inside the casing. So if you purchase a 13A unit, you will need a cord that is rated for 13A or more. This typically ranges between 7 amps for power shovels on up to 15 amps for your top-of-the-line electric snow blowers. With electric snow blowers, the amps should be prominently displayed in the product description (and often on the machine itself). Failing to do so can lead to your machine not getting the maximum power it needs or the cord overheating. It is important to purchase an extension cord that is at or over the amperage of your snow blower. AmperageĮxtension cords come with their own maximum amperage. Just avoid any cord with the P designation. You will want to make sure any cord has those letters listed on the label. T – Cord jacket is made with vinyl thermoplasticĮ – Cord jacket is made with thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE)įor use with your snow blower, the S, J, and W designations are most important. Typically found in air conditioner and household extension cords W – Weather resistant (rated for outdoor use) Those designate what the cords are made with and what they do. You may have noticed that extension cords can have random letters listed on the label. Using a cord that is not properly insulated can lead to shock or shorting out your expensive snow blower. Their heavy insulation protects against the cold and from moisture getting in. Outdoor cords are designed to remain flexible in the lowest temperatures. Unlike your standard extension cord, you’ll need one built for cold weather. There are many factors to take into account to not only provide a safe experience, but to get maximum power out of your machine.
This decision is not as simple as grabbing the first one off the shelf though. If you’ve purchased an electric snow blower or a gas-powered model with electric start, an extension cord is necessary.