How to make extension cord. There are several reasons why homeowners prefer custom extension cords over the ones they can purchase at the hardware store: quality, safety, and convenience.
Who doesn’t want convenient quality? If you need an extension cord that plugs into multiple power sources at once, then you may be wondering how to go about creating one for yourself. The first step is quite easy as you only need a few items in order to get started.
How to make extension cord
Before deciding on which extension cord to use, it’s incredibly important to first determine how much power you need and where you’re going to be using it.
If you have a consistent workspace that can deliver the electric supply, just measure out how long of an extension cord will be needed for your projects and add some feet for slacking.
Typically, the electric cable should be a maximum length of 20 to 25 feet in length.
Calculate the length of an extension cord
Decide on the length of extension cord you’re going to need. For example, measure out that same distance and add a few more feet as leeway. Typically extension cords aren’t any longer than 24 feet in length.
Buy the 10/3 SJ-cord
Head over to the hardware store and there should be a 10/3 SJ-CORD hanging by the electrical supplies that typically costs about $1.50 per foot and has thick, black wires with black, white, and green insulation inside.
Slice the cord at one end
You can cut a small slit into the 10/3 SJ-cord at one end by using your knife. Remove any plastic casing around the 3 black wires to discover them.
Take a cable stripper tool and remove about an inch and a half worth of the rubber coating surrounding these wires.
Remove the excess carefully
Remove the strips of paper insulation that are wrapped around the wires and carefully cut away the excess outer sheath. While doing this, be careful not to damage any of the wires.
Screwdriver is needed
The plastic cap that is attached to the female plug can be loosened using your screwdriver. Pull out the two wires sticking out of the plastic cap and then pry it open.
This is a copper-colored board, a silver-colored board, and a green-colored board. The screwdriver should be used to remove each bolt holding the three metal terminals in place.
Wire strippers are necessary
Using the wire strippers, peel approximately half an inch of insulation off each exposed SJ wire in your cord. It’s also important to note that you also need to cut a quarter-inch off the end to allow for all the wires.
You should take the green wire
Carefully take the green wire, and snip off the excess exposed copper wire. Then twist the dried exposed wires so that they are pulled together tightly.
Next, slip the green wire into the appropriate terminal and tighten it with a screwdriver until it’s snug.
You should take the white wire
Using the same technique as before, twist the white wire under the silver terminal and secure it. The black wire will then be connected to the copper terminal.
Verify each wire twice
Double-check each wire for any loose strands. If you see any, loosen the connection, retwist the loose wires, and tighten it.
After you have checked every wire to make sure none are exposed or frayed, close the female plug cap and tighten the two screws to finish splicing them together.
The cap should cover up the SJ cord’s black sheath. If any of your wires outside the cord caps do not fit properly.
Then disassemble them and shorten them so they are in the proper lengths that fit with each other accordingly before covering them again with a closure cap.
This will ensure maximum protection to avoid future degradation of your connections.
Last Step
SJ-cords should be connected to male plug caps with the other end of the cord connected to a power source.
Testing 120 volts on the SPAG circuit indicates that it has successfully been activated when 120 volts are supplied to it via a voltage tester.
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