Identifying the Risk of Damaged Cords: When to Replace Your Power Cord

Regardless of your industry or career, power cords are a vital part of our daily life. They provide us with the energy we need to conduct business, entertain guests and keep up with modern technology. It is important to be aware of when your cord could be damaged or broken as the outcomes of damaged power cables can lead to and cause detrimental events such as fires and damaged equipment. It can happen without warning which leaves you in an emergency if the cord has been cut off from the wall outlet by accident or you have tripped over it and pulled it out from where it was plugged into a power source.

When you see your power cords starting to show signs of wear or damage, it might be time to replace them, but how do you know when your power cables are possibly damaged. The first step in determining if your cord is broken is checking the cord's insulation. If it has any cuts, cracks, or exposed wires then you need to replace the cord immediately. Broken insulation and exposed wire can also cause your cord to overheat. Any sign of any type of damage should be a signal that it is time for a replacement as this could lead to an electrical fire or worst-case scenario, death from electrocution.

Another sign of a damaged power cable is charring. If there is any black or brown residue on the cord then it could be a sign that the insulation has been burned away and you will need to replace the power cable before continued use.

If your cords are frayed, it's time for a replacement too. Fraying means that the protective sheath around the wire has started to come off and like broken insulation, can overheat and cause a safety hazard.

Another that a power cord is broken or damaged and needs to be replaced is if it is not performing as it originally did when it was new. This can be determined by checking the amperage on the cord. If it is not what it used to be then it's time for a new power cord.

The final indication is with the use of a testing tools. Eliminate guesswork with testing tools, such as the ones offered by Cables.com. There are a variety of testing tools available including LAN and PC cable testers, toners, data/link ID, real world certifying tools, and many others.

Replace your power and network cables before they cause any damage and keep you, your employees, and your business safe!

If you have determined that it is time to replace your cords, visit Cables.com all your power cable needs.