For the purpose of household electricity utilization, we usually buy some extension cords. But there are a lot of extension cord products available on the market. Despite our comparison shopping, we may have no idea of how to determine the quality of extension cords, and may be caught in a dilemma thereby. Therefore, this section explains the ways to determine the quality of extension cords, for your reference.

Ways to determine the quality of extension cords:

1. Check to see if they are from regular brands or manufacturers.

Extension cords from well-known brands or manufacturers are more reliable. Compared to those from less known brands, the extension cords from regular brands are provided with more warranty in both materials and services. After all, a brand reputation is of vital importance to the development of an enterprise, and consumers' experiences are valued by all.

2. Check to see if the appearance is rough.

A good extension cord also has a good look. No matter the common ones or those with creative looks, good extension cords have no burrs on their shells, clean, tidy and smooth, having a good texture, an elegant and superior appearance. The joints are flat and smooth, and the connections are firm.

3. Check the material quality.

Materials employed in an extension cord mainly refer to its shell and internal copper sheets. A good extension cord shall have its shell made of plastics that is high temperature resistant and flame retardant - virgin material is the best, instead of reclaimed or waste materials. Internal copper sheets are made of tin-phosphor bronze with good comprehensive performance, and shall have a certain thickness, smooth finish, as well as good glossiness, elasticity and conductivity.

4. Check to see if the plugging/unplugging goes smoothly.

A plugging/unplugging test can be performed - during plugging, since the protective shutter has a certain resistance, you may exert some force to insert the plug into holes. The plug connection shall be firm, and it shall be also not difficult to unplug.

5. Check to see if the spacing of plug holes is proper.

For an extension cord with multiple plug holes, if the hole spacing is too small, it will be difficult to insert in two plugs at the same time, making it impossible to use multiple holes simultaneously.

6. Check to see if the extension cord meets the existing national standards.

National standards on extension cords and sockets have been updated for several times successively. From the new national standards updated last time that basically banned the use of universal plug holes, upgraded power cable and protective shutter design, to the latest new national standards that require the adoption of "one-for-each" flat holes in the two-hole/three-hole sockets, the updating of national standards also brings the upgrade in safety of power utilization.

7. Check to see if the extension cord has a 3C certification mark.

3C certification is a national compulsory certification, and only the extension cords having passed 3C certification are up-to-standard products. Do not pick any extension cord without 3C certification mark. 

How to determine the quality of extension cords? The above are some tips for your reference. In the end, we recommend you CHINT Extension cords, which are made of selected materials, have passed 3C certification and meet new national standards. Don't want to bother learning so many things? Just pick CHINT Extension cords and it'll be good!