Are your extension cords tangled every time you get them from storage? Or perhaps, they do not tangle, but there’s a lot of curved areas in the cord when you try to lay it straight on the ground.
If you are experiencing any of these problems, you probably didn’t coil your extension cable properly.
To help you with your problem, I made an easy-to-follow guide on how to keep extension cords from tangling when coiling them.
Table of Contents
Steps to Keep Extension Cords From Tangling
You can see different wrapping techniques on the internet to apply to your extension cord. However, not all of these tricks are suitable for every cable or everyone.
For example, when you braid an extension cord, the finish product may be very long still, making it inappropriate to hang with your other tools. At the same time, using a wrap organizer like a cord reel, even the cheapest one, will still cost you money.
Now, to make a solution for everyone, I will share the best way to coil an extension cord that won’t cost you anything. Moreover, this trick can also be used on other items such as ropes.
This tangled wires solution is what we call the over-under wrap. It is very popular among many professionals, since apart from avoiding tangles, it can also prevent early damage to cables.
If you want to know the right way to wrap extension cord using the over-under method, here is the step-by-step guide you should follow.
Step 1. Remove the Tangles of the Cord
To prevent frustration when wrapping your cords, you must ensure that they are tangle-free first.
You may untangle electrical cords by laying them straight on the ground and undoing all twists.
Step 2. Wrap a cord so it doesn’t tangle
To start wrapping the cord, hold one end with one hand.
Then, grab the cord with your other hand and make one regular loop with an over-hand position.
For the second loop, make an underhand coil. This way, you can prevent twisting the wire.
Continue repeating the first and second loop until you reach the end of the cord.
Step 3. Store the cord
Now that you are done with the looping process, you need to secure the coil before you put it in storage.
The best tool you can use for the lock is an extension cord holder. This tool is appropriate since it has ready hook features that can be used for wall hanging and keep cords from tangling.
However, if you do not have any locking tool for securing the coil of your cable, you can use any tie as an alternative.
FAQS
Why Do Extension Cords Get Twisted?
The most common reason for a twisted extension cord is coiling it continuously in one direction, such as using overhand loops on the entire length of the cable.
If this problem gets neglected and you continue incorrectly coiling your extension cord, the twisted wire may incur damage.
To prevent this problem, you should know how to roll up extension cord without tangling. In this case, you can use the guide above to learn how it can be done.
In addition, I’d like to recommend you this tutorial on the steps to daisy chain the extension cords.
Is There an Extension Cord That Doesn’t Tangle?
A tangle free extension cord is now available to purchase in the market. However, I don’t think the extension cord that won’t twist can stay that way through its entire lifespan.
No tangle extension cord still depends on how you use and store it.
How Do You Keep Extension Cords from Separating?
First of all, before I answer this question, I disagree with using two or more extension cords connected together. This connection is hazardous, damaging the cords and leading to a serious injury or fire.
Still, if you want to secure two extension cables together, you can use a tool like the SPEEDWRAP Cord Connector.
However, if you do not want to spend money, you can also loop both ends of the cables before plugging them.
Conclusion
Knowing how to keep extension cords from tangling will help make them ready for use. Additionally, utilizing the over-under way of wrapping prevents the wires from twisting, which can extend their lifespan.
And if you have a no kink extension cord, maintaining it will be even easier.
Did you enjoy reading this article? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
I am Edwin Jones, in charge of designing content for Galvinpower. I aspire to use my experiences in marketing to create reliable and necessary information to help our readers. It has been fun to work with Andrew and apply his incredible knowledge to our content.