3 Things to Know About Frozen Extension Cords

Bending a frozen cord cracks the insulation Cold makes PVC insulation stiff and brittle. Forcing it straight or around an object can crack the jacket, exposing wires and creating a shock or fire risk.

Cold improves copper conductivity, but that doesn’t matter Copper conducts electricity better in cold temperatures due to lower resistance. But if the wire breaks from a sharp bend, performance is irrelevant.

Use a cold-rated cord or warm it up first Rubber or TPE cords stay flexible in freezing temps. If you work outside in winter, buy a “cold-rated” cord. Otherwise, warm the cord indoors before use, or uncoil it gently.