4 Things to Know About Checking Extension Cords for Breaks

Use a continuity tester or multimeter for reliable results You cannot reliably test for internal breaks without a continuity tester, which is what a multimeter does. Guessing or visual inspection won’t confirm a break.

The flex test can find obvious breaks without a tester Plug in a working lamp or small appliance, then slowly bend the cord along its entire length while it’s running. If the light flickers or cuts out at a specific spot, you found the break.

The flex test misses partial breaks and won’t detect dangerous heat This method only finds open circuits, not high-resistance partial breaks. It also won’t tell you if the cord is dangerously hot but still passing current.

Replace old, frayed, or warm cords instead of testing them If the cord is old, frayed, smells funny, or feels warm during normal use, just replace it. Extension cords are cheap, and a fire is not worth the risk.