4 Things to Know About Coiling an Extension Cord

Coiling an extension cord does not create a dangerous inductive load For a standard household cord at 60Hz AC, the inductance from coiling is negligible. You would need a huge number of turns and high current to create any significant inductive reactance.

The real risk is heat buildup from resistance A coiled cord traps heat because air cannot circulate around it. Under heavy load, the cord can overheat, melt its insulation, and start a fire.

Uncoil the cord when running heavy loads If you are powering a space heater, air compressor, or big shop vac drawing 10+ amps, uncoil the entire cord to let it breathe.

Coiling is fine for low-power devices Running a light or phone charger? Coil the cord as much as you like — there is no danger.