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русскийIn wet, rainy, snowy or dusty environments, it is crucial to choose the right outdoor extension cords, as these environments can have a significant impact on the performance and safety of the wires. To ensure safety and durability, special attention should be paid to the material, structure and protection level of the extension cord. Here are specific suggestions:
Material selection
Outer insulation material
Rubber
Rubber material has excellent flexibility, weather resistance and waterproof properties, making it very suitable for wet, rainy, snowy or dusty environments. It is resistant to UV rays, low-temperature cracking and chemical corrosion, and has good wear resistance.
Advantages: durable, soft, non-slip, and resistant to high and low temperatures.
Applicable scenarios: cold areas, high humidity areas or occasions that require frequent movement.
PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
PVC is a common insulation material with a relatively low price and certain waterproof and corrosion resistance. However, compared with rubber, PVC performs poorly at extreme temperatures (such as hardening at low temperatures and aging at high temperatures).
Advantages: economical and lightweight.
Disadvantages: not as weather-resistant as rubber, and may crack if exposed to sunlight for a long time.
Applicable scenarios: short-term use or limited budget.
Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE)
TPE is a new environmentally friendly material that combines the flexibility of rubber and the processing convenience of PVC. It has good weather resistance, waterproofness and UV resistance.
Advantages: environmental protection, durability, good flexibility.
Applicable scenarios: occasions with high environmental protection requirements.
Internal wire material
Copper core (Copper Core)
Copper is one of the best conductive metals with low resistance, high conductivity and corrosion resistance. In humid or dusty environments, copper core wires can effectively reduce energy loss and improve safety.
Advantages: efficient conductivity, stable and reliable.
Disadvantages: high price.
Applicable scenarios: power supply for high-power equipment or long-term use.
Tinned copper core (Tinned Copper Core)
Tinned copper core adds corrosion resistance to ordinary copper core, which is particularly suitable for humid or dusty environments.
Advantages: strong corrosion resistance and long service life.
Applicable scenarios: coastal areas or high humidity environments.
Structural design
Waterproof design
The plugs and sockets of the extension cord should be waterproof, usually marked as "waterproof grade" (such as IP44 or IP67).
IP44: Prevent solid objects with a diameter greater than 1mm from entering, and can withstand water splashes from all directions.
IP67: Completely dustproof and can be immersed in water for a short time (depth not exceeding 1 meter) without damage.
It is recommended to choose plugs and sockets with sealing rings or waterproof covers to further improve the waterproof performance.
Multi-layer insulation structure
In humid or dusty environments, extension cords should adopt multi-layer insulation structure to enhance protection. For example:
Inner layer: copper core wire.
Middle layer: insulating material (such as PVC or rubber).
Outer layer: wear-resistant and weather-resistant protective layer.
Weather-resistant design
The outer layer of the extension cord should have UV resistance and high and low temperature resistance to adapt to changes in the outdoor environment.
Recommended protection level
Depending on the environment, you can choose extension cords with the following protection levels:
Mildly humid environments (such as courtyards and balconies): IP44 protection level can meet the needs.
Severely humid or dusty environments (such as construction sites and agricultural scenes): It is recommended to choose products with IP67 or higher protection level.
Extreme environments (such as storms and snow): Choose a dedicated heavy-duty waterproof extension cord and ensure that the plug and socket are completely sealed.
By comprehensively considering the material, structure and protection level, the safety and reliability of the extension cord in harsh environments can be ensured.
