Good vs Bad Power Cables: Know the Difference for Safety and Performance

Living in the electricity-dependent world, power cables play an essential role, as it gives life to our beloved devices. As it has a major role in giving life to our electronics, the quality of power cables is something that can not be compromised on. While choosing one, we must consider other factors, apart from insulation and wires. With keeping safety regulations in mind and usage of premium components, used in the manufacturing, we should invest wisely in these cables. The blog today delves into critical differences of Good vs Bad Power cables, exploring how it can affect the life of your chosen devices. To begin with, let's have a quick look at what a Power cable is , and how it works.

What is a Power Cable and How Does it Work?

A power cable is a cable that transports electricity from the main power source to a gadget. It can provide power to appliances such as Refrigerators, Tvs, and washing machines. The length of a power cable can be longer or shorter, depending on the device it is used for. Usually, a power cable that is made from copper or aluminum is identified as a good power cable, as such material prevents the leakage of electricity, which discourages electrical shocks. A standard power cable has two ends: a male and female, while the male plugs in the main power outlet, the female is plugged into the device. Power cables have different purposes and are suitable for various uses. They can be found in commercial and industrial sectors too. These cables are also used in mining, lighting and welding as well. Such power cable types are suitable for temporary usage. However, few of them can provide stable and permanent service if used in buildings for electrical supply. 

Good vs Bad Power Cables: Know the Difference

Here are the differences, you should be aware of between good and poor power cables: 

Good Quality Power Cables:

• Cables made with finest copper conductors are an ideal pick as they are less likely to overheat.
• They come with a thick gauge that allows the current to flow safely.
• A premium quality power cable comes with a shield against electromagnetic interference ( EMI), specially for devices that are sensitive to EMI. 
• They commonly have a certification from reputable organizations, which ensures they meet the safety standards. 

Bad Quality Power Cables:

•  Poor quality power cables are likely to be manufactured with aluminum, which makes them prone to overheating. Poor power cable insulation can cause irreversible damage to the connected device. 
• They may contain a gauge that is too small to handle the current, which can result in a fire hazard.
• They are likely to expose the sensitive device to EMI, as they may not come with a mandatory power cable shielding 
• Bad power cables are not certified by any organization, which makes their safety standard dubious. 

You need to ensure the power cable quality, before you connect your appliances to the power source. Choosing a poor power cable can lead to a safety hazard. In order to discourage that, here are some other factors you should take in consideration, while purchasing one. 

Voltage Rating: An ideal power cable would have a higher voltage rating than the device you are looking for. 

Current Capacity: A current capacity is the amount of current the cable can handle safely. Before purchasing ensure that the current capacity is  higher than the device it will be connecting to.

Power Cable Gauge: Thickness of conductors in power cables are important to consider, while purchasing one. It is important to choose a cable that comes with a gauge, suitable for the amount of current flowing through it. 

Insulation Kind: Insulation plays an essential role, while picking up on the power cables. For safety reasons, it is recommended to choose power cables, made of PVC, rubber or neoprene. 

Length: Choose an ideal length that reaches the device from the power source, without any interruption or hassle. 

Keeping these points in mind, you can provide your appliances with better power cable durability and value for your money. 

Is Power Cable and Power Cord the Same ?

A lot of the time, Power cable and Power cord is used interchangeably which often confuses the people. The thing is, they do have a minor difference. While a power cable is generalized in being used for transmitting electrical power for industrial or commercial use, the power cords are used to connect portable devices to the main power outlet. They are also lightweight and flexible, compared to the power cables.

Using Good Quality Power Cables Leads to Safety 

After going through the points of Good vs Bad power cables, you must have realized that picking a power cable is a complex job. Because choosing a bad one can lead to compromising your safety or provide you with underrated performance. Picking up a power cable with no shield, or lower voltage rating, can also lead to damaging your appliance or device for good. With that said, it is advisable to choose a cable that can handle the current efficiently and comes with a certification from a trusted organization.

Furthermore, a power cable manufactured with PVC or rubber is a better choice, than ones made with cheap materials. Using a power cable is easy however, purchasing it should not be rushed, as it can put your safety in jeopardy. Apart from safety, the bad cables can provide you with interruptive performance that can over shadow your work all together. A bad cable may come with a low price tag but it can risk your hard work, the device and your life. So, invest in a good quality power cable, by visiting our store online as we are the most trusted power cable suppliers in UAE.