When Electrical Contractors in Chicago Heights IL install or replace wiring in a home, they do not install bare metal, but rather wires covered in plastic. Customers may wonder at some point why an iron used for pressing clothing has a fabric cord instead. Other anomalies also can be considered, such as why some extension cords are narrow while others, like the bright orange models, are thick.
Insulators and Conductors
Fabric, rubber and plastic are good insulators for metal wiring because they do not conduct electricity very well, if at all. Metal, in contrast, is an excellent electrical conductor.
Plastic is what makes electrical tape unique. If the plastic around an electric cord ever frays, it can be wrapped safely with this special tape until the device or the cord can be replaced. Electrical Contractors in Chicago Heights IL understand that no other kind of tape should be used for this purpose, and this should only be a short-term strategy.
Cloth Cords
Originally, all electrical wires were covered in fabric. For most small appliances, this was eventually upgraded to rubber and plastic, which have better longevity. In regard to irons, though, thick fabric is still used because the surface of the iron gets so hot. Plastic and rubber can quickly melt if they briefly touch the hot iron, but fabric holds up. Of course, the cloth cord cannot be kept in contact with that surface for long or it will singe and burn.
Cord Thickness
If household residents ever are curious enough to check various cord materials and diameter, they find the process interesting. Microwave ovens, for instance, have thicker, heavier cords than coffeepots do. They draw a great deal more electricity and so need thicker wiring.
The thickness of an extension cord is important too. When someone wants to run power-hungry devices like space heaters and power tools, the heavier-duty extension cords are essential for preventing overheating. Extension cords are not intended to be used routinely. An electrician from a company such as Bates Electric Inc can install additional outlets so the household residents can plug their devices right into the system.
