Extension Board

Extension board as the name implies it is used for extending the circuit
means providing the power supply at the desired place.
Extension boards are part of every house, every commercial
establishment and even every industrial establishment. Extension boards
are readily available in the market and these can be designed as per
requirements.

Extension board consists of following:-

1. Switches
2. Sockets
3. Extension cord
4. Box on which switch sockets mounted
 Phase is circulated in sockets through switches and neutral and
earth are connected at every socket directly.
 Have to install 5A or 15 A switch and sockets as per load
requirements.
 All connections should be tightly done and no loose wiring should be
remain as otherwise it leads to short circuit and shocks. So have to
double check should be done for checking tightness.

 To make an extension cord, get an electrical wire with appropriate

length. The length of cord should be considered, based on the
requirements. Try to choose the minimum length as required.
Because the length increases the electrical resistance and thereby
the copper loss. So, every extra length of cord reasons for power
loss in the conductor. The increase in length creates a voltage drop
across the cord and decreases the amount of power that can deliver
by the cord. Thus, use a cord length that maintains the
requirement and also not in excess.
 Connect each neutral and earth pole in the sockets, in parallel to the
main neutral and the earth.  Distribute the phase line to the phase
poles of the sockets via individual switches. Usually, all the socket
will be similar to match the plug of extension cord. Use socket types
that suits the load’s plug. Or use multiple types of sockets.
 The wires and the parts should satisfy the power requirements.
Depending the loads which may be used, choose a cord cable with
proper wire gauge. Extension cords should have a minimum of 16
AWG. And the rated load power should be at the limit of amperes
the chord can drive. If available, it is recommended to wire circuit
with standard colour codes. Because it helps to identify the lines
during wiring and also if any chance of maintenance occurs.
Commonly phase, neutral and ground connections have red, black
and green respectively. The colour codes followed may vary with
countries, in most countries ground connection has green. But
for phase and neutral different colours are using.
 Always make sure the extension cord has no any overload condition.
To protect the cord from over current, install a fuse inside the
extension cord for the rated power capability. A fuse can be added in
the phase line before the first switch in the circuit. Additional options
such as Fuse/Mini MCB, power-on indicator, etc, can be included
with the extension box.

 Keep extension cord cable protected from physical damages. Make

sure it has proper insulation and avoid chances of contact with water
or wet surroundings.
 Also, the cord should not have rolled or coiled while in use. The
coiled structure causes inductive reactance or impedance across the
coil and drops voltage across the wire.