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Dangerous extension cords

Extension cords seem like a safe place to save a few dollars by buying something cheaper. Don't!
By Adrian Kingsley-Hughes, Contributing Writer
Melty plastic!
1 of 8 Adrian Kingsley-Hughes/ZDNET

Melty plastic!

That must have been overheating for a while.

Signs of arcing
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Signs of arcing

Looks like the contact was making por connections and causing arcing.

The diagnosis...
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The diagnosis...

... poor quality connectors.

Poor quality construction
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Poor quality construction

Even the contacts that hadn't melted were showing signs of overheating.

Damaged wire!
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Damaged wire!

The wire going to the neon indicator was also charred and damaged.

More overheating
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More overheating

Looks like the surge protection module was also causing overheating.

Damaged neutral wire
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Damaged neutral wire

The insulation on the blue neutral wire was also sliced through by being trapped under the earth rail. 

Surge protector circuit
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Surge protector circuit

Here we have thermal fuses (the translucent components), metal oxide varistors (blue discs). This is a very basic surge protector circuit found in extension cords.

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