Mains extension cords

Power extension cables carry mains electricity to where the wall socket is too far away: a desk, a TV, office equipment or household appliances. Our range includes over 200 models, from 0.2 m to 10 m in length, with brands such as AS Schwabe, INLINE, Sygonix and Brennenstuhl.

How to choose a power extension cable

Length. Measure the distance to the socket and add a few tens of centimetres to spare. Our range includes 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10 m cables, as well as very short 0.2 m ones. Avoid leaving a long cable coiled up when it powers a high-wattage appliance, because it can overheat.

Sockets and connectors. Count your devices and leave at least one socket free. Most homes and offices use Schuko-type plugs, while computer equipment sometimes needs an IEC connector (such as C13/C14), so check the connector type before ordering.

Load. The maximum rated power or current is printed on the product and must not be exceeded. A heater, kettle or vacuum cleaner needs a thicker cable (often 3×1.5 mm²) than a lamp or a phone charger.

Protection. A switch turns off everything plugged in with one press, surge protection shields a computer or television, and child-safety shutters help in homes with young children.

Colour. White blends in better in light rooms, black suits a desk or TV area. Our range includes black, white and grey cables.

Brands in our range

• AS Schwabe: a German manufacturer known for electrical products for the home and garden, including extension leads and outdoor lighting.
• Brennenstuhl: a German manufacturer known for extension leads, cable reels and socket strips used at home, in workshops and outdoors.
• Bachmann: an Austrian company known for socket strips and sockets designed to be built into furniture and work desks.
• INLINE: a German brand known for computer cables and connectors.
• Gembird: a manufacturer known for low-cost computer accessories and cables.
• Qoltec: a Polish manufacturer known for chargers, power supplies and other computer power accessories.

Also in our range: Sygonix, Kabelmeister, Maxtrack, Micro Connect, Wentronic and Good Connections.

Frequently asked questions about power extension cables

What length of extension cable should I buy?

Choose one that reaches the socket without strain, plus a little spare. For a desk, 1.5 or 3 m is usually enough, while 5 or 10 m is for the far side of a room or a garden. An unnecessarily long cable only tangles and clutters the space.

Can I plug one extension cable into another?

It is best avoided. Chaining cables adds voltage loss and raises the risk of overheating, especially with a heater or another high-wattage appliance. A single cable of the right length is the safer choice.

How many devices can I plug into one extension cable?

As many as keep the combined power below the maximum rated power or current printed on the product. Several computer accessories or a TV with a set-top box are usually fine, but a heater or kettle is better plugged in on its own.

Can an extension cable replace a surge-protected socket strip?

No, because a plain extension cable only extends the reach of a socket and does not protect against surges. For costly equipment such as a computer, choose a model that states surge protection. A switch is convenient but does not provide that protection.