Review on 🔌 Prime Wire Cable LT511725 Extension: Versatile and Reliable Power Extension Solution by Robert Aliraqi

This review covers six different extensions including this one. Here is a list of cables I have purchased. I originally bought the first three as examples of the three most commonly available types and then added the rest. Products in this test: #1: Yellow Jacket 2886 14/3 SJTW Contractor Heavy Duty 15A Illuminated End Extension 25' #2: US Wire 98025 14/3 SJEOW TPE 25' Cold Weather Extension Blue with Illuminated Plug #3: Woods 4301 14 /3 SJOW Ultra Flexible Rubber Extension, Supreme Green, 25' #4: Prime Wire & Cable LT511725 25' 14/3 SJTOW Bulldog Durable Extension with Prime Light, Yellow #5: Voltec 05-00361 14/3 SJEOOW All-Flex Illuminated End Extension 25' Blue #6 : Prime LT530725 Heavy Duty 25' Arctic Blue All Weather TPE Extension Goal: My goal is to find a high quality 25' 14/3 flexible extension for outdoor use. My main concern is handling (flexibility and lack of memory), which I define as a cable that lays flat on the floor and easily curls into your hand after use. A lighted fork is useful but not essential. Solid plugs are more important to me. I plan to use it in temperatures between 40 and 100 degrees - I'm not worried about extreme cold resistance. I chose the first three cords as inexpensive examples of the three common types of outdoor extension cords. Cable Properties #1: (Coleman Yellow Jacket) is an example of an SJTW extension cable. The letter T means that the jacket is made of vinyl thermoplastic (PVC). This is meant to be a premium take on the typical orange power strip, as the PVC has been specially engineered for added flexibility. I weighed it at 36.3 ounces. #2: (US Wire Extreme) - an example of a SJEOW extension cord. The letter E means that the jacket is made of thermoplastic elastomer rubber (TPE). My understanding of TPE is that it is extruded like plastic but behaves more like rubber. I weighed it 25.5 ounces. #3: (Coleman Supreme Green) is advertised as a SJOW expansion. The absence of a T or E means the cover is made of a synthetic thermoset rubber (e.g. EPDM). However, the cable when I received it was rated SJTOW with a TPE jacket (I interpret this as thermoplastic vinyl insulation with a TPE jacket). I weighed it 33 ounces. #4: (Prime Bulldog Tough) is the #1 competitor. Unlike the Yellow Jacket Cord, it has an O in the spec, meaning it's also oil resistant. I weighed it at 38.9 ounces. #5: (Voltec All-Flex) is a competitor to #2 but has an extra O for added oil resistance. I weighed it at 34.7 ounces. #6: (Prime Arctic Blue) is also a #2 competitor. I weighed it in at 36.2 ounces. First Impressions: #1: (Coleman Yellow Jacket). I am disappointed with this expansion. I had high expectations after reading other reviews. In my experience, although the jacket was soft and pliable, the cord remained wrinkled and twisted. Not at all what I was looking for. Given the discrepancy between what I found and what others have reported, I'm wondering if the cable has been altered (cheaper?) in any way. Maybe it's from a bad batch. My rating: 3 stars. #2: (US Wire Extreme) I love the elements of this line. It is the most flexible of the TPE lines (similar in flexibility to #4) and the lightest. The ends are of poor quality however, with bent sheet metal for the fork which is a showcase for me and lowers my rating. My rating: 3 stars. #3: (Coleman Supreme Green) This cable was a huge disappointment. I did not receive the SJOW cable as advertised. It looks like Coleman changed the lineup for the worse after taking over from Woods. The connector is not illuminated, but the connectors appear to be the heaviest of all cables. My rating: 3 stars. #4: (Prime Bulldog Tough). I expected this cable to be #1. I think it's the goalkeeper. Same quality plug as #6 but without locking function. My rating: 5 stars. #5: (Voltec All-Flex) Reminds me of #3 but with the same quality lighted connectors as #4 and #6. My rating: 3 stars. #6: (Prime Arctic Blue) The connectors are much better than #2 (slightly better than #1), but the cable is not as flexible. More flexible than #3 and #5. My rating: 4 stars. Verdict: I'm disappointed I didn't get to see the actual SJOW line. Carol (General Cable) still makes a cable they call FrogHide, which I might end up buying, but is double the price of the other cables in this review. Of the six lines I have reviewed, Prime Bulldog Tough (#4) is my favorite and the one I will keep. The longer the cable, the smaller the diameter (smaller diameter means thicker cable) required to deliver the same current with minimal voltage drop. Both options support 15 amps, which is also what I need for high loads like circular saws. Some people might choose two 25' 12/3 lines that can span up to 50', but I prefer custom lengths. Another interesting option is to make your own cable by purchasing a SJOW, SJOOW or SOOW cable (the extra O is extra oil resistance and the missing J is heavier sheathing) and some quality Leviton connectors (or similar) install commercially available aftermarket connectors.