Quality Shore power cord

vermilye wrote:
Probably more than most people are interested in, but some general information on cord:

S types without the "J" are 600v Extra Hard Usage Service Grade.
SJ types are 300v Junior Hard Service Grade.

Code does not specify which cord type (S or SJ) is required for an RV, only length (minimum of 25'). Although SJ cords are lighter & less expensive, they are more easily damaged. Type S cords have thicker jackets, more fillers, and are much tougher (most could be used as a tow chain).

Either can be made with a thermoplastic or synthetic rubber jacket. Thermoplastic insulations are less expensive, but get very stiff when cold, while synthetic rubber are flexible warm or cold, but cost quite a bit more than thermoplastic. To add even more confusion, there are Thermoset cord types that can have good cold flexibility.

Cord designations use additional letters to define some of their specifications. For example, an "O" stands for oil resistant and can be added to either weight cord.

An additional "O" stands for oil resistant fillers, a "W" for weather resistant. If there is a "T" in the cord description, it will be thermoplastic, however some thermoplastic cords leave out the "T". Because the letter designations can be confusing, it is better to look at specific manufacturers.

Carol Wire produces both an S & SJ Super Vu-Tron rubber cord, however #10 is the largest size available on a standard order. This is an extremely flexible cord even below freezing.

Coleman Wire manufactures Seoprene 105 SEOOW & SJEOOW cord that is rated as extremely flexible at cold temperatures. Here is a link to general cord information & their product.

Lastly, some of the cord you can purchase at your local big box hardware store will be thermoplastic. You need to carefully check the product information if you want cold weather cord. Another solution is to go to a real electrical supplier to get the better quality cords, however they will not be inexpensive.

Thank you. That is VERY informative... With this info, I can look at the markings on a cord, have a better idea of what it is.