DEAR TIM: My electric hedge trimmer, chain saw and other tools seem to struggle when I use them outside. The size of my yard requires me to use a 100 foot extension cord. The motor on one tool has already failed after just 2 years. What is causing this? Are there new improvements in extension cords that can prevent electric tool failures and other electrical accidents? Susan, Clemson, SC

DEAR SUSAN: The electric motor sensor in your tool was probably caused by overheating. The excessive heat within the motor was very likely caused by low voltage. My best guess is that you are using an undersized extension cord. Thousands of electric tools die each year prematurely because they are starved for voltage by thin, undersized extension cords. Your other electric tools suffer every time you plug them into that cord.

Not all extension cords are created equal. Within the outer insulation of an extension cord you will find wires that contain different amounts of copper. Wires that contain more copper can supply your tools with more power. Wire size is measured by the gauge or thickness of the wire. You will often see numbers like 16, 14 or 12 gauge on extension cord wrappers. Believe it or not, as the number gets smaller, the thickness of the copper wire gets bigger! Thus, a 12 gauge wire can carry significantly more power than a 16 gauge wire. My guess is that your extension cord is a 16 gauge or possibly an inferior 18 gauge cord.

Long extension cords can cause excessive resistance and voltage drop. Voltage drop will damage tools. You can minimize this damage by selecting the proper length cord for the job. The best advice is to always use the shortest extension cord possible when powering a tool or device. You may have to purchase cords of varying lengths to power tools. I happen to own cords that range in length from 25 feet up to 100 feet.

You can protect your tools and yourself with many of the new and exciting improvements in extension cords. One of my favorites are the new, short extension cords that contain ground fault circuit breakers. These nifty cords allow you to work safely in damp grass or other locations where you are operating outdoor electrical equipment near water. The ultra-sensitive ground fault breakers, housed within the cord, can sense short circuits before you get shocked. These devices are a must if you work in wet locations.

You can also purchase short extension cords that contain miniature circuit breakers. These cords sense voltage drops in long cords and will cut off the power to the tool before the motor can be damaged.

If you are frustrated by stiff extension cords that become unruly in cold temperatures, look for cords that contain rubber in the outer insulation covering. The rubber compounds allow the cords to stay flexible and supple even at temperatures well below 0 degrees F.

Have you ever plugged in a tool and had no power? Finding the source of the problem is now easy if you use a cord with a lighted end. A small night-lite type bulb is permanently fused in the end of a clear plug end. If there is power at the end of the cord, the light glows. You can purchase simple adapters that tell you the same thing if you wish to have this convenience for your existing extension cords.