Do Extension Leads Use More Electricity?

Simple answer: No, it does not. Electricity is "consumed" in a wire due to resistive heating of said wire. Resistive heating is dependent on two factors, the resistance of the wire and the current passing through the wire.

How much electricity does a extension cord use?

As the cord gets longer, the current carrying capacity of the cord gets lower. For example, a 16 gauge extension cord less than 50 feet in length can power a 1625 watt (W) appliance. A 16 gauge cord that is longer than 50 feet in length can only power an appliance up to 1250W.

Do extension leads reduce power?

Longer cords create more electrical resistance and deliver less power to the connected device. It's best to use a cord of the proper length to reduce power loss, especially if you're using a device with a high amperage rating.