DeWalt 10/3 Lighted CGM Extension Cord (100 ft)

First impressions and setup

I put this cord to work on a couple of jobsites where 100 feet of reach isn’t optional, it’s required. Out of the wrap, the DeWalt 10-gauge locking cord looks and feels like a pro-grade lead: thick jacket, oversized strain reliefs on both ends, bright yellow for visibility, and a locking female connector that’s clearly not the typical twist or friction fit. The jacket is SJTW PVC, so it’s meant for outdoor use and tough conditions. Even fresh from the coil, it didn’t have the stiff, wiry memory that cheaper cords carry—promising for cold-weather handling.

The locking connector: simple and effective

The standout feature is the locking female end. It’s not a NEMA twist-lock; it’s a push-to-lock, pull-to-unlock collar that works with standard straight-blade 120V plugs. Insert a tool or cord cap and it automatically captures the plug. A light push seats and locks it; to release, pull the collar back and the plug slides right out. In practice, it’s exactly what I want on ladders, roofs, and in congested remodel zones: an extra layer of security against nuisance disconnects.

I yanked on it harder than I normally would to simulate snagging on framing and sawhorses. It held. More importantly, it didn’t require two hands or fiddling with a release tab while balancing a saw. If your plug has a very bulky molded body or a right-angle form factor, the collar may not fully engage—mine still connected and powered the tool in those cases, just without the lock. With standard straight plugs, it locks reliably.

Power and ground indicators: useful at a glance

DeWalt puts two indicators on the female end: an amber LED to show power is present through the entire cord and a green LED for continuous ground monitoring (CGM). The amber light is a quick sanity check that the source is live and you don’t have a break somewhere along 100 feet. The green CGM LED is the more valuable one on temporary power, generators, and older structures—it lets you know you actually have ground continuity.

I purposely moved the cord among a GFCI circuit, a generator inlet, and a couple of older receptacles during a renovation. The LEDs behaved as expected: amber on when the source was live, green on when ground was correctly carried. It’s not a GFCI, and it doesn’t measure polarity or a full spectrum of wiring faults, but as a quick safety check before powering a saw or compressor, it’s a meaningful upgrade over a “lighted end” cord.

The lights are bright enough to see in daylight and subdued enough at night that they don’t become headlamp glare. The glow is helpful under decks and in basements where you’d normally fish out a separate tester just to confirm you’re good to go.

Real-world performance and voltage drop

Even though this is a 10/3 cord, it’s rated for 15 amps at 125V (1,875W). The heavier gauge isn’t about bumping the current rating; it’s about keeping voltage drop down over long runs. On a 100-foot lead, that matters for tools at the top end of a 15A circuit.

I ran a 15-amp worm drive circular saw, a jobsite table saw, and a small oil-lube compressor. Startup felt normal and consistent, even at the far end of the cord. I didn’t hear the sluggish, low-voltage tone you get with a skinny cord, and the saws held speed under load better than they typically do on a 12- or 14-gauge 100-footer. Motors ran cooler after extended cuts, which is exactly what I want to see if I’m ripping sheet goods all day. This is where the 10-gauge conductors earn their keep.

Cold-weather handling and durability

The jacket is rated down to -58°F (-50°C) and up to 221°F (105°C). I can’t vouch for the extreme low end, but I did work in a frosty pre-dawn where many cords turn into memory coils. This one unspooled cleanly and didn’t fight me when I over-under coiled it at the end of the day. That said, it’s still a 10-gauge, 100-foot cord: it’s heavy and takes up space. A reel or strap makes life easier if you’re hauling it from site to site.

DeWalt uses 100% copper conductors with fine stranding (65 strands of 30 AWG per conductor). Combined with oversized strain reliefs, that should minimize internal fatigue where cords usually fail—right at the plugs. The contact blades and pins are nickel-coated to resist corrosion. I used it in damp conditions and tossed it into a truck bed a few times; the ends are holding up well so far. As always, this is weather-resistant, not submersible. Avoid standing water and use a GFCI-protected source.

Ergonomics and day-to-day usability

• The bright yellow jacket is easy to spot, which helps with trip hazards.
• The female end has a comfortable grip area, even with gloves, and the collar action is intuitive.
• The lighted indicators are more than a gimmick; I relied on them repeatedly during a generator hookup and quick outlet checks.
• Coiling is straightforward with an over-under method; the jacket doesn’t fight you once it’s been worked in.
• Weight is the trade-off. You’ll feel it on ladders and long carries. If you mostly do short runs, a 25–50 ft cord in 12 gauge might be a better everyday option.

Compatibility notes

The locking collar played nicely with most straight-blade 5-15 plugs on my tools and corded adapters. Right-angle and oversized molded plugs sometimes prevented the collar from fully engaging, but everything still powered up and stayed connected with normal friction. The collar doesn’t damage the plug body; it just captures it. If you rely on inline GFCI plugs or unusually large housings, you may not get the lock, but you’ll still have a standard connection.

Safety and compliance

This cord is UL listed and cUL approved, which matters for jobsite compliance and inspections. The CGM feature is a welcome safety aid, but it doesn’t replace GFCI protection or proper testing on temporary power. Treat the LEDs as quick, continuous indicators—not comprehensive diagnostics. It’s rated for 125V, 15A, and 1,875W. Stay within those limits even though the conductors are 10 gauge.

What I’d change

• A weather cap on the female end would be nice for storage in the rain.
• A slimmer collar profile could improve compatibility with more oversized plug bodies.
• Including a Velcro strap or keeper in the box would help wrangle 100 feet of heavy cord.

None of these are deal-breakers, and the fundamentals—the lock, LEDs, copper conductors, and jacket—are all dialed in.

Who it’s for

• Tradespeople running 100-foot leads to saws, compressors, and heaters up to 15A.
• Crews working with generators or temporary power who benefit from quick, continuous grounding indication.
• Cold-weather users who need a cord that stays flexible at low temps.
• Anyone frustrated by accidental disconnects and tired of replugging tools mid-cut.

If you’re mostly plugging in a trim router across a garage, the weight and cost of a 10-gauge, 100-foot cord may be overkill. For jobsite-level loads and distances, it makes a noticeable difference.

The bottom line

The DeWalt 10/3 locking cord does three things that matter on site: it stays connected, it tells you at a glance that you’re powered and grounded, and it minimizes voltage drop across 100 feet. The build quality is there, from the nickel-coated contacts to the oversized strain reliefs, and the cold-weather rating aligns with how it behaves in real use.

Recommendation: I recommend this cord for pros and serious DIYers who routinely run long distances at or near 15 amps. The locking connector reduces downtime, the LEDs add a meaningful layer of confidence on temporary power, and the 10-gauge conductors help your tools perform as intended. It’s heavier and bulkier than lighter-gauge options and it’s not a substitute for GFCI protection, but as a reliable, jobsite-ready lead, it earns a spot in the kit.