Coiling an extension cord won't create a dangerous inductive load — but heat is a real risk.

Not exactly. The whole “inductive load” thing gets repeated on forums like it’s a hidden electrical danger, but for a standard household extension cord at 60Hz AC, the inductance from coiling is negligible. You’d need a huge number of turns and high current to create any significant inductive reactance, which just doesn’t happen in normal use.

The real problem is heat buildup from resistance. A coiled cord traps heat because the air can’t circulate around it. If you’re running a heavy load — space heater, air compressor, big shop vac — the cord can overheat, melt its insulation, and start a fire. That’s the actual danger, not some mysterious inductance.

So the myth is wrong in its details but points at something real. Don’t coil a cord tightly while it’s under heavy load. If you need to run something that draws 10+ amps, uncoil the whole thing and let it breathe.

If you’re just running a light or a phone charger, coil away.