Connecting certain household appliances to an extension cord in the power line can create a fire hazard in a multiple socket. Such power strips are a very popular solution these days and allow people to control multiple components with a single on-off switch. However, there are some devices that you should never use with power strips as they could overload the circuit and cause overheating or even a fire. Here are some examples and tips that can help you avoid overheating problems in the home.
Which could cause a fire hazard in a multiple socket
Although extension cables have become an integral part of everyday life, they should be used with caution. Whether at home or at work, several devices are often operated at the same time. Many holidaymakers are also used to thisAids in their motorhomesto have. However, special care must be taken when using an extension cable. In fact, you should not connect many types of household appliances to it because of the risk of causing serious damage. It therefore makes sense to become more informed about the possible risks.
In addition, overheating can damage your kitchen appliances, cause a power outage or even a fire. It is therefore better to avoid possible overloading of the extension cable by connecting energy-consuming devices. You will usually find labels on all extension cords or power strips that indicate a maximum power rating in watts (W). So before you decide on such an extension cable, you should definitely be aware of its maximum performance. It is also advisable to find out about the performance of the devices to be connected. If they turn out to use a lot of energy, connecting them would increase the risks mentioned above. The most common electrical devices are listed below.
Do not use power strip as surge protection
While most surge protectors look like power strips, not all power strips are surge protectors. If you want to protect your office equipment, home theater system or game console from power surges, you should make sure you purchase a power strip that is rated as surge protector. However, you can also hire a licensed electrician to install a whole-house surge protection system to protect electronics, high-power appliances, and vital circuits in your home.
High power devices must draw a lot of current through a circuit to function properly. However, also remember that a high-performance device does not have to be large to consume large amounts of power. Here are some examples of heavy-duty appliances that could pose a fire hazard in a power strip: refrigerators, washers and dryers, sump pumps, space heaters, portable air conditioners, microwaves, toasters, coffee makers, blenders, slow cookers, rice cookers, hair dryers, and other electrical hair styling devices.
Freezers or refrigerators and large kitchen appliances
Of course, the refrigerator is one of the electrical appliances that consumes the most electricity (up to 500 kWh per year). Since maximum performance can be reached quickly, you should avoid connecting such a device to an extension cable. The same applies to freezers. Additionally, large appliances like refrigerators cycle on and off frequently, which can quickly overload a power strip.
Therefore, you should connect these kitchen appliances directly to a wall socket that is used exclusively to power the appliance. If you try to plug additional power cords into the same outlet, you risk tripping the circuit.
How microwaves in the multiple socket can cause a fire hazard
The microwave is a marvel of modern food preparation, defrosting, cooking and reheating ready meals in a fraction of the time it takes a traditional oven. However, these convenient features also require more energy than a power strip can provide. Like a conventional electric stove, the microwave should have its own power outlet. According to data, a microwave whose power varies between 1,000 and 1,500 watts can consume an average of 90 kWh per year. Since such a kitchen appliance uses so much energy, you should prefer not to connect it to an extension cord to avoid overheating problems.
Connecting coffee machines to a power strip
The coffee machine is quite greedy when it comes to electrical energy, with an estimated consumption of 165 kWh/year. Therefore a connection to a single socket would be more than desirable. You might not think that your morning cup of coffee requires so much power to brew, but most coffee makers require quite a bit of energy to turn the roasted beans into a hot drink. It is therefore best to plug your coffee machine directly into the socket, otherwise you run the risk of waking up with half-brewed coffee.
Do not connect the toaster or sandwich maker to the extension cable
A toaster consumes a lot of energy when used regularly (10 minutes per week), 500 to 1000 W/year. So don't hesitate to connect devices like the coffee machine to a single socket. If you've ever peered into a toaster to remove a particularly stubborn piece of crust, you know that the interior is basically a bunch of heating elements that heat up to red-hot temperatures to toast the bread. The current draw these wires require can easily cause a power strip to overheat. The same problem also affects sandwich makers, electric griddles and waffle irons.
Hotplates and slow cookers pose a fire hazard in a multiple socket
You might think you're a smart cook if you plug your slow cooker into a power strip to make room for other appliances on the kitchen countertop, but you'd be wrong. Such cooking appliances require more power over a longer period of time than a power strip can handle. Since the appeal of a slow cooker is that it can be operated unattended, you should definitely make sure it is securely plugged into an electrical outlet to minimize any dangerous consequences.
Do not plug hair care and styling devices into a power strip
A hair straightener also requires an enormous amount of electricity. In addition, hair dryers and curling irons use a lot of energy. To prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, you should plug any such hairdressing accessory that uses heat directly into a wall outlet. This should also ideally be a waterproof socket to avoid the risk of accidental contact with water, which often happens in the bathroom.
Portable heaters and air conditioners
Portable heaters and air conditioners are designed to turn on and off, and they use a large amount of electricity when they turn on. This activity can overload a power strip and either trip the circuit breaker or cause dangerous overheating. For this reason, you should always connect devices of this type to a dedicated power outlet.
How sump pumps can cause fire hazards when connected to a power strip
A sump pump is often the last defense for a dry basement in the event of a flood. However, because most power strips are not designed for use in damp or wet environments, they pose hazards when used with a sump pump. Instead, plug a sump pump into a waterproof outlet, and preferably one that is installed some height above the ground , if flooding ever occurs.
More tips on using an extension cord
Discover some useful information below to avoid taking risks when using power strips.
- Does your extension cord have an on/off switch? Then remember to turn it off at night or on days when you are not at home. However, make sure that the connected devices do not need power during this time. This way you reduce the risk of cuts or fires while reducing your energy consumption.
- Get rid of outdated extension cords. Your electrical devices can quickly fall victim to this. If an extension cord appears to be in poor condition or defective, you should replace it immediately.
- Power strips must not be used together. In fact, plugging multiple power strips together is the quickest way to overload your electrical system. This is dangerous and violates most fire safety regulations.
- For the same reason, avoid using extension cords with power strips. If you find that you have no outlets, try unplugging one device before plugging in another. She could also cut the cord and find alternatives to your home appliances.
- Now you know how to use your power strips correctly and avoid any risks that could arise from possible overloading or incorrect use.
