If you live in an older home with a shortage of wall outlets or simply need more power to accommodate all your electronic devices, chances are you’ve turned to a power strip at some point. Power strips are a popular and convenient solution for adding extra sockets, but it’s crucial to be aware of the items that should never be connected to them. While power strips are great for low-powered gadgets, they do have limitations when it comes to the amount of wattage and amperage they can handle. Going beyond these limits can result in overheating and pose a serious fire risk.
According to the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA), electrical issues, including those related to power strips, are responsible for nearly 51,000 home fires each year. Therefore, it is imperative to use power strips correctly to ensure safety.
**Understanding Power Strips**
A power strip is a device that contains multiple electrical outlets connected to a cable that plugs into a wall outlet. It’s important to note that power strips do not increase the electrical capacity of a wall outlet; instead, they divide it. Consequently, high-wattage appliances and devices should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet to prevent overloading the power strip.
Entergy advises that a standard 15-amp power strip can support up to 1,800 watts of power. Anything exceeding this limit can overwhelm the power strip, potentially causing it to overheat and pose a fire hazard. To determine the wattage capacity of a power strip, look for the labeled rating on the device itself, typically located on the back or underside near the connection point of the power cord.
**Items to Avoid Plugging Into Power Strips**
– Refrigerators
– Microwaves
– Coffee Makers
– Toasters and Toaster Ovens
– Slow Cookers
– Blenders
– Space Heaters
– Air Conditioners
– Washing Machines
– Sump Pumps
– Hair Dryers
– Curling Irons and Flat Irons
– Air Compressors
– Power Tools
– Gaming Consoles and Computers
**Safe Items for Power Strip Use**
Low-wattage devices such as computers, televisions, lamps, and phone chargers are suitable for use with power strips.
**Safety Tips for Power Strips**
– **Location**: Avoid using power strips in wet areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, as they are not designed to withstand moisture.
– **Daisy Chaining**: Connecting multiple power strips or extension cords together, known as “daisy chaining,” is not recommended by the National Fire Protection Association. Each power strip should be plugged directly into a fixed wall outlet.
– **Surge Protection**: Consider investing in a surge protector rather than a standard power strip, as surge protectors provide additional outlets while safeguarding your appliances against lightning strikes and voltage spikes.
**Recognizing Overloaded Power
