When there aren’t enough plugs in a typical wall socket to power all of our electrical equipment and gadgets, power strips are a popular fix.

Some of these gadgets use excessive amounts of electricity and should never be connected into a power strip, even if they can power entertainment systems or charge smartphones.

When combined with high-wattage equipment like air conditioners, space heaters, and toasters, overheating power strips can cause a fire.

Furthermore, due of the risk of damage, you should avoid using an indoor power strip in a wet area like the kitchen or laundry room.

Make sure the gadgets you connect into a power strip don’t draw more power than they are supposed to—the maximum wattage is indicated on the label of each item.

Regardless of where you use a power strip, this guideline is applicable.

Most power strips are rated at 15 amps, which means they can handle 1,800 watts.

Look for a 20-amp power strip that can handle loads of up to 2,400 watts if you need more power than that.

1.Cooling units

Appliances like refrigerators that use a lot of electricity and are often cycled can easily overwhelm a power strip. It is advised to connect these devices to a power outlet made especially for that purpose. If you try to plug more than one device into the same outlet, you run the risk of shorting out the circuit.

2.Microwaves

Because it cooks, thaws, and reheats food far faster than a conventional oven, the microwave is a culinary miracle. But a power strip isn’t going to be enough to power all that amazing stuff. Just as with a regular electric oven, the microwave needs its own electrical outlet.

3.Coffee Stations

Most coffee makers need a large amount of amperage to turn those roasted beans into a hot beverage, which may seem like a lot of energy for something as seemingly innocent as your daily cup of coffee. A half made pot of coffee is not something you want to wake up to, so ensure sure your coffee maker is plugged straight into an outlet.

4.Range hoods for kitchens

To toast bread, a toaster’s interior is essentially just a network of wires that are heated to extremely high temperatures. This is evident to everyone who has ever peered inside to get rid of a stubborn piece of crust. These cables’ high current demand might cause a power strip to overheat quickly. The same issue affects waffle machines, toaster ovens, and electric skillets.

5.Sluggish Cookers

You might think you’re a genius when you connect your slow cooker to a power strip so you can move other appliances off your countertop, but you’re not. These kitchen appliances require more power than a typical power strip can supply over an extended period of time. Since the slow cooker’s primary selling point is its capacity to cook meals slowly and without the need for human interaction, make sure it is also firmly attached to a wall outlet to prevent any possible hazards.

6.Appliances for Hair Care

Your hair dryers, curling wands, and flat irons draw a significant amount of power. A styling item that employs heat should never be plugged directly into an electrical outlet for safety concerns. Use a GFCI outlet if at all feasible to reduce the possibility of water damage, which is a common issue in restrooms. By doing this, the circuit breaker won’t trip.

7.Air Purifiers

When switched on, portable air conditioners consume a substantial amount of current, much like heaters. Their designs are comparable. By doing this, you run the danger of a power strip overheating or triggering the circuit breaker. For this reason, these gadgets must always be plugged into a certain outlet to function.

8.Sump Pumps

A sump pump is often the last line of defense to keep the space dry in times of basement flooding. Because power strips aren’t designed to withstand dampness, you can’t use them with sump pumps. On the other hand, if flooding occurs in your basement, you should use a sump pump connected to a GFCI outlet a few feet above the floor.

9.Compressors for Air

For do-it-yourselfers who don’t mind getting their hands filthy, portable air compressors are helpful equipment even if they require a lot of electricity when they’re operating. Use a robust extension cord rather than overtaxing a power strip to get the most out of your air equipment.

10.One more power strip

Using two power strips at the same time is not advised. Actually, “daisy-chaining,” or connecting multiple power strips in series, is prohibited by most fire safety regulations since it may quickly overload your electrical system. In a similar vein, using extension cables with power strips is not advised. If your household electronics run out of power, you have two options: cut the connection or locate replacements that operate without electricity. Disconnecting one device before putting in another is another.

11.Juicers

It is not safe to plug any appliance, no matter how little, into a power strip. Among many others, Ninja and Vitamix blenders boast strong engines that can cut through harder ingredients. Because they may use up to 1500 watts, they are therefore similar in power consumption as toasters, air conditioners, and space heaters. Since liquefying food is a blender’s primary purpose, there’s also a chance that the power strip may get wet and the device could short out. When using a kitchen GFCI outlet, be sure the blender is plugged in.

12.Machine for Washing

Most washing machines have a maximum power usage of 1400 watts, which is quite close to the maximum load capacity of most power strips. Because individuals frequently leave their washing machines unattended while they wash clothes, overheating power strips are a regular problem with them. It might take up to an hour to complete some cycles. Connect the washing machine directly to the wall socket rather than using a power strip.

13.Transportable Heaters

The majority of portable heaters have a 1,500 watt power consumption on high and may run for extended periods of time when connected to power strips, which makes them very dangerous. The majority of portable heaters have safety mechanisms that automatically shut them off when they become too hot, but this won’t prevent the power strip from overheating and perhaps catching fire.

14.Strong Tools

In the workshop, power strips are a safe method to operate power tools, but any old power strip won’t do. All you need is a 220 volt power strip with grounded outlets. In order to prevent the power strip from overheating when large loads are applied, thicker, 14-gauge wire should be used to connect the strip to the plug. The proper power strip with a higher wattage rating is essential for using electric tools such as table saws, circular saws, and chop saws.

15.Gaming Devices

Using a power strip for your gaming system is okay, but you should exercise caution when plugging in too many parts at once. Your gaming PC will probably need 500 watts of electricity, but you should also think about connecting a monitor, speakers, lighting, and any other peripherals that you might need. To find out how much current you will be using, look at the tags on each gadget and the power strip’s wattage rating. A multi-use power strip is the best option if you’re concerned about protecting these fragile gadgets from power spikes.

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