15 Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip

15 Things You Should Never Things You Should Never Plug Into a Power Strip Plug Into a Power Strip

1. Refrigerators 1. Refrigerators Large appliances like refrigerators require a lot of power and frequently cycle on and off, which can easily overload a power strip . These devices should be plugged directly into a wall outlet that’s dedicated solely to powering the appliance. Large appliances like refrigerators require a lot of power and frequently cycle on and off, which can easily overload a power strip . These devices should be plugged directly into a wall outlet that’s dedicated solely to powering the appliance.

2. Microwaves 2. Microwaves Like a conventional electric oven, the microwave should have its own dedicated power outlet. Like a conventional electric oven, the microwave should have its own dedicated power outlet.

3. Coffee Makers 3. Coffee Makers Plug your coffee maker directly into an outlet or you run the risk of waking up to a half-brewed pot of coffee. Plug your coffee maker directly into an outlet or you run the risk of waking up to a half-brewed pot of coffee.

4. Toasters 4. Toasters The current draw that toaster wires require can easily cause a power strip to overheat. The current draw that toaster wires require can easily cause a power strip to overheat.

5. Slow Cookers 5. Slow Cookers These cooking appliances require more juice over a longer period of time than a power strip can handle. These cooking appliances require more juice over a longer period of time than a power strip can handle.

6. Hair-Care Appliances 6. Hair-Care Appliances To prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, any hairdressing accessory that operates with heat should be plugged directly into a wall outlet—preferably a GFCI outlet . To prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, any hairdressing accessory that operates with heat should be plugged directly into a wall outlet—preferably a GFCI outlet .

7. Air Conditioners 7. Air Conditioners Like heaters, portable air conditioners are designed to cycle on and off, and they draw a large amount of current when they switch on. These appliances should always be plugged into a dedicated outlet. Like heaters, portable air conditioners are designed to cycle on and off, and they draw a large amount of current when they switch on. These appliances should always be plugged into a dedicated outlet.

8. Sump Pumps 8. Sump Pumps Instead, plug a sump pump into a GFCI outlet, preferably one installed a few feet above the floor, in case your basement space floods. Instead, plug a sump pump into a GFCI outlet, preferably one installed a few feet above the floor, in case your basement space floods.

9. Air Compressors 9. Air Compressors Rather than overloading a power strip, use a heavy-duty extension cord to get the maximum use and benefit from your air tools. Rather than overloading a power strip, use a heavy-duty extension cord to get the maximum use and benefit from your air tools.

10. Another Power Strip 10. Another Power Strip Plugging multiple power strips together, which is known as “daisy-chaining,” violates most fire safety codes and can quickly overload your electrical system. Plugging multiple power strips together, which is known as “daisy-chaining,” violates most fire safety codes and can quickly overload your electrical system.

11. Blenders 11. Blenders Since the purpose of a blender is to liquify foods, there’s also the danger of getting liquid on the power strip, which could cause it to short circuit. Since the purpose of a blender is to liquify foods, there’s also the danger of getting liquid on the power strip, which could cause it to short circuit.

12. Washing Machine 12. Washing Machine Instead of using a power strip, plug that washing machine directly into its intended wall outlet. Instead of using a power strip, plug that washing machine directly into its intended wall outlet.

13. Portable Heaters 13. Portable Heaters While portable heaters have built-in safeties that shut the unit off if it begins to overheat, it won’t prevent the power strip from overheating and potentially causing a fire. While portable heaters have built-in safeties that shut the unit off if it begins to overheat, it won’t prevent the power strip from overheating and potentially causing a fire.

14. Power Tools 14. Power Tools You can safely use a power strip for power tools in your workshop, but not any old power strip will do. Make sure you use a 220-volt power strip that’s equipped with grounded outlets. You can safely use a power strip for power tools in your workshop, but not any old power strip will do. Make sure you use a 220-volt power strip that’s equipped with grounded outlets.

15. Gaming Equipment 15. Gaming Equipment Since you’ll want to protect these sensitive devices from power surges, go with a power strip that functions as a surge protector . Since you’ll want to protect these sensitive devices from power surges, go with a power strip that functions as a surge protector .

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