When we think back to earlier times, one of the first ideas that comes to mind is how people managed to live without electricity. Today, it’s almost impossible to imagine a single day without it, since all of our appliances and devices depend on electrical power.
Electronics & Electrical
The reality, however, is that many homes don’t have enough wall outlets to run and charge everything, which is why most people depend on power strips without realizing that high-energy appliances can turn into serious fire hazards when connected to them.
Although power strips are commonly used for charging phones or running entertainment setups, there are still certain devices that should never be connected to one.
Air conditioners, space heaters, toasters, and other high-wattage appliances can cause power strips to overheat very quickly, which may easily result in a fire risk.
Even before plugging anything into a power strip, you should check how much power it can handle. This information is usually printed on the device itself.
Appliances
High-power appliances require a large amount of electricity to operate through an electrical circuit. It’s important to remember that size does not always reflect power usage. Below is a list of appliances that should never be connected to a power strip.
The oven: Even though it is not used constantly, an oven is still a high-power appliance that should never be plugged into a power strip. It should always have its own dedicated wall outlet and circuit.
Electronic Components
Refrigerator: Refrigerators consume significant electricity and cycle on and off regularly, which can overload a power strip and cause damage. Like ovens, they require a dedicated wall outlet.
Washing Machine: When operating, washing machines draw a large amount of power. This is why they should not share a socket with other devices or appliances.
Electronics & Electrical
Most washing machines can reach up to around 1400 watts, which is close to the maximum load of many power strips. Additionally, they often run for long periods while unattended, giving enough time for overheating to occur.
Heating: Portable heaters should never be plugged into a power strip because many of them use up to 1,500 watts on high settings and often run continuously for long durations.
Microwave: Since they require a large amount of power during operation, most microwave ovens are connected directly to their own wall outlet, which is always the safer choice.
Coffee Maker: Many people underestimate the energy use of coffee makers, which is why they should never be connected to a power strip or extension cord.
Toaster: Toasting bread or bagels may seem low-energy, but toasters actually draw a significant amount of power and should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
Another Power Strip: Power strips are not designed to be connected to one another, yet this is a common mistake. Doing so breaks most safety guidelines and can easily overload the electrical system.
Electronics (Computer, TV, Router): These devices don’t use a large amount of power individually, but they are highly sensitive to power surges and can be damaged quickly if improperly connected.
To protect these sensitive electronics from electrical surges, it’s best to use a power strip that includes surge protection.
