You should never have more than one outlet per wall receptacle serving a power strip. Using a power strip to power high-voltage devices like refrigerators or space heaters. That's a lot of juice running through one power strip.
Don't forget about TVs, lamps, and other household items. All these items plugged into a power strip can put stress on it. Most people probably don't give much thought to how many devices are plugged in at any given time.
Toaster. Here's the clue: It has exposed wires inside those slots that heat up to become red-hot. It takes a lot of current to fire up those wires, which can easily overload a power strip. So, no, do not plug your toaster into an extension cord or power strip.
So make sure you know EVERY outlet that is connected to the same circuit and if there is anything important, like the refrigerator, on that same breaker, you cannot use this fryer on that circuit. Surge protector / outlet strips often have internal breakers in them that are set to trip lower than your house breaker.
We do not recommend connecting a refrigerator or freezer to a surge protector. The reason we do not recommend this is explained below: The compressor is sensitive to temperature and current overloads and will shut itself down with a power surge.
Overloading a power strip can create a fire hazard. Keep all power strips and surge protectors uncovered so that air around it may circulate freely. If a power strip is hot to the touch, unplug and remove it immediately.
Extension cords are only for temporary use and are not to be left plugged into wall outlets when not being actively used. This plugs into a wall outlet and is considered a power strip even though it doesn't have a cord. Do not plug an extension cord or power strip into it.
The most important products to plug into a surge protector are expensive electronic devices with microprocessors. Desktop computers, laptops, televisions, gaming systems, and charging phones should all be plugged into a surge protector, so they aren't damaged in a storm.
The devices and appliances you want to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors into your surge protector. This includes TVs, refrigerators, dishwashers, ranges, AC units, PCs, laptops, game systems, and phones.
While these products are designed for surge protection, they can also be an extreme fire hazard when not in use. That's because surge protectors consume energy even when the devices they're protecting are turned off. You should turn off surge protector when not in use because it could be causing a fire hazard.
A power strip gives you the ability to plug multiple devices into a single wall outlet. A surge protector is a type of power strip which is specifically designed to withstand a power surge and keep your electronics safe.
How Do You Know How Many Things You Can Plug Into One Outlet? As a rule of thumb, it's safest to stick to a maximum load of 1,500 watts per outlet or circuit. The number of things you can plug into one outlet depends on the wattage of each device or appliance you want to plug in.
It's the improper use that can cause safety issues, such as creating a potential electrical failure and/or a possible fire hazard. An example of using power strips unsafely is when they are “daisy chained” together.
Surge protectors are an excellent safety device, but using them incorrectly can make them dangerous.
Use power strips sparingly. They aren't designed to maintain a load for extended periods of time, and can overheat quickly if used too frequently.
Take for instance your smart TV, your laptop computer and your cable box, all these devices use energy when they're off. Incorporating a power strip into your home office or your entertainment centers are pretty easy, just make sure you're on the hunt for a smart power strip!
But bigger or more important items, as well as appliances that require constant power, such as computers, printers, televisions, and refrigerators, should all use surge protectors. Any device that you don't want to lose in the event of a power surge, or that would be expensive to replace, should be protected.
Unplug Appliances
Laptops, freezers, air conditioning units, electric fans, and stoves should be unplugged. If left plugged in, refrigerators and air conditioning units become susceptible to damage from the tidal wave of electricity once power is restored.
Much like your personal computer, should you experience a power surge, you could run the risk of harm coming to your air cleaner. For this reason, keeping your unit plugged into a surge protector could help defend against any unlooked for electrical damage happening to your motor.
Since resistance produces heat, a smaller wire that's carrying too much current will heat up faster. This heat can be strong enough to melt or burn the plastic faceplate, or create a strong burning odor. Worn out wires: If your wires are worn, energy can escape and overheat your outlet through arcing or direct contact.
However, the main difference between the two lies in the purpose: If you want to multiply the number of electrical outlets from a single source, use a power strip. If you want to stretch out a power source towards a distant appliance, use an extension cord.
Turn off the power strips or unplug the power cables for your other electronic devices. You do not need to turn off surge protectors or disconnect devices connected to surge protectors. Power strips provide extra outlet space but do not provide any protection against damage caused by power surges.