A power strip is frequently the go-to solution for getting power to all of electrical devices. In this article, FittingChairs will go over how many things can you plug into a power strip and discuss a few things you should never plug into a power strip to avoid learning a costly lesson.
How Many Devices Can I Plug Into A Power Strip?
These delicate electronic devices play an important role in our daily lives, if one of these devices fails, we are unable to do our jobs or communicate.
Knowing how to power the electric devices is critical, and a power strip is frequently the go-to solution for getting power to them all.
But, how many devices can you connect to a power strip? Can you plug too many things into a power strip?
It doesn’t matter how many devices you can plug into a single power strip, in other words, it’s not always clear what you should do with the power cables that connect your home’s various devices.
This could be because what matters is how much electrical current each device draws.
Each power strip is rated for a specific amount of electrical load, and exceeding that load can result in a variety of issues. Electrical services and common sense, well, common sense isn’t so common.
However, as a general rule, you should not connect more devices to a power strip. This doesn’t mean that one power strip outlet and one device. This doesn’t also imply that you can simply plug anything into a power strip.
Keep in mind, some electronics and devices should never be plugged into a power strip.
Other electronic devices require a surge protector with a circuit breaker between them and the power outlets, lest a power surge destroy critical equipment.
A large lightning strike struck near my apartment, destroying my cable modem, router, external hard drive, and everything else connected to that power strip.
It’s critical to understand what you should and should not plug into a power strip, so read on.
What Things Can I Plug Into A Power Strip?
Power strips are useful devices that work best when you need to turn on or off multiple items at once. So, it’s an ideal solution for turning on your room’s lighting and your electric standing desk.
These are devices without complex or delicate electronic hardware.
Other items, such as your smartphone, phone chargers, tablet chargers, monitors, and other computer devices, should be protected by a surge protector power strip.
If you are interested in, refer this guide on how to stay safe while during working from home.
What Things Should I Never Plug Into A Power Strip?
What should you never plug into a power strip? Well, some things simply should not be plugged into a power strip.
Here are a couple of examples:
Never Plug Your Computer Into A Power Strip That Is Not Also A Surge Protector
If you don’t already know this, it could be one of the most cost-effective lessons you learn about how to run your home office.
A power strip will allow you to power multiple devices from a single wall outlet and turn off and on multiple connected devices at the same time.
A surge protector is a type of power strip that is specifically designed to withstand a power surge and keep all of the electronic devices plugged into it safe.
If you use a cheap power strip to power your computer and there is a power surge, you could quickly lose very expensive equipment as well as anything else connected to that power strip.
Never Plug A Refrigerator Or Freezer Into A Power Strip
A refrigerator consumes roughly one-third the power of a standard light bulb. An air conditioner consumes even more.
These appliances consume a lot of power, which can easily overload a power strip and blow the fuse. So, don ‘t plug a refrigerator or freezer full of spoiled food into a power strip.
Never Plug A Microwave Into A Power Strip
Microwave oven is extremely convenient for quickly and easily heating food or beverages. However, it can consume an enormous amount of power, which is more than a power strip can handle.
Never Plug Kitchen Appliances Into A Power Strip
Plugging a microwave or refrigerator into a power strip is a bad idea, and most kitchen appliances are the same.
For example, coffee makers, toaster ovens, Instapots, and slow cookers all draw too much current to be used with a power strip.
Never Plug Grooming & Beauty Tools Into a Power Strip
Hair dryers, curling wands, and irons consume a lot of power, which is insufficient for a power strip. These should be plugged into an available wall outlet.
Never Plug Portable AC Units Or Space Heaters Into A Power Strip
Because air conditioners and refrigerators consume a lot of power, they should not be plugged into a power strip.
It also works for plugging a space heater into a power strip during the cold months. It simply requires more power than a power strip can provide.
Never Plug One Power Strip Into Another Power Strip
Power strips are not designed to be daisy-chained together, so do not connect one to another. Your electrical outlets are only designed to carry a certain amount of electrical load.
This simply because you can connect several different power strips and plug them into a single outlet doesn’t mean you should. You should not do so unless you want to be visited by your friendly neighborhood fire department.
The same principle applies when using an extension cord to power a power strip.
Can You Plug Too Many Things Into A Power Strip?
Yes, there is such a thing as overloading a power strip. This is known as overloading, and it can cause circuit breakers in your electrical panel to trip, or worse.
Before plugging a device into a power strip, make sure you understand how much power it requires to function properly.
Whether you live in a house, apartment, or any space, after knowing how many things can you plug into a power strip, FittingChairs make sure you will use a power strip device safely comes in handy.