From curling irons to coffee makers, it’s tempting to plug just about everything into your power strip. But not all devices are meant to share that space. In fact, plugging the wrong items into a power strip can quietly overload your system and increase the risk of damage or even fire. Before you add one more cord, here’s what you need to know.
Power Strips vs. Surge Protectors: What’s the Difference?
Power strips are simply electrical outlets attached to a cord. They plug into a wall outlet to give you more places to plug things in.
Surge protectors, on the other hand, are power strips with a built-in safety feature. If there’s a sudden spike in electricity — such as during a lightning storm or a brief power fluctuation — they redirect excess voltage away from your devices to help prevent damage.
While surge protectors add a layer of protection, neither power strips nor surge protectors are designed to handle high-wattage appliances.
What Happens When You Overload a Power Strip?
Every device pulls a certain amount of electricity. When the combined demand of everything plugged into a power strip exceeds what it’s rated for, a power strip can overload. That overload can cause:
- Overheating
- Melted wiring or outlets
- Sparks
- Electrical fires
- Permanent damage to appliances
Most household power strips are rated for 15 amps at 120 volts, which equals 1,800 watts total. You can usually find this information printed on the strip’s label. Before plugging in any device, make sure its wattage keeps the total below this limit. As you add more devices, keep a running total to avoid exceeding the strip’s capacity.
Avoid Plugging in These Items
Just because a plug fits in a power strip doesn’t mean it belongs there. The items below use a lot of electricity — often in sudden bursts — which can overload a power strip and create serious safety risks.
1. Air Conditioners: Air conditioners cycle on and off, creating power spikes. Their continuous high electrical draw can overheat a power strip and melt internal wiring.
2. Air Fryers: Air fryers use short bursts of extremely high wattage. These surges can overwhelm a power strip and damage both the strip and your appliance.
3. Blenders: Blenders have powerful motors that draw a high amount of wattage, especially at startup—far more than a power strip can safely handle.
4. Curling Irons & Flat Irons: Hair styling tools heat quickly and often draw over 1,500 watts, pushing most power strips to their limit.
5. Coffee Makers: Coffee makers rely on heating elements that require intense bursts of power, increasing the risk of overheating or electrical damage.
6. Dehumidifiers: Like air conditioners, dehumidifiers use compressors that cycle on and off, causing power surges and sustained electrical loads.
7. Electric Blankets: These blankets contain heating elements that draw significant wattage for long periods, making them unsafe for power strips.
8. Extension Cords: Never plug an extension cord into a power strip. This practice, known as daisy chaining, is a well-known fire hazard.
9. Hair Dryers: Hair dryers frequently pull 1,500 watts or more, making them one of the most common causes of overloaded strips.
10. Microwaves: Microwaves draw between 1,000 and 1,500 watts and use powerful motors, which far exceeds what a standard power strip can handle.
11. Power Tools: Table saws, circular saws, chop saws, and air compressors all have high startup amperage surges that can overload a strip instantly.
12. Refrigerators: Refrigerators use compressors that cycle repeatedly, pulling a high current each time they start — something power strips aren’t built for.
13. Space Heaters: Drawing around 1,500 watts, space heaters push power strips to their absolute limit. Their constant cycling makes them especially dangerous.
14. Toaster Ovens: With powerful heating elements and rapid bursts of high wattage, toaster ovens should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet.
15. Washing Machines & Dryers: These appliances require high-current loads and, in many cases, 240-volt outlets. Power strips are never appropriate for them.
Warning Signs Your Power Strip Is Overloaded
Power strips don’t always fail dramatically. Often, they give subtle warning signs first. Knowing what to look for can help you catch a problem early and prevent damage or fire risk.
- The strip feels warm or hot to the touch
- The circuit breaker trips frequently
- Devices shut off unexpectedly
If you notice any of these signs, unplug devices immediately and move high-powered items to a wall outlet.
The Safer Rule of Thumb
If an appliance:
- Produces heat
- Has a motor
- Uses a compressor
- Or draws a lot of power
…it belongs directly in a wall outlet, not a power strip.
Finally, make sure to fully protect your home with the right insurance. If despite your best efforts to follow all the safety rules, a fire was to happen, your policy can provide added peace of mind.
This article is furnished by California Casualty, providing auto and home insurance to educators, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and nurses. Get a quote at 1.866.704.8614 or www.calcas.com.
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