According to the US National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), products that generate heat, such as hair dryers, space heaters, toasters or crock pots, should always be plugged directly into the electrical outlet. They pull too much power to safely use with a power strip or extension cord.
What can you not plug into an extension cord?
Rule two: never plug high power capacity appliances, like space heaters, refrigerators, or microwave and toaster ovens into power strips or extension cords. These appliances have higher power capacity and need to be plugged into a wall outlet directly. Rule number three: always plug power strips directly into the wall.
Can you plug anything into an extension cord?
Can You Plug Extension Cords Into Another Extension Cord? Again, technically you can, but it’s not recommended, as it’s considered a fire hazard. And it’s also against OSHA and NEC regulations.
What can you use an extension cord for?
Extension cords provide power for devices with cables that can’t reach any nearby electrical outlets. Choosing the right type of extension cord is important to ensure electrical safety and prevent home fires.
Can I plug my TV into an extension cord?
It is safe to plug a TV into an extension cord. Extension cords are only dangerous when you overload them by using them to operate powerful appliances like refrigerators. A television set will overload an extension cord if the extension cord is already running other heavy-duty items.
Can I plug my TV into a 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.A power strip and surge protector power strip look pretty much the same. They’re both skinny, rectangular, plastic boxes with multiple outlets for you to plug in multiple devices.
Can I plug a refrigerator into an extension cord?
Using a grounded extension cord with a three-prong plug is always the best choice for major appliances including refrigerators.Extension cords with a lower gauge numberlike 10 or 12 gaugesare considered heavy-duty cords because they have a higher capacity to deliver power.
Is it safe to daisy chain extension cords?
It may be tempting to just string them together, but resist the temptation. Extending the length of an extension cord by daisy-chaining can lead to overheating the cord by overloading it, creating a serious fire hazard.
Can you plug a freezer into an extension cord?
Grounded Extension Cord for Freezer
The power cord on a freezer or refrigerator has a ground pin, so you need a UL® listed 3-wire grounding appliance extension cord, and you must plug the cord into a grounded three-pin receptacle.Never use a damaged extension cord.
Can I plug a power strip into a heavy duty extension cord?
It is o.k. temporarily to plug an extension cord to a power strip, but never a power strip to an extension cord. Also, do not connect multiple extension cords together. And rule number four: don’t use indoor power strips outdoors. If the power strip gets damaged by rain or snow, it can damage anything plugged into it.
Can I use an extension cord with a hair dryer?
Using resources from the National Electric Code, they’ve de-mystified the process of choosing sufficient cords around your home. As a general rule, anything that provides heat, like a hair dryer or space heater needs a ton of power. Usually, it’s not safe to plug those into an extension cord at all.
Can I plug a hair dryer into an extension cord?
Is It Safe To Plug A Dryer Into An Extension Cord? It is not safe. Dryers draw a lot of electricity. If your extension cord is too long, and if the wires are too thin, the extension cord will overheat.
Can you use an extension cord with a dryer?
An extension cord is a temporary connection device…. you CAN NOT run your dryer on an extension cord. No you can’t use an extension cord. They are for temporary use only not a substitute for building wiring. You also do not have 220 volts or 110 volts.
Can I plug my Xbox into an extension cord?
It is okay to plug an Xbox into an extension cord if you use healthy extension cords that do not have cracks, tears and burn marks, replacing old and worn-out extension cords, keeping the extension cord in question in the open as opposed to hiding it under a carpet.Wall outlets have the same problem.
Can you plug an iron into an extension cord?
Light-duty extension cords are those that resemble lamp wire cord. These cords should never be used with anything other than very light-duty devices. They are especially dangerous to use with space heaters and other heat-generating appliances, such as toasters or clothes irons, which draw heavy electrical loads.
Can you put an extension cord behind a wall?
Extension cords are not designed or made for use inside a wall or ceiling, not even heavy-duty types, due to National Electrical Code restrictions, as listed above, specifically regarding the non-use of flexible cords cable.
Can you plug a toaster into an extension cord?
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. Ditto for your toaster oven.
What should you never plug into a power strip?
10 Things Never to Plug into a Power Strip
- Refrigerators and Freezers. 1/11.
- Microwaves. 2/11.
- Coffee Makers. 3/11.
- Toasters. 4/11.
- Slow Cookers and Hot Plates. 5/11.
- Hair-Care Appliances. 6/11.
- Portable Heaters and Air Conditioners. 7/11.
- Sump Pumps. 8/11.
What is the difference between an extension cord and a power strip?
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.
Can I plug washing machine into extension cord?
Washing machines draw a large amount of electrical current to operate. Most user manuals will indicate that using an extension cord for a large appliance such as a washing machine is not advisable. Generally speaking, using an extension cord for your washing machine should be avoided.
Can you use an extension cord with a window AC unit?
First and foremost: do not connect your air-conditioner window unit to an extension cord.There are heavy-duty extension cords that are specifically designed for major appliances like air-conditioners. These should be shorter cords with lower gauges (12 or 14 gauge) and higher amp ratings.
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