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There are increasingly more electrical devices of all kinds in our homes that make our lives easier. However, the number of sockets in a home is not unlimited. In this case, a power strip can be a lifesaver, as it allows you to connect multiple devices at once or act as an extension cord if necessary. However, this practical and inexpensive tool also poses some risks and may not be compatible with certain household appliances that consume too much energy. Here's what you should never plug into a power strip and why.
What are the dangers of a power strip?
When purchasing, it's very important to check the maximum power in watts (W) that the product can handle. Then, you need to compare this maximum power with the power of each device you plan to connect to it. If your devices are too powerful and consume too much energy, they can overheat, and their voltage can rise to dangerous levels. This can damage your appliances, cause a power outage, or even start a fire.
It's worth remembering that no less than 30% of all fires are caused by electrical sources, and power strips are unfortunately not uninvolved. Even if your power strip is supposedly fireproof or has a switch, it can catch fire if used improperly, especially if it's old. Furthermore, these items are often placed in a poorly ventilated and obscured corner (making it difficult to monitor) or near curtains, which increases the risk of fire.
Finally, a damaged product can cause an electric shock when handled.
Which appliances should never be plugged into a power strip?
See next page for more information.
1) Connecting another power strip: The mistake you must not make!
In this configuration, the maximum power is immediately exceeded, increasing the risk of fire and electric shock. Cascading is therefore not recommended.
2) The Refrigerator: Too Greedy
With a consumption of around 200 to 500 kWh per year, the refrigerator, along with the freezer, is one of the most energy-intensive appliances in the home (including small and large household appliances). Considering that it's always plugged in, it poses a certain risk and should therefore have its own wall outlet for optimal safety. If you plug it into a power strip, you'll reach the maximum power of the outlet and therefore won't be able to safely multiply multiple electrical connections. Using such an outlet would then no longer be sensible!
3) Large Household Appliances: Generally Not Ideal
Whether it's a washing machine, oven, or tumble dryer, the average consumption of these appliances is very high. A washing machine, for example, consumes an average of 191 kWh per year, even more depending on the model. Just like with a refrigerator or freezer, it's better to have a dedicated wall outlet to minimize the risk of dangerous overheating. 4) Auxiliary Heater or Electric Heater
Both auxiliary heaters and electric heaters do not belong on a power strip or extension cord. These devices consume too much energy. Furthermore, these devices are not designed to handle the high current flow required to operate such a system. Due to the energy flow, the risk of overheating and fire is very high.
5) The Coffee Maker, Which Can Be Plugged In Elsewhere
Even small household appliances can be very energy-intensive. One example is the coffee maker, which is used several times a day and can overheat.
6) The Microwave
Just like coffee makers, microwaves do not belong on your power strips, as they are also very energy-intensive. This is even more true for appliances with a resource-intensive grill function.
7) The Toaster
Your breakfast and break-time helper may look good, but it also consumes a lot of energy. Therefore, plugging it into one of your power strips and thus increasing the number of connections can be dangerous.
Usually, the use of power strips is only temporary. If you have no other option, at least make sure you comply with power standards and turn them off or unplug them when not in use. Also, remember to place them in a visible corner and away from curtains. And most importantly, replace them when they show signs of wear or are too old (old power strips no longer necessarily meet safety standards). Don't forget to dust the outlets—it's not a luxury! Finally, consider installing a smoke detector and possibly a fire extinguisher so you're prepared in case of an emergency.
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