5 Things to Avoid While Using Power Strips

You might be living in a house with multiple floors, or a huge apartment, but you probably don’t have enough power sockets. In the era of technology, everyone lacks an additional outlet to accommodate all their appliances. That is why we look for alternatives, and the common one is using a power strip.

It may be a flat cord power strip or any other type, but the purpose remains the same. It provides you with additional sockets so that all your electronic products can work simultaneously.

We agree that power strips are extremely useful. But since they work with electricity, it is vital to ensure everything functions flawlessly. Unfortunately, people often take using these strips for granted. That is why we gathered a list of five things you should avoid while using them. Take a look at them below, and make sure to follow them to minimize the risk of using power strips.

Never Overload Your Power Strip

Each strip can only handle a specific amperage, and it is essential not to overload it. For example, let’s say that you have a 20 amp power strip. You should never plug-in devices whose total amperage goes above that limit. It is a safety hazard that can lead to fires, which is something you want to avoid. Having all your appliances active is not worth endangering the entire household. Keep in mind that some devices may not be suitable for the strips.

Additionally, overloading a strip can destroy your devices. The risk of problems occurring is high, and a sudden surge of power can cause the permanent failure of your appliances. That can be a significant hit on your budget, especially since some of those products may be beyond repair.

If you have many electronic products that you should fit on a single strip, make sure to go with a 50 Amp power strip. It is one of the most generous capacities on the market, and it should be capable of meeting the requirements.

Never Use Multiple Power Strips in a Single Outlet

Imagine this scenario – you have a computer, TV, and five other electronic devices in the same room. It sounds tempting to get all the cables in a single position, which is why you may consider using multiple power strips in a single socket.

If you pull this idea off, you will notice that it doesn’t even look aesthetically pleasing. It would be obvious that you improvised, and it will hardly fit any décor. But it’s not aesthetics you should worry about because this setting compromises your safety.

We already discussed the amperage and the fact that you shouldn’t burden any strip or socket beyond their capabilities. Let’s say that you enter a 30amp power strip into the electrical outlet, and then mount a 40Amp strip on top of the existing one. You might think that you get a 70Amp capacity, but that is wrong.

The truth is you will be burdening the 30Amp unit with an amperage that goes beyond its capabilities. As we already established, that is a huge safety risk, and it becomes even larger if you use multiple strips.

Furthermore, imagine if someone passed by and kicked the entire setting accidentally. The least that could happen is that one or more devices stop working, but that is also a safety hazard and risk of product failure.

Avoid Making a Mess

We suggest keeping things neat and under control. First of all, it’s never nice to see a cable mess when you enter a room, and that is no way to impress your guests. Additionally, a messy setting can cause the same dangers as overloading, and cause issues in the functioning of the power strip, and the appliances.

Now, there is another mistake that people who want to keep things too neat make. Many homeowners don’t like to see cables lying on the floor, which is why they put them under rugs or carpets. That is wrong because the household members will probably step on the cord frequently.

Power cables are quite durable, but if you step on them enough times, they can get damaged. That can compromise their performance, and cause a safety risk. Additionally, the bumps in the carpet may cause you to lose balance and fall on the floor. Fortunately, it doesn’t take more than a couple of minutes to ensure the cable goes close to the wall to the strip or outlet.

Power Strips Should Never Get in Touch with Water

This one is quite simple, and you are probably aware of it. Electricity shouldn’t get in touch with water because it causes short circuits, fires, and electrocutions. It is the biggest hazard because stepping into a puddle that is in touch with a powered cable can electrocute you. And real life is not a cartoon, which means that it could have serious consequences.

Additionally, we should mention that indoor strips should only be used inside, and you should not take them outdoors. These items are not ready to handle snow, rain, or winds, and that is not safe. It is why you should stick to a product that suits your needs. Think whether you need an indoor or outdoor, or a right angle power strip, and choose based on your requirements.

Make Sure You Are Using Compatible Receptacles

One of the common mistakes people make is that they are trying to use the wrong receptacle for their device. If the cord of your appliance doesn’t go into the strip or socket smoothly, the chances are it’s not compatible. In those cases, you shouldn’t force things. You may even find a way to get the plug inside, but it will be a huge safety risk.

You also shouldn’t force getting the cord out of the strip. Furthermore, the only acceptable way of pulling the cable is by the plug. It may be more convenient to pull the entire cord, but you may destroy the insulation, which means wires could be left exposed. That means you will need to replace the cord as soon as possible, and that is an unnecessary hit on your budget.