Today, we rely on our outlets more than ever before. Between our phones, tablets, smartwatches, smart plugs, and other high-tech devices, most households own at least one power strip, if not more. Power strips can help provide the plugins you need to power your different devices without having to unplug and replug certain items due to a lack of outlets.
While power strips are useful, they are not designed to handle all of your energy needs. When it comes to your power strip, certain items should never be plugged into it.
Appliances
Before you plug anything into a power strip, you should consider how much power that item needs. Anything that requires a major energy pull is best left plugged directly into the wall. This includes major appliances, such as your refrigerator or freezer. These appliances pull a lot of currents because they are continuously cycling on and off. Plugging a major appliance into a power strip can cause an overload. It is best to plug in one major appliance per outlet to avoid tripping a breaker.
Smaller appliances, such as a microwave, coffee maker, or toaster, should not be plugged into a power strip. While these devices are smaller, they still require a large pull of energy within a short amount of time to provide the power needed to operate appropriately.
Hot Tools for Hair Styling
Bathrooms are notorious for not providing many outlet options. For a person who utilizes a hairdryer, hair straightener, or curling wand, a power strip can seem like an obvious solution for your power needs. However, these tools do require an ample amount of energy to get to and maintain the desired temperature.
What Is the Best Solution?
It is common for older homes to lack the outlets necessary to power today’s high-tech world. If you find yourself relying on power strips too often, your best solution could be the installation of additional outlets. The professionals at Nipper Electric can help you explore the best options for your power needs. Contact us to learn more.
