7 Things to Never Plug into a Power Strip (+ 7 Things You Can)
Time to discuss one of the most essential (and possibly mostly misunderstood!) devices in your home—the power strip.
As the number of devices we integrate into our daily lives keeps rising, running short of ways to feed them is common. Believe it or not, the average number of plugged-in gadgets in a US household has gone up to 25! And that figure is a few years old.
The easy fix to the connectivity problem is a power strip.
What it does is it helps to connect multiple devices through a single wall outlet—super convenient indeed. Unfortunately, the convenience often makes us disregard the safety aspects of using power strips.
How safe a power strip is depends on its make and how you use it.
So let’s examine power strips in more detail and answer some common questions about the devices that can be used with them.
How Do Power Strips Work?

A typical power strip comes with a long connecting wire that connects to the strip’s control unit. This unit has an on/off switch and an LED indicator light. The connection extends to the strip’s sockets.
But here’s the most important part.
Every power strip has a specified wattage and a typical 120-volt power strip can have a capacity between 12 and 15 amps. The easiest way to figure out the wattage is to multiply the voltage (volts) by the amperage (amps).
For instance, a power strip rated 15 amps at 250 volts can handle 3,750 watts.
You need to read the label of the power strip before using it to reduce the risks of the device overloading. That can easily lead to overheating, which in turn makes the risk of electrocution and fire shoot through the roof. All because of the unassuming power strip!
Now, if you’re wondering how many things you can plug into a power strip, the answer depends on its rated capacity. Find the combined wattage of the devices you’ve connected and check it against the strip’s total capacity.
Overstepping the rated capacity should be an absolute no-no. In fact, even using it to its full capacity is risky! It’s a good idea to stay within 80% of the power strip’s maximum capacity. So, even if the strip has eight outlets, you shouldn’t use more than five.
Quite simply, the total wattage of ALL connected devices should never go over the rated wattage of the power strip. That’s why some devices come with a circuit breaker to cut off the supply if the device is overloaded.
So What Happens If You Overload?
Will your power strip spontaneously burst into flame from overloading?
Not likely. In most cases, the damage will happen slowly over time. It means a dangerous situation may happen when you least need or expect it.
What causes overloading in most cases is heavier appliances like refrigerators, heaters, or microwaves. Avoid connecting multiple high-energy-consuming devices with a single strip—spread them out instead. Or else, choose a power strip with overload protection.
Also, plugging one power strip into another—“daisy chaining” as it’s often called—is a dangerous practice and can cause a short circuit.
How about plugging an extension cord into a power strip?
Not a good idea. In fact, it’s akin to daisy chaining. When two random circuits meet, it’s not always a happy ending. Even if you’re using a power strip with an in-built surge protector, the extension cord can affect the surge protector’s effectiveness and still cause a problem, big time.
In any case, if you constantly need to use multiple power strips in your home, it should tell you one thing. Your home does not have a sufficient number of wall outlets.
Like me, if you are guilty of keeping devices plugged in at all times, using a smart power strip is a great idea. The reason is devices that are energy vampires—the types that a stake through the heart won’t kill! Nor make them less hungry for that matter.
These devices keep drawing energy even when they are turned off, but still plugged into the power strip. Some examples are a TV, a media player, a microwave with a clock, or a phone charger. Smart power strips can monitor devices and cut off the power supply when they are not in use. And that can save you a lot on power bills annually.
Power Strip vs. Surge Protector
Before we move ahead, let’s discuss another important subject—the difference between surge protectors and power strips.
It’s easy to get confused as these two devices look similar. But, not all power strips function as surge protectors, and going with the wrong thing can be damaging to your home electronics.
A surge is the excess flow of electricity in the power lines and can damage devices. While both devices are wall-mounted, a surge protector defends the devices connected downstream against such spikes. This is possible through devices like a metal oxide varistor (MOV) that gobbles up the surplus voltage.
Power strips simply offer multiple outlets for connecting several devices to a power source. However, robust power strips come with in-built surge protectors. They are pricier but the price doesn’t come without good grounds (pun intended). Especially if your location experiences frequent voltage spikes or lightning strikes!
7 Devices You Shouldn’t Plug Into a Power Strip

1. Fridge
Your fridge and a power strip are a singularly bad combo. Simply put: refrigerators require, nay demand, a dedicated electrical circuit.
A standard refrigerator draws less than 8 amps while running. But the starting or in-rush amperage is much higher. It can be as high as 12 to 15 amps in larger refrigerators.
This can be beyond the capacity of most power strips, especially one hooked up with other devices as well. If connected, the refrigerator will not function properly and can even get damaged.
Likewise, devices like compressors and air conditioners draw a high current during start-up. So, plug them into a “normal” outlet and not a power strip.
2. Microwave
Despite its modest looks, the microwave is a heavy-duty appliance. That’s why it’s best run on a dedicated circuit. Most manufacturers recommend that microwaves should be operated through a 15 amp or 20 amp grounded wall outlet.
While a typical microwave draws around 7.5 amps of current, a larger device can draw as much as 15 amps.
Besides, the magnetrons in a microwave can draw more than the rated current as they age and lose efficiency. That makes the alliance of microwaves and power strips a risky business, at best.
3. Washing Machine
It’s not just that it’s big; it’s also insatiable when it comes to energy.
That’s why you should use a washing machine with a separate outlet for safety, and this is not mere advice.
You might use a power strip as a temporary arrangement as long as it can handle the washing machine’s energy requirement. However, you should not use any other device with the power strip at the same time. And don’t let it become a habit!
As we all well know, washing machines are mostly left unattended while doing their bidding. So the risks of fire due to overheating are that much higher.
Moreover, putting power strips in any area where it can get wet, like a laundry room, is a strict no-no. Quite simply, water and electricity do not mix.
4. Portable Generator
This is a bad idea for multiple reasons.
First, your average power strip or extension cord likely won’t be rated for handling the super high power output of a generator.
Next, the voltage from a home generator may not be as steady as that of utility power. Power strips are not designed for handling fluctuating voltages and can get damaged.
Most generators also require proper grounding that meets the manufacturer’s recommendation. This won’t be possible while using a power strip.
Some manufacturers even recommend special cables and connectors for using generators to ensure safety.
5. Air Fryers
Don’t let the small(ish) size of air fryers tempt you into feeding them through an underrated power strip or extension cord. Keep in mind that an air fryer needs between 1,200 and 2,000 watts for running!
Even if most meals take up to 20-30 minutes to cook there, it’s still a risk you shouldn’t want to take.
6. Space Heaters
Heaters are one of the major causes of residential fires and that’s why plugging space heaters to a power strip is super risky.
The risk is all the greater since we tend to keep them running for hours on end. If you have a hardwood floor, or the heater is placed near a couch or a rug (which it always is), the risks grow exponentially.
A heater in the high setting can draw 1,500 watts or even more. Directly connect the heater to a wall outlet to eliminate the risk of the circuit overheating. The same goes for other devices that have to do with heat. Think electric blankets, irons, and even toasters!
7. Yes, Even Hair Dryers!

Surprisingly, a medium-capacity hair dryer can draw between 15 and 20 amps of power. If you’re a lucky owner of a professional-grade device with advanced features, beware that it needs a LOT of heat and can draw as much as 2,000 watts or even more.
That’s typically much more than your average power strip can handle.
Although they aren’t as power-hungry as dryers, flat and curling irons are also to be kept away from power strips.
7 Devices You Can Plug Into a Power Strip
Other than devices that draw a large current and those that produce heat, there are quite a few light-load devices that you can connect to a power strip. Even so, always check the total wattage of all the connected devices to ensure safety.
1. Computers and Laptops
Be our guest to plug in computers, laptops, and gaming systems into a power strip.
Since small fluctuations in voltage can be damaging to the sensitive components in a computer, it’s best to use a power strip with a surge protector. Keep in mind that dollar store power strips do not have surge protectors built into them.
2. TV Sets
Using power strips for supplying current to a television unit is safe. Modern TVs draw next to no current while operating. That is, between 0.42 to a meagre 1 amp.
The wattage consumption will, of course, depend on the size of the TV, but it’s nothing that might overload a power strip.
3. Medical Equipment

Devices like C-PAP machines, nebulisers, and oxygen delivery systems can be plugged into a power strip as long as the total wattage load is within limits.
Since these devices have sophisticated electronics, it’s best to use them with a surge protector. In fact, medical-grade power strips come with advanced features like load monitoring technology for ensuring safety.
4. Modems
Since modems or routers draw little power, they can be connected to a power strip. Again, the best option is to use one with a surge protector. Note that some brands do not recommend using additional cables with networking devices as that might reduce the data rates.
5. Phone Chargers
A fast charger can draw a current of 3 amps or slightly more, which is on the lower side. Normal chargers draw even less current between 1-2 amps. So, connecting them with a power strip is not a problem.
6. Power Recliners
Power recliners can be used with a power strip as long as the strip meets the voltage and amperage demand. Some chairs have built-in surge protection circuits that make them safer.
7. Air Purifiers
A top–grade air purifier with a high energy star rating does not consume much power. The average power consumption of these devices at the highest fan speed is around 60 watts. While it is usually safe to connect them to a power strip, air purifiers run for extended periods. So keep an eye out to ensure that the power strip is not getting overloaded.
Bottom Line
Power strips are super convenient, as long as you don’t misuse them. Quite simply, overloading them is not worth the risk.
A quick safety tip: if a device draws over 15 amps, don’t plug it into a power strip.
Lastly, it wouldn’t hurt to inspect your power strips and extension cords every once in a while. If there are any signs of damage like exposed conductors and frayed wires, you know what to do!