Avoid connecting these devices to power strips or extension cords.
Operating high-wattage appliances using power strips or extension cords can pose a significant fire risk, according to electrical safety guidelines. Here's what you need to know about the safe use of high-wattage appliances and power strips.
High-Wattage Appliances and Fire Hazards
Appliances drawing more than about 1,500 watts, such as air fryers, space heaters, fridges, heating fans, electric heaters, dishwashers, coffee makers, microwaves, and kettles, pose a significant fire hazard if used with extension cords or power strips. Devices that run constantly or have heating elements are especially risky when connected via these means due to potential overheating and electrical overload.
Power Strips and Extension Cords: Not Designed for High-Wattage Appliances
Power strips and surge protectors are designed more for low to moderate wattage electronics and should not be overloaded beyond their rated capacity. Extension cords and power strips may not have sufficient capacity for the sustained high current demanded by high-wattage appliances, increasing the risk of overheating and fire.
The Association for Electrical, Electronic & Information Technologies (VDE) warns that overheating of power strips can lead to fires. The German Fire Protection Association also advises against using high-wattage devices with power strips and the like.
Safe Practices for Using High-Wattage Appliances
For safety and to comply with electrical guidelines, high-wattage appliances should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet made for heavy loads, ideally on a dedicated circuit engineered for that appliance. Using extension cords or power strips with these devices is strongly discouraged due to the serious fire risk.
Examples of high-wattage appliances and their recommended power sources include:
- Air fryers: These can consume between 1400 and 3000 watts, with larger models reaching 3000 watts. They should be connected to a fixed outlet if multiple kitchen appliances are being operated from one outlet.
- Fridges: Fridges should not be plugged into power strips or extension cords due to their continuous high power consumption.
- Washing machines or dryers: These should not be plugged into power strips or extension cords due to their high power consumption.
- Microwaves: Microwaves can consume up to 1000 watts and should not be plugged into a power strip.
- Dishwashers: Dishwashers consume around 1800 to 2000 watts and should be connected to a fixed outlet, especially in "wet areas" like the kitchen sink.
Smaller electrical appliances like TVs, radios, or computers can be used without problems with a power strip or extension cord as long as the total power consumption of all connected devices does not exceed the maximum power of the outlet.
In Summary
For the safety of your home and family, it is essential to follow electrical safety guidelines when using high-wattage appliances. Always plug high-wattage appliances directly into a wall outlet made for heavy loads, ideally on a dedicated circuit engineered for that appliance. Using extension cords or power strips with these devices is strongly discouraged due to the serious fire risk.
- To minimize the risk of fire and ensure safety in your home, avoid using high-wattage appliances such as air fryers, space heaters, and dishwashers with home-and-garden power strips or extension cords, as they are not designed to handle the sustained high current demanded by these appliances.
- In the realm of technology, it's crucial to understand that power strips and surge protectors are primarily intended for low to moderate wattage electronics, and using them for high-wattage appliances can lead to overheating and electrical overload, potentially causing a fire risk.
