You just moved into a new house, and you’re facing the problem of not having enough electrical outlets. To make matters worse, the only outlet in your kitchen isn’t near where you want to put your toaster. But if your first thought is to solve the problem with an extension socket, think again.
Gauge 14 and 12 extension sockets are the most commonly sold extension cords, with 14-gauge extension sockets rated for up to 1,800 watts (or 15 amps, that’s the value). However, devices over 1,500 watts should always be connected to a dedicated circuit, and high-risk devices in the home should never be connected to an extension socket.
1. Air fryers
Air fryers are great for quickly cooking or reheating foods, including full meals and side dishes, but it’s not a good idea to plug them into an extension cord or power strip. Wattage varies by size, but larger fryers can use up to 2,000 watts, which poses a major fire hazard when plugged into an extension socket. So, if you don’t have enough counter space to keep your air fryer outside all the time, it’s best to unplug it when needed and plug it into a designated outlet.
2. Microwave Oven
It’s our dream to move into a home that has a built-in microwave, but we’re not all that lucky. If you need to find a place to plug in your microwave in the kitchen, this is a large appliance that has its own circuit due to its high wattage.
3. Refrigerators
Although refrigerators consume less power than other kitchen appliances, they are still used all the time, so we do not recommend using an extension cord. Connecting an extension socket to a refrigerator may cause the refrigerator to malfunction, even if it does not result in a fire.
4. Toasters and Toaster Ovens
Toasters are one of the smaller kitchen appliances, but they use a lot of energy and can be a fire hazard if plugged into an extension socket. Toaster ovens require even more power, with an output of 1,200-1,400 watts.
5. Extension Sockets
Plugging extension sockets into other extension sockets is another big “No!” in the electrician’s world. When this happens, it’s called “daisy chaining.” It can lead to overheating of the circuits, which in turn can lead to overheating of the cables.
6. Space heaters
Electric space heaters have long been known to be a major cause of fires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission previously estimated that portable space heaters caused 1,700 fires per year between 2017 and 2019, some of which were fatal. . So, don’t use extension cords or multiple sockets for electrical appliances.
7. Air Conditioning
Air conditioning uses a lot of power in extension cords and power strips, so you also need to plug them into a wall outlet. It is also stressed the importance of buying the right air conditioner for your space, using an online BTU calculator to calculate how much you need to effectively cool a room
