You're better off hiring an electrician to move an outlet than using an extension cord to plug in these seven items.
Most homeowners are not experts in extension cord capacity. Roughly 3,300 home fires occur each year, killing 50 people and injuring 270 more.
Fourteen- and twelve-gauge extension cords are the most commonly used in homes across Virginia. Fourteen-gauge cords can handle up to 1,800 watts (or 15 amps), which is the same as a standard wall outlet.
Appliances with a power rating of more than 1,500 watts should be on a dedicated circuit and never plugged into an extension cord. Here are the most common of these appliances.
Air Fryer
Although air fryers range in wattage based on size, many draw up to over 2,000 watts and can quickly overheat an extension cord.
Microwave
Built-in microwaves are typically connected to a dedicated circuit, but a countertop model needs an outlet. It, too, should be on its own dedicated circuit, but if that isn't possible, no other appliances should be plugged in and/or running on that circuit when you are using it.
Other Extension Cords
This is a major "no" if you ask an electrician. Known as "daisy-chaining," it can lead to overheated circuits and melting cords.
Space Heaters
In addition to keeping space heaters away from flammable materials like curtains and papers, a space heater, no matter the size, should never be plugged into an extension cord.
Toaster and Toaster Oven
These small appliances may seem like they don't use much energy, but any appliance that heats something, no matter its size, usually requires a minimum of 1,200 to 1,400 watts.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators are relatively low-wattage users until the motor needs to run to cool down the inside. Any appliance the size of a fridge should have its own circuit.
AC Units
AC units should be plugged into wall outlets, whether in a window or a portable rolling unit. Most people buy undersized units because they are less expensive, but these have to work harder to cool down a space (they don't cycle off and on as much because the thermostat isn't falling) and overheat an extension cord.
Other Helpful Extension Cord Safety Tips
Make sure cords are rated for their intended use (indoor or outdoor) and meet or exceed the power needs of the device being used. For example, if you are plugging in an old stereo system with lots of components, a power strip may be the smarter solution.
Heavy reliance on extension cords means you have too few outlets to fit your needs. Call an electrician to install new ones with separate circuits to reduce fire risk.
Inspect cords for damage before use and at least twice a year.
Do not nail or staple extension cords to walls or baseboards.
Do not run cords under carpets, through walls/ceilings/doors/floors. Covered cords cannot release heat and will melt.
Make sure all cords have been approved by an independent testing laboratory. Many cords imported from China may not fit the standards.
If you are using two-prong extension cords, make sure they are plugged into grounded three-prong outlets. If your outlets are two-pronged, get an electrician to convert them. These are much safer.
Sources: CNET, ESFI
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