These appliances must be plugged directly into the outlet to avoid electrical damage and fire hazard.
There are appliances that are essential in a home – or that can make your daily life much easier. However, they generally have a high power and are used frequently, which is why they require precautions when it comes to plugging them in.
Indeed, plugging high-drain devices, such as fridges and washing machines, into a power strip risks overloading it, causing overheating and a risk of fire. These devices can generate significant current peaks, particularly when switched on, which can damage the power strip. In addition, an electrical failure of the power strip could damage the device. It is therefore advisable to plug them directly into a dedicated wall outlet.
Here are some household appliances that should not be plugged into extension cords or power strips:
Fridge
Refrigerators are not recommended to be plugged into power strips due to their varying wattages (100 to 800 watts), which can exceed the capacity of older power strips, in addition to disrupting the continuous flow of energy needed to maintain internal temperature. The connection may also cause electromagnetic interference with other connected devices.
microwave
Microwaves require more energy and power than a power strip can provide. With power between 600 and 1,500 watts, adding other appliances can damage the microwave and pose a fire hazard. Electromagnetic interference can also affect other devices connected to the power strip.
portable air conditioner
The portable air conditioner is an effective alternative for cooling rooms without the need for a fixed installation. However, it is important to avoid plugging it into extension cords or power strips, as they draw a lot of current and can overload the system. It is recommended to leave outlets available exclusively for this device.
Mixer and blender
Blenders are small, but powerful. With high power, up to 1,500 watts, they ensure efficient centrifugation and fast cutting of hard foods. This power even exceeds that of washing machines. However, it is important to avoid plugging them in at the same time as other electronic devices into a power strip, as this can cause a short circuit and damage.
Washing machine
Washing machines generally require a maximum of 1400 watts. With such power, it can be very dangerous to plug it into a power strip, since there are models that support between 1,500 W and 2,500 W. So if you plug in the washing machine and other appliances at the same time, it there is a high risk of damaging your appliance.