Is it Safe to Plug an Extension Cord Into a Power Strip?












1












$begingroup$


Just a bit of context, I am a technology enthusiast. I love everything from software to hardware, Windows to Linux, Computer to Phone, and everything in between. So, I wouldn't be surprised is my electrical usage exceeds 50% of the entire household (8 people). To power all of the equipment I use, I use a pretty expensive surge protector, with 12 outlets on it. Recently, I have been very plain and simply, running out of outlets.



I have an extension cord with 3 outlets on it. Maybe, I thought, I could plug some of the things on my surge protector into the extension cord, and then the extension cord into the surge protector. I know, it's pretty dumb of me, but I went and did it, without checking to see if it was safe first. But I did, and everything seems to running fine. It's been running for about a 30 minutes now, and neither the surge protector or the extension cord are overheating.



However, after the fact, I am reading on websites about weather or not this is safe, and they're all saying it's not, even though everything is running perfectly fine. Thoughts? Something I'm not understanding?










share|improve this question







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Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
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  • $begingroup$
    The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
    $endgroup$
    – mkeith
    28 secs ago
















1












$begingroup$


Just a bit of context, I am a technology enthusiast. I love everything from software to hardware, Windows to Linux, Computer to Phone, and everything in between. So, I wouldn't be surprised is my electrical usage exceeds 50% of the entire household (8 people). To power all of the equipment I use, I use a pretty expensive surge protector, with 12 outlets on it. Recently, I have been very plain and simply, running out of outlets.



I have an extension cord with 3 outlets on it. Maybe, I thought, I could plug some of the things on my surge protector into the extension cord, and then the extension cord into the surge protector. I know, it's pretty dumb of me, but I went and did it, without checking to see if it was safe first. But I did, and everything seems to running fine. It's been running for about a 30 minutes now, and neither the surge protector or the extension cord are overheating.



However, after the fact, I am reading on websites about weather or not this is safe, and they're all saying it's not, even though everything is running perfectly fine. Thoughts? Something I'm not understanding?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$












  • $begingroup$
    The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
    $endgroup$
    – mkeith
    28 secs ago














1












1








1





$begingroup$


Just a bit of context, I am a technology enthusiast. I love everything from software to hardware, Windows to Linux, Computer to Phone, and everything in between. So, I wouldn't be surprised is my electrical usage exceeds 50% of the entire household (8 people). To power all of the equipment I use, I use a pretty expensive surge protector, with 12 outlets on it. Recently, I have been very plain and simply, running out of outlets.



I have an extension cord with 3 outlets on it. Maybe, I thought, I could plug some of the things on my surge protector into the extension cord, and then the extension cord into the surge protector. I know, it's pretty dumb of me, but I went and did it, without checking to see if it was safe first. But I did, and everything seems to running fine. It's been running for about a 30 minutes now, and neither the surge protector or the extension cord are overheating.



However, after the fact, I am reading on websites about weather or not this is safe, and they're all saying it's not, even though everything is running perfectly fine. Thoughts? Something I'm not understanding?










share|improve this question







New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.







$endgroup$




Just a bit of context, I am a technology enthusiast. I love everything from software to hardware, Windows to Linux, Computer to Phone, and everything in between. So, I wouldn't be surprised is my electrical usage exceeds 50% of the entire household (8 people). To power all of the equipment I use, I use a pretty expensive surge protector, with 12 outlets on it. Recently, I have been very plain and simply, running out of outlets.



I have an extension cord with 3 outlets on it. Maybe, I thought, I could plug some of the things on my surge protector into the extension cord, and then the extension cord into the surge protector. I know, it's pretty dumb of me, but I went and did it, without checking to see if it was safe first. But I did, and everything seems to running fine. It's been running for about a 30 minutes now, and neither the surge protector or the extension cord are overheating.



However, after the fact, I am reading on websites about weather or not this is safe, and they're all saying it's not, even though everything is running perfectly fine. Thoughts? Something I'm not understanding?







safety surge-protection outlet overheat






share|improve this question







New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.











share|improve this question







New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









share|improve this question




share|improve this question






New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.









asked 1 hour ago









Ethan WaldeckEthan Waldeck

83




83




New contributor




Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.





New contributor





Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.






Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












  • $begingroup$
    The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
    $endgroup$
    – mkeith
    28 secs ago


















  • $begingroup$
    The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
    $endgroup$
    – mkeith
    28 secs ago
















$begingroup$
The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
28 secs ago




$begingroup$
The danger (if there is any) is that something will overheat and fail or start a fire. Since you are a technology enthusiast, you simply MUST have a thermal imaging camera or thermal imaging adapter for your mobile phone. Use this to make sure none of your cables or power strips are getting too warm. If they aren't, then most likely, all is well. If anything is getting hot, then take steps to reduce the load on it, or at least investigate further. It may take things a long time to reach their final temperature.
$endgroup$
– mkeith
28 secs ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















4












$begingroup$

To be honest, I do it all the time. However, there are some things to keep in mind:




  • Never exceed the maximum power, current and voltage.


    • Voltage will normally not be a problem since this is (more or less) stable in a country. When you go abroad, check if they can be used.

    • current is most important, sum up all devices you connect on that extension cord AND all devices on extension connected to the the first extension cord. Take some margin, especially motors sometimes can use a lot of 'starting' current.



  • Don't forget when you switch on an extension cord (either by plugging it in, or by using a switch if there is on), ALL devices will be powered on at the same time, using possibly some additional extra current.

  • When you go towards the maximum current supported by the extension cord, make sure the cable is fully unrolled (meaning not bundled), since warmth cannot spread.






share|improve this answer









$endgroup$





















    3












    $begingroup$

    If you only plug low current devices into the extension cord there should be no problem. In any case, you need to keep the total current requirements of everthing plugged into the surge protector and extension cord below the rating of the surge protector. You also must consider the current requirement of anything else on the same circuit as the outlet the surge protector is pluggged into.



    Manufacturers warn against plugging extensions or other power bars into a surge protector in case someone plugs a 15 amp heater into the last of three power bars.






    share|improve this answer









    $endgroup$





















      0












      $begingroup$

      I'll add some information to what Michael and Peter wrote in their good answers.



      You are right about lots of warnings being written everywhere on the subject. This is some sort of scarecrow tactic from the manufacturers (and rightly so, IMO).



      Manufacturers must design their product and the included instructions around the (possibly dumbest) average consumer. Average people, sadly, have very little understanding of how electricity works: they confuse power, voltage and current all the time, let alone knowing what Ohm's law or Joule's law are!



      So manufacturers don't take any chances. They tell you the simplest possible rule to use their products with safety: "One extension cord (adapter plug, or whatever) to one socket, no multiple adapter/extension things joined together". Stop. Simple and hopefully foolproof.



      Of course, extension cords, plugs, sockets and similar "electrical connection things" follow Ohm's law and Joule's law. This latter is particularly important to calculate heating. If you know what you are doing and know the characteristics of your loads, you can mix and match almost anything by providing generous safety margins.



      I have been running various multiple extension cords setups for ages, without the slightest problem. "Normal" people could watch my setups and cower in terror (if they are sane), or they could do the same and burn their house down, because they can't tell the electrical difference between a 4W power pack and a 1500W toaster! :-D






      share|improve this answer









      $endgroup$













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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

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        3 Answers
        3






        active

        oldest

        votes









        active

        oldest

        votes






        active

        oldest

        votes









        4












        $begingroup$

        To be honest, I do it all the time. However, there are some things to keep in mind:




        • Never exceed the maximum power, current and voltage.


          • Voltage will normally not be a problem since this is (more or less) stable in a country. When you go abroad, check if they can be used.

          • current is most important, sum up all devices you connect on that extension cord AND all devices on extension connected to the the first extension cord. Take some margin, especially motors sometimes can use a lot of 'starting' current.



        • Don't forget when you switch on an extension cord (either by plugging it in, or by using a switch if there is on), ALL devices will be powered on at the same time, using possibly some additional extra current.

        • When you go towards the maximum current supported by the extension cord, make sure the cable is fully unrolled (meaning not bundled), since warmth cannot spread.






        share|improve this answer









        $endgroup$


















          4












          $begingroup$

          To be honest, I do it all the time. However, there are some things to keep in mind:




          • Never exceed the maximum power, current and voltage.


            • Voltage will normally not be a problem since this is (more or less) stable in a country. When you go abroad, check if they can be used.

            • current is most important, sum up all devices you connect on that extension cord AND all devices on extension connected to the the first extension cord. Take some margin, especially motors sometimes can use a lot of 'starting' current.



          • Don't forget when you switch on an extension cord (either by plugging it in, or by using a switch if there is on), ALL devices will be powered on at the same time, using possibly some additional extra current.

          • When you go towards the maximum current supported by the extension cord, make sure the cable is fully unrolled (meaning not bundled), since warmth cannot spread.






          share|improve this answer









          $endgroup$
















            4












            4








            4





            $begingroup$

            To be honest, I do it all the time. However, there are some things to keep in mind:




            • Never exceed the maximum power, current and voltage.


              • Voltage will normally not be a problem since this is (more or less) stable in a country. When you go abroad, check if they can be used.

              • current is most important, sum up all devices you connect on that extension cord AND all devices on extension connected to the the first extension cord. Take some margin, especially motors sometimes can use a lot of 'starting' current.



            • Don't forget when you switch on an extension cord (either by plugging it in, or by using a switch if there is on), ALL devices will be powered on at the same time, using possibly some additional extra current.

            • When you go towards the maximum current supported by the extension cord, make sure the cable is fully unrolled (meaning not bundled), since warmth cannot spread.






            share|improve this answer









            $endgroup$



            To be honest, I do it all the time. However, there are some things to keep in mind:




            • Never exceed the maximum power, current and voltage.


              • Voltage will normally not be a problem since this is (more or less) stable in a country. When you go abroad, check if they can be used.

              • current is most important, sum up all devices you connect on that extension cord AND all devices on extension connected to the the first extension cord. Take some margin, especially motors sometimes can use a lot of 'starting' current.



            • Don't forget when you switch on an extension cord (either by plugging it in, or by using a switch if there is on), ALL devices will be powered on at the same time, using possibly some additional extra current.

            • When you go towards the maximum current supported by the extension cord, make sure the cable is fully unrolled (meaning not bundled), since warmth cannot spread.







            share|improve this answer












            share|improve this answer



            share|improve this answer










            answered 1 hour ago









            Michel KeijzersMichel Keijzers

            6,35492866




            6,35492866

























                3












                $begingroup$

                If you only plug low current devices into the extension cord there should be no problem. In any case, you need to keep the total current requirements of everthing plugged into the surge protector and extension cord below the rating of the surge protector. You also must consider the current requirement of anything else on the same circuit as the outlet the surge protector is pluggged into.



                Manufacturers warn against plugging extensions or other power bars into a surge protector in case someone plugs a 15 amp heater into the last of three power bars.






                share|improve this answer









                $endgroup$


















                  3












                  $begingroup$

                  If you only plug low current devices into the extension cord there should be no problem. In any case, you need to keep the total current requirements of everthing plugged into the surge protector and extension cord below the rating of the surge protector. You also must consider the current requirement of anything else on the same circuit as the outlet the surge protector is pluggged into.



                  Manufacturers warn against plugging extensions or other power bars into a surge protector in case someone plugs a 15 amp heater into the last of three power bars.






                  share|improve this answer









                  $endgroup$
















                    3












                    3








                    3





                    $begingroup$

                    If you only plug low current devices into the extension cord there should be no problem. In any case, you need to keep the total current requirements of everthing plugged into the surge protector and extension cord below the rating of the surge protector. You also must consider the current requirement of anything else on the same circuit as the outlet the surge protector is pluggged into.



                    Manufacturers warn against plugging extensions or other power bars into a surge protector in case someone plugs a 15 amp heater into the last of three power bars.






                    share|improve this answer









                    $endgroup$



                    If you only plug low current devices into the extension cord there should be no problem. In any case, you need to keep the total current requirements of everthing plugged into the surge protector and extension cord below the rating of the surge protector. You also must consider the current requirement of anything else on the same circuit as the outlet the surge protector is pluggged into.



                    Manufacturers warn against plugging extensions or other power bars into a surge protector in case someone plugs a 15 amp heater into the last of three power bars.







                    share|improve this answer












                    share|improve this answer



                    share|improve this answer










                    answered 1 hour ago









                    Peter BennettPeter Bennett

                    37.5k12968




                    37.5k12968























                        0












                        $begingroup$

                        I'll add some information to what Michael and Peter wrote in their good answers.



                        You are right about lots of warnings being written everywhere on the subject. This is some sort of scarecrow tactic from the manufacturers (and rightly so, IMO).



                        Manufacturers must design their product and the included instructions around the (possibly dumbest) average consumer. Average people, sadly, have very little understanding of how electricity works: they confuse power, voltage and current all the time, let alone knowing what Ohm's law or Joule's law are!



                        So manufacturers don't take any chances. They tell you the simplest possible rule to use their products with safety: "One extension cord (adapter plug, or whatever) to one socket, no multiple adapter/extension things joined together". Stop. Simple and hopefully foolproof.



                        Of course, extension cords, plugs, sockets and similar "electrical connection things" follow Ohm's law and Joule's law. This latter is particularly important to calculate heating. If you know what you are doing and know the characteristics of your loads, you can mix and match almost anything by providing generous safety margins.



                        I have been running various multiple extension cords setups for ages, without the slightest problem. "Normal" people could watch my setups and cower in terror (if they are sane), or they could do the same and burn their house down, because they can't tell the electrical difference between a 4W power pack and a 1500W toaster! :-D






                        share|improve this answer









                        $endgroup$


















                          0












                          $begingroup$

                          I'll add some information to what Michael and Peter wrote in their good answers.



                          You are right about lots of warnings being written everywhere on the subject. This is some sort of scarecrow tactic from the manufacturers (and rightly so, IMO).



                          Manufacturers must design their product and the included instructions around the (possibly dumbest) average consumer. Average people, sadly, have very little understanding of how electricity works: they confuse power, voltage and current all the time, let alone knowing what Ohm's law or Joule's law are!



                          So manufacturers don't take any chances. They tell you the simplest possible rule to use their products with safety: "One extension cord (adapter plug, or whatever) to one socket, no multiple adapter/extension things joined together". Stop. Simple and hopefully foolproof.



                          Of course, extension cords, plugs, sockets and similar "electrical connection things" follow Ohm's law and Joule's law. This latter is particularly important to calculate heating. If you know what you are doing and know the characteristics of your loads, you can mix and match almost anything by providing generous safety margins.



                          I have been running various multiple extension cords setups for ages, without the slightest problem. "Normal" people could watch my setups and cower in terror (if they are sane), or they could do the same and burn their house down, because they can't tell the electrical difference between a 4W power pack and a 1500W toaster! :-D






                          share|improve this answer









                          $endgroup$
















                            0












                            0








                            0





                            $begingroup$

                            I'll add some information to what Michael and Peter wrote in their good answers.



                            You are right about lots of warnings being written everywhere on the subject. This is some sort of scarecrow tactic from the manufacturers (and rightly so, IMO).



                            Manufacturers must design their product and the included instructions around the (possibly dumbest) average consumer. Average people, sadly, have very little understanding of how electricity works: they confuse power, voltage and current all the time, let alone knowing what Ohm's law or Joule's law are!



                            So manufacturers don't take any chances. They tell you the simplest possible rule to use their products with safety: "One extension cord (adapter plug, or whatever) to one socket, no multiple adapter/extension things joined together". Stop. Simple and hopefully foolproof.



                            Of course, extension cords, plugs, sockets and similar "electrical connection things" follow Ohm's law and Joule's law. This latter is particularly important to calculate heating. If you know what you are doing and know the characteristics of your loads, you can mix and match almost anything by providing generous safety margins.



                            I have been running various multiple extension cords setups for ages, without the slightest problem. "Normal" people could watch my setups and cower in terror (if they are sane), or they could do the same and burn their house down, because they can't tell the electrical difference between a 4W power pack and a 1500W toaster! :-D






                            share|improve this answer









                            $endgroup$



                            I'll add some information to what Michael and Peter wrote in their good answers.



                            You are right about lots of warnings being written everywhere on the subject. This is some sort of scarecrow tactic from the manufacturers (and rightly so, IMO).



                            Manufacturers must design their product and the included instructions around the (possibly dumbest) average consumer. Average people, sadly, have very little understanding of how electricity works: they confuse power, voltage and current all the time, let alone knowing what Ohm's law or Joule's law are!



                            So manufacturers don't take any chances. They tell you the simplest possible rule to use their products with safety: "One extension cord (adapter plug, or whatever) to one socket, no multiple adapter/extension things joined together". Stop. Simple and hopefully foolproof.



                            Of course, extension cords, plugs, sockets and similar "electrical connection things" follow Ohm's law and Joule's law. This latter is particularly important to calculate heating. If you know what you are doing and know the characteristics of your loads, you can mix and match almost anything by providing generous safety margins.



                            I have been running various multiple extension cords setups for ages, without the slightest problem. "Normal" people could watch my setups and cower in terror (if they are sane), or they could do the same and burn their house down, because they can't tell the electrical difference between a 4W power pack and a 1500W toaster! :-D







                            share|improve this answer












                            share|improve this answer



                            share|improve this answer










                            answered 24 mins ago









                            Lorenzo DonatiLorenzo Donati

                            16.8k44476




                            16.8k44476






















                                Ethan Waldeck is a new contributor. Be nice, and check out our Code of Conduct.










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