Extension cables have become an integral part of our daily lives. Whether at home or at work, they are often used to operate several devices at the same time. On the other hand, many holidaymakers use them in their motorhomes. However, special care must be taken when using an extension cable. In fact, many devices should not be connected to it, at the risk of causing serious damage!
Find out now which appliances should not be connected to an extension cable.
These appliances should not be connected to an extension lead.
Connecting appliances to an extension lead.
Although useful, the extension lead can be dangerous if it is overloaded or used incorrectly. This can damage your appliances, cause a power failure or even cause a fire.
It is therefore better to avoid overloading your extension lead by plugging in energy-consuming appliances. You will find labels on all extension cords or power strips, as many people like to call them, that indicate the maximum power in watts (W) they can support. Before you decide on an extension lead, make sure you find out its maximum power rating. In addition, it is advisable to be aware of the power of the devices you will be connecting to it. If they turn out to consume energy, do not connect them to your extension lead to avoid the risks mentioned above.
Here are the electrical appliances that should not be plugged into your extension lead to avoid risks
The refrigerator:
Of course, the refrigerator is one of the electrical appliances that consumes the most electrical energy (up to 500 kWh per year). As the maximum power can be reached quickly, avoid connecting it to an extension lead. Do the same for the freezer.
Parking heater:
When winter is just around the corner, it can be tempting to leave the parking heater running. Remember to plug it into a socket and not an extension lead. This way you avoid overloading the latter and overheating at the same time.
The washing machine:
note that a washing machine in France consumes an average of 191 kWh per year! To avoid the risk of overheating, it is strongly recommended to connect it to a wall socket and not to a power strip. Do the same for the tumble dryer.
The microwave:
According to TotalEnergies, a microwave whose power varies between 1,000 and 1,500 watts can consume an average of 90 kWh per year. Since it consumes so much energy, it is therefore preferable not to connect it to an extension cord.
The coffee machine:
Even if it is not visible, the coffee machine is quite greedy when it comes to electrical energy, with an estimated consumption of 165 kWh/year. A connection to a socket would therefore be more than desirable.
The toaster:
The toaster consumes a lot of energy with regular use (10 minutes per week), 500 to 1000 W/year. Don’t hesitate to plug it into a socket like the coffee machine.
Another extension cord:
If you think of connecting an extension cord to another extension cord, forget it! If necessary, the maximum permitted power will actually be exceeded and the risks of an electrical fire or electric shock are considerably high!
Other tips to keep in mind when using an extension lead
Discover some useful tips below to avoid taking any risks when using an extension lead.
Does your extension lead have an on/off switch? Then remember to switch it off at night or on days when you are not at home. However, make sure that the connected appliances are without power during this time. In this way, you limit the risk of cuts or fires and reduce your energy consumption at the same time.
Get rid of outdated extension cables. Your electrical appliances can quickly fall victim to this . If an extension lead appears to be in poor condition or defective, replace it immediately!
Now you know how to use your extension lead correctly and avoid any risks that could be caused by possible overloading or incorrect use.
