Do Not Connect These 7 Devices to an Extension Cord. An Expert Explains Why

Imagine this: You move into a new home and start unpacking. As you enter the kitchen, you look around for a place to put your toaster oven, but there is a problem. Your kitchen only covers one wall area — and there’s nowhere you want to put your appliances.

If you’re thinking about pulling out the extension cord to fix this problem, think again.

“A lot of people don’t know about extension cords,” says Paul Martinez, owner of Electrified NYC, Brooklyn, New York. “If the extension cords are 14-gauge, and you are using a machine with heating elements, [such as] toaster oven, microwave or dishwasher, the 14 gauge will not handle the amperage and can burn the extension cord. It is also what causes fires in New York City. “

Fourteen- and 12-gauge extension cords are some of the most common extension cords sold with a 14-gauge extension cord capable of handling about 1,800 watts (or 15 amps, similar to a typical US wall outlet. ) . However, Martinez cautions that any appliance over 1,500 watts should always be on a dedicated circuit.

“There are no strings attached,” he says of such services.

Here are seven high-risk examples in your home that you should never plug into an extension cord.

1. A fridge

Air conditioners are great for cooking and heating food quickly, including full meals and side dishes, but it’s not a good idea to attach them to an extension cord or power line. Although they vary in electricity based on size, large air fryers can draw up to 2,000 watts, making them a serious fire hazard when plugged into an extension cord. So if you don’t have a counter to keep your air conditioner running full time, it’s better to take it out when needed and plug it into a dedicated wall outlet.

2. Microwave

Although the dream is to walk into a house with a built-in microwave, not all of us are that lucky. If you have to find a place to plug your own into your kitchen, this is another hard-working item that should live up to its dedicated cycle due to its large water capacity.

Read more: The best Microwave of 2024

3. Refrigerator

Although refrigerators use less water when compared to other kitchen appliances, they are not recommended for the use of extension cords as they run constantly. Even if an extension cord does not cause a fire if it is attached to the refrigerator, it may cause the refrigerator to malfunction.

4. Toaster and toaster oven

Although toasters are on the small side when it comes to kitchen appliances, they use a lot of energy and pose a fire hazard when plugged into an extension cord. Toaster ovens require more power to operate with water ranging from 1,200 to 1,400 watts.

5. Extension cords

Connecting extension cords to other extension cords is another big “no!” in the electronic world. When this is done, it is known as “daisy chaining.” It can lead to overheating of the circuit, which can cause the wires to overheat.

6. Space heaters

Electric heaters have long been known to be a major cause of fires. The Consumer Product Safety Commission previously estimated that between 2017 and 2019, portable space heaters were involved in 1,700 fires annually, some of which resulted in deaths.

“Let’s say you connect [an extension cord] in the floor heater,” Martinez said, “the plug melts and starts a fire. That’s why you can’t use extension cords and/or power cords for any electrical appliances, because they should only be used for electrical appliances.”

Read more: Never Install a space heater in these 9 locations

7. AC unit

AC units use a lot of power from an extension cord or power strip, so they need to be plugged in and out of the wall. Martinez also stresses the importance of buying the right AC unit for your space. You can use an online BTU calculator to calculate the type you’ll need to properly cool your space.

“People just buy a 5,000 BTU air conditioner, because it sells for $99, and they think it’s going to be cool. [their home]and it’s not,” Martinez said.[AC units] they have to keep closing the circuit, so they don’t draw so much power. So if you slow it down, the compressor will work 10 times harder.”

This can cause your home to never cool properly, high electricity bills, and if this AC unit is plugged into an extension cord, possibly a fire.

Important when it comes to extension cords

“There’s no electronics,” Martinez said, regarding extension cords and power lines.

He says you should also remember to only pair power cords with electrical appliances, and that extension cords should never be used for anything over 15 amps (1,800 watts), no matter where or how the item works.

For more at-home tips, see how much you can make save using a space heater and learn where you have to never put a security camera at home.