You can either plug your appliances straight into the generator or use a power strip suitable for the wattage carried that is rated for outdoor usage.
Surge-protected power strips can help safeguard your appliances from surges that can cause damage. Do not use your generator for more than 30 minutes at maximum wattage.
Can You Use Power Strips With Generators?
Power strips with different power outputs, measured in watts, are available for generators. The higher-wattage models have a range of outlets with different voltages and amps.
Most models have at least one of what are called household outlets that provide 120V and 15A. You can plug a power strip into the generator directly.
However, you’ll probably want some distance between the generator and your appliances, as well as yourself.
Remember that larger generators emit poisonous gases that you should avoid inhaling. They’re also quite noisy! As a result, it’s recommended to connect the generator to an outdoor extension cable; just make sure it’s rated for the watts your generator produces and can handle the power.
What Should You Never Plug Into A Power Strip?
Certain appliances take a lot of power/amperage, so using them with a power strip is not recommended. Items that heat up, such as a coffee maker, straightener, toaster, kettle, microwave, space heater, or slow cooker, fall into this category.
You also don’t want to plug in large appliances like the dishwasher, fridge, freezer, washing machine, or tumble dryer. If you see something that would consume a lot of power, don’t use it with a power strip. Learn to disconnect things to share an outlet if you don’t have enough. It is a far safer option.
Power strips can help solve this problem, but they have their own set of drawbacks. They’re made for low-power devices like laptops and gadgets. Overloading them might cause breakers to trip or an electrical fire due to overheating.
Here’s something you should never plug into a power strip.
Refrigerators
Refrigerators are one of your home’s largest appliances and keeping your food and beverages cool demands a lot of power. Your power strip can’t manage the amount of energy required to complete the task. It’s possible that your circuit breaker will trip or that your power strip will overheat.
Microwaves And Toaster Ovens
You don’t have to wait long to create your favorite supper or a late-night snack with a microwave, but it should always be plugged directly into a wall outlet. You risk overloading your power strip, tripping your breaker, or triggering a fire if you do not do so. Toast ovens and air fryers follow the same rule.
Heaters That Can Be Moved
To begin with, electric space heaters are not the safest option. Connecting them to a power strip just adds to the hazard.
Air Compressors
Many people have air compressors in their garages, which they use to fill car and bike tires as well as power other tools. It will take more energy than your power strip can supply. If you want to protect your electrical system and reduce fire threats, always utilize a wall outlet.
What Are The Benefits Of Using A Power Strip?
If you have many electronics in close proximity to one another, power strips are ideal. Most outlets in residential and commercial areas only have two sockets, which isn’t always enough, so the extra strip comes in handy.
Power strips typically include multiple outlets, a circuit breaker, and an on/off switch, making them ideal for businesses or restaurants looking to save energy.
While some power strips include a built-in surge protector, not all do, leaving your equipment vulnerable to a power surge.
Pricewise, power strips are relatively inexpensive. One may generally be had for less than $20, and some can even be had for less than $10. So, if you only need a few extra electrical outlets, this is definitely the best alternative.
Is It Possible To Use An Extension Cord With A Power Strip?
You should have no issue plugging your extension cord into the power strip if the plug of your extension cord fits into the electrical socket of the power strip.
There’s no need to ponder if an extension cord can be plugged into a power strip. It’s more sensible to inquire about the habit’s safety. Because no one can prevent you from inserting an extension cord into a power strip, this is the case.
That is the point that many experts are so adamant about bringing up.
How Power Strips Help In Reducing The Electricity Bill?
Traditional power strips may allow you to put more than one or two gadgets into an outlet at the same time, but they will not save you money. A high-tech power strip can help.
Advanced power strips can help you save money by preventing you from using electricity that you don’t need. When employing this type of power strip, if one of your devices or electrical goods (such as a TV) isn’t in use, it won’t use electricity.
This prevents your device from squandering power. The strip ensures that all of your electronics are turned off so that you don’t waste money on them when you aren’t using them.
Related Questions
When using a generator, can you utilize extension cords?
Indoor goods must be powered via a transfer switch that is physically wired into the electrical system of your home. Only utilize extension cables that are directly attached to your portable generator to power outdoor equipment.
To run a refrigerator on a generator, what size extension cord do I need?
A 14-gauge AWG extension cord is the best size for a refrigerator. This can safely carry up to 15 amps of current over a distance of 30 feet. A smaller size is not advised since it may induce a voltage drop in the cord, causing the cord to heat up and destroy the refrigerator.
Conclusion
With a generator, you can use a power strip. However, daisy-chaining power strips to increase the reach of your generator’s outlet is not recommended. It’s more likely to start a fire or overload the system. Daisy-chaining is also a breach of fire safety laws in several areas.