THE more electronics you have at home, the more plugs you’ve probably got stuck in the wall.
But one common mistake with your electrical outlets could break your pricey gadgets, and even risk a fire.
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From smartphones and tablets, to air fryers and smart speakers – the number of devices we have often outnumber the plug sockets available.
This is especially the case if you live in an older building.
Using a plug extension cable, surge protector or power strip can be a much-needed workaround to this problem.
Some people may even plug an extension cable into another, for even more sockets.
Yet experts have warned against this ‘daisy chaining’ of outlets.
‘Daisy chaining’, as it is known, comes with serious risks, including overheating, fire hazards, electric shocks and voided warranties on your devices.
Overheating electrical plugs can damage devices through excessive heat on their batteries.
Each power strip is rated for a specific electrical load – how much power it can safely handle before it fails.
But when you plug one power strip into another, they can exceed this capacity.
The one closest to the wall outlet usually takes the hardest hit – meaning it’s the one that is most likely to falter.
Most power strips are listed for stand-alone use, so you can’t string them together.
It typically goes against the manufacturer’s guidance, although it’s worth noting some strips do not come with a manual.
If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the power strip, you could void the warranty for the power strip itself and the devices plugged into it.
This is even the case for surge protectors, which offer protection against power surges in ways standard extension cords do not.
Doubling up on surge protectors will only provide more risks, and not add any protection.
The internal components are designed to absorb spikes in voltage, and connecting them in a chain can interfere with that process.
Just last week, households were warned over ‘energy saving’ eco plugs that have been subject to multiple Government recalls.
The plugs had won favour with Brits trying to bring their energy bills down.
But a Which? investigation found these scam plugs failed basic electrical safety standards, meaning they are illegal and potentially dangerous.
While the plugs were once available to purchase on AliExpress, Amazon, eBay, Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop – all platforms have since removed them following the investigation.
