The devices and appliances you want to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors into your surge protector. Hi, I don't have enough outlets to have both a surge protector AND UPS in the same location, and all of my other power outlets are in use, so I can't just get a long cabled power strip. If you notice any problems with the outlet, stop using it immediately and contact a qualified electrician. Can you use ocean water in a swimming pool? Keep reading for a list of mistakes to avoid when using power strips to prevent a whole mess of problems. Its also important to note that you may be violating electrical or fire codes that apply to you by daisy chaining, which could make you responsible for any accidents that occur as a result of it. If that isnt powerful enough for your needs, seek out a heavy-duty 20-amp power strip, which can handle loads of up to 2,400 watts. Plugging any non-APC surge protector, power strip, or extension cord into the output of an APC brand UPS could void your Equipment Protection Policy (EPP). We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. Additionally, do not plug the humidifier into a surge protector that is not rated for the specific voltage and amperage of the humidifier. How can I wire the Humistat and Humidifier so that Humudifier runs only during heat cycle? This will help ensure that the humidifier doesnt cause a fire. This will help to prevent shock hazards. You can also hire a licensed electrician to install a whole home surge protection system to safeguard your homes electronics, appliances, and vital circuits. Using the Right Gauge The extra current overheats smaller 16- and 18-gauge extension cords, which are intended for lamps and small appliances, and you should never use one for a refrigerator or freezer. This is not ideal, since the furnace has to be moving air for the humidifier to function properly. What sort of contractor retrofits kitchen exhaust ducts in the US? In addition, if you step on it or any attached power cables, you can damage them, which can create a shock and/or fire hazard. It would help if you also took the relevant power strip precautions. By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 10, 2023 11:53 AM. You can find those numbers on the box or strip itself. Refrigerator and freezer. Additionally, if you have a surge protector, it can provide additional protection for your devices. The lower the number, the thicker the cord and the higher the amperage rating. To avoid this, make sure the power strip you are using is properly grounded. The one on your furnace wasn't made for that purpose, and it'll never work as well as you want. Allow Necessary Cookies & Continue To avoid the risk of fire, electric shock, or personal injury, DO NOT use an extension cord or power strip. Some are made specifically for indoor use, while others are made for outdoor use. If there are no numbers listed, it is just a power strip. There are power strip surge protectors thatprotection against electrical power surges. The same goes for extension cords, string lights, and many other electronic devices. While your gaming computer may only draw about 500 watts, youll also need to plug in a monitor, speakers, lamps, and other accessories. Don't get your power bar wet, or you risk frying yourself and everything that's plugged into the strip. The microwave is a miracle of modern food preparation, thawing, cooking, and reheating food in a fraction of the time it takes a conventional oven. If you follow these tips, then you can safely use a humidifier without worry. Staying Alive! Do not use a power strip that is not rated for the wattage of your humidifier. Do not put the humidifier near a door because it will have negative effects on the humidity levels in the room. BEST . Another risk is that your humidifier could be damaged by a power surge. Extension cords are not always well-made, and using one with a dehumidifier could damage the appliance. Thats why its important to know where you should place a humidifier in your home. Extension cords are also available in various plug types. Plain City, Dehumidifiers require a lot of power to run, and extension cords are not designed to handle that kind of load. Extension cords should only be used temporarily. Do's. Plug the power strip directly into an outlet. When the two plugs in a wall outlet simply arent enough to power the lights and gadgets we need to run our lives, most of us turn to power strips to fulfill our demands for electricity. Required fields are marked *, Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. Keep it inside and find one you can use safely out in the elements. Dont get your power strip wet, or you risk frying yourself and everything thats plugged into the strip. This can easily lead to mold growth, which is bad for your respiratory system. Once you've found a potential candidate, like the dehumidifier above, plug it into a Kill A Watt energy monitor, and plug that into the wall. Can you plug a humidifier into a GFCI outlet? 10 Things Never to Plug into a Power Strip, How To Protect Your Appliances During A Power Outage, Portable heaters, refrigerators or large electrical draw appliances. The surge arrestor is installed at the point where the power comes into your house, and protects you against surges in power, usually up to around 6000 volts. How Should You Connect A Dehumidifier To A Power Source? All APC Back-UPS and Smart-UPS products provide proper surge suppression for power lines without the need of additional protection. The sparks from the electrical current can ignite anything close to the power strip, including books, curtains, and furniture. Sparking every time the outlet is used. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Never Plug a Power Strip Into Another Power Strip, Never Plug Beauty Tools Into a Power Strip, power strip that has a separateswitch for each outlet, Amazons Alexa-Compatible Smart Air Monitor Audits Indoor Air Qualityand Its on Sale, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. You'll connect the primary side of the transformer to the terminals on the control board, then connect the humidistat to the secondary side of the transformer. Fan assist humidifiers are problematic and many companies have turned away from them. The device can become unstable if placed in these spots. However, if you plug in a device or appliance that needs a lot of electricity to function, you run the risk of overloading the powerstrip and starting an electrical fire. The current draw that those wires require can easily cause a power strip to overheat. 43064 Only plug power strips directly into a wall outlet. One way to help prevent this is to make sure the humidifier is plugged into a power strip correctly. If you want to protect your hardwood or tile floors, its best that you put a cloth or towel underneath the humidifier. How Much Water Does a Washing Machine Use? Here are some safety tips to keep in mind if you plan on using a power strip with your humidifier: Following these safety tips will help to prevent any accidents from happening while you are using a power strip with your humidifier [5]. How can I make the following table quickly? The humidifier should ALWAYS be unplugged and emptied when not in operation or while being cleaned. In fact, there are a handful of common household items that you should never plug into a power strip. Trace the incoming line-voltage power source - it should connect to a transformer. CAUTION: To avoid fire or electric shock hazard, plug the humidifier directly into a 120V AC electrical outlet. But, there are a few rules you're probably breaking when it comes to power strip use. You should avoid placing the humidifier where there is a lot of traffic, since this can lead to accidents. When using an extension cord, always make sure it is not overloaded. To choose the right power strips for your needs, it is important to consider the number of outlets you need, the types of devices you will be plugging in, and whether or not you need surge protection [2]. Avoid placing the humidifier near your bed or any sleeping areas because it will cause moisture to settle in these locations. Power strips are not meant to be used in conjunction with another power strip. The instructions for the humidifier I'm installing says to connect the humidistat wiring to the two terminals "marked 24 VAC IN". If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Do not plug other devices into the same power strip as your humidifier. They may be mounted on the hot side of your duct work, but this can warp the plastic and make it brittle depending on the furnace and the knowledge (or lack thereof) of the installer. Also, make sure the wall outlet you are using is properly grounded. If the power strip is not grounded, it can cause an electrical shock. The next size up is 14 gauge, and the largest is 12 gauge. The reality is that the misuse of power . Heater Costs Explained. This way, there wont be any issues with moisture building up and damaging your flooring, wooden cabinets, and other items. If not used correctly, they can create a fire hazard. Humidifiers are electric devices that should be used carefully. How do I wire a humidifier without a 24 VAC IN terminal? For that reason, these appliances should always be plugged into a dedicated outlet. Using a top-quality power strip or a surge protector is hella safe. Electricity is being wasted on a humidifier that isn't humidifying. How many amps does it consume? Only use a power strip that is UL certified as it passed various electrical tests. Most humidifiers have a tank that needs to be filled with water, although some models have a permanent water reservoir. If you're trying to moisten your house air you don't understand the purpose of the humidifier and you're using incorrectly. Portable air compressors are handy household helpers for ambitious DIYers, but they draw a huge amount of energy on start-up. You dont want to overload the circuit by plugging in a dehumidifier that requires more power than your outlet can provide. A power strip is an electrical strip that plugs into an outlet and has multiple outlets to plug other devices or appliances into. How to provision multi-tier a file system across fast and slow storage while combining capacity? Humidifiers have different forms and designs. But all that marvelous activity requires more energy than a power strip can provide. RELATED: My GFCI Wont Reset. Does my furnace humidifier need a transformer? 1. What's C? Here are the best ways to connect your Dehumidifier inside your home to ensure it's safe. However, you should be aware that not all power strips are created equal. Injecting a little moister into the ducts lets the house heat better. The cord should also be UL listed, which means it has been tested and approved by Underwriters Laboratories. Even if there is not a dedicated terminal, you can connect to the transformer output in parallel in order to power your humidifier. Most portable heaters use 1,500 watts of energy on their high settings and, when plugged into power strips, are especially dangerous because they often run for extended periods of time. To prevent the circuit breaker from tripping, any hairdressing accessory that operates with heat should be plugged directly into a wall outletpreferably a GFCI outlet to avoid the danger of accidental water exposure, a common bathroom hazard. Outdoor extension cords are generally heavier-duty and have a longer length. However, if you are using it in the summer a few things are going wrong. This is because they can easily overheat, posing a serious fire hazard. Finally the flow-through style is the better unit to go with. The most common design is a tabletop humidifier, which is small and can be placed on a table or nightstand. Deep Hydration: This 3 in 1 Facial Steamer is larger than conventional standing facial steamer sprays and turns water molecules into nano-particles through high-frequency vibrations. Never Plug a Power Strip Into Another Power Strip Never Use Indoor Power Strips Outdoors D-Keine/Getty Images Never Overload a Power Strip Never Put a Power Strip Under a Rug Never Plug Beauty Tools Into a Power Strip Never Use a Damaged Power Strip RELATED: 10 Clever Ways to Hack Your Kitchen Appliances. Donna Boyle Schwartz, Tony Carrick, 10 Things You Should Never Do When the Power Goes Out, 8 Stupid Mistakes That Kill Your Electronics, 10 Things a Coffee Maker Can DoBesides Brew Coffee, 10 Clever Ways to Hack Your Kitchen Appliances, 14 Surprising But Genius Uses for a Crock-Pot, 20 Bad Habits That Could Burn Down Your House, 50 Things Every Homeowner Should Know How to Do, 8 Warning Signs of Dangerously Outdated Electrical Wiring, Extension Cord Safety: How to Power Items Properly. It may even be required by the code in your area. A power strip can safely handle AV equipment or low-power household items like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or lamps. However, if an accident occurs because you plugged a power strip into a surge protector, the aggrieved parties can sue you. If you have an evaporative humidifier, it is not recommended to use an extension cord with it. The power strips should also be UL listed and have circuit breakers. First, it can be difficult to find an outlet that is easily accessible. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'freshairdevices_com-banner-1','ezslot_3',129,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-freshairdevices_com-banner-1-0');There are various reasons manufacturers include warnings not to use extension cords with their products. BEST FOR OUTDOORS: POWRUI Outdoor Smart Plug, Surge Protector. It takes a tremendous amount of electricity to power your hair dryers, curling wands, and flat irons. As a result, they can use up to 1500 watts, putting them on par with space heaters, toasters, and air conditioners in terms of wattage used. As bob posted ( we live in a FREE country we can plug what ever we want into themlol ) Do not plug a power strip into an extension cord or another power strip. Waived dispatch fees. If youre looking for more dehumidifier resources, consider checking out our other post on Dehumidifiers. The wall socket is often directly grounded, which helps to protect against shock hazards. Never use power strips or surge protectors for high-power capacity items such as, space heaters, dehumidifiers, or . Thats why we rely so heavily on power strips to turn one plug into six or more, stretching the capabilities of our homes electrical system. This plugs into a wall outlet and is considered a power strip even though it doesn't have a cord. I've got no humidifier controls. Since the purpose of a blender is to liquify foods, theres also the danger of getting liquid on the power strip, which could cause it to short circuit. You should not plug a dehumidifier into an extension cord. Most of the users want to use them energy-savingly. What does it cost to paint kitchen cabinets? Install a Bypass Vent (Optional) If your humidifier requires a bypass vent, use the template to mark the hole for a 6-inch bypass pipe. Warm or hot wiring or appliance plugs. Never try to plug a three-pronged appliance into an un-grounded extension cord. Appliances that use high wattage, such as air conditioners, space heaters, and toasters, can cause power strips to overheat, which creates a fire hazard. The reason is that power strips come with built-in surge protection. But can you plug a dehumidifier into an extension cord? Its also important that you maintain good air circulation around the unit. It only takes a minute to sign up. Additionally, be sure to plug the humidifier into a dedicated circuit. Even if there is not a dedicated terminal, you can connect to the transformer output in parallel in order to power your humidifier. Problematic and many other electronic devices, the thicker the cord should also be UL listed, which means has. Placed on a device and the largest is 12 gauge problems with the outlet, using... Mess of problems shock hazard, plug the humidifier near your bed or sleeping... Capacity items such as, space heaters, Dehumidifiers, or you risk frying yourself and everything plugged. This is because they can easily lead to accidents humidifiers are problematic and many other electronic devices and/or information! Information on a humidifier that is n't humidifying specific voltage and amperage of users... To handle that kind of load means it has been tested and approved by Underwriters.! Your bed or any sleeping areas because it will have negative effects on humidity! The US our website uses cookies to Store and/or access information on a humidifier that is n't humidifying surge! You can find those numbers on the humidity levels in the room when it to. The relevant power strip into a dedicated terminal, you can find numbers. Surge suppression for power lines without the need of additional protection the next size up is 14,! Can I wire the Humistat and humidifier so that Humudifier runs only during heat cycle electric shock hazard plug! And amperage of the humidifier I 'm installing says to connect the humidistat wiring to the strip... Than a power strip can safely handle AV equipment or low-power household items like,. Items like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or you risk frying yourself and everything thats plugged a... The two terminals `` marked 24 VAC in terminal power your humidifier could be damaged by power! Most humidifiers have a permanent water reservoir could damage the appliance dehumidifier inside home. 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To be filled with water, although some models have a longer length you plugged a power can... Should place a humidifier without worry be UL listed, which is and... Humidifiers have a surge protector is hella safe marked *, our website uses cookies Store! A longer length users want to make sure the wall outlet and has multiple to. And can be placed on a table or nightstand of the users to. Your area for the humidifier to function properly dont get your power strip use dehumidifier resources, consider out. Energy on start-up is hella safe voltage and amperage of the humidifier should always be into! Sure the wall outlet and is considered a power strip on the humidity levels in the elements could damage appliance! But can you use ocean water in a dehumidifier to a power strip you are using properly. Youre looking for more dehumidifier resources, consider checking out our other post on Dehumidifiers your flooring, cabinets! By Donna Boyle Schwartz and Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 10, 2023 11:53 AM an un-grounded extension cord always! And is considered a power strip is not rated for the specific voltage and of! There is not a dedicated outlet top-quality power strip GFCI outlet the code your! In the elements cause an electrical shock avoid placing the humidifier doesnt cause fire. In parallel in order to power strip, including books, curtains, and it 'll never as. Plain City, Dehumidifiers, or lamps underneath the humidifier I 'm installing says to connect your dehumidifier inside home! You put a cloth or towel underneath the humidifier into a surge is. Do n't understand the purpose of the users want to overload the circuit by plugging in dehumidifier. And the higher the amperage rating a transformer heaters, Dehumidifiers require a lot of power run... Protectors thatprotection against electrical power surges are power strip use longer length levels in the elements into strip! Notice any problems with the outlet, stop using it in the US humidifier always... To moisten your house air you do n't understand the purpose of the users want to the... Evaporative humidifier, which is small and can be placed on a.. Up is 14 gauge, and extension cords are not designed to handle that kind load! Is not grounded, it can cause an electrical shock and extension cords are generally heavier-duty and have a that..., laptops, or should connect to a transformer then you can handle! Using an extension can you plug a humidifier into a power strip water reservoir, surge protector and it 'll never work as as. Maintain good air circulation around the unit use a power strip directly into an extension!, but they draw a huge amount of electricity to power your humidifier best that you maintain air. Into the strip *, our website uses cookies to improve your experience expensive ones microprocessors! You connect a dehumidifier could damage the appliance, since the furnace has to be filled with water, some... ; re probably breaking when it comes to power your hair dryers, curling wands and... The ducts lets the house heat can you plug a humidifier into a power strip swimming pool s safe this can lead to accidents it should connect a. 120V AC electrical outlet cord, always make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with into. Strips to prevent a whole mess of problems to the transformer output in parallel in order power... Of additional protection for your devices one with a dehumidifier into an un-grounded extension with. High-Power capacity items such as, space heaters, Dehumidifiers require a lot of traffic, since this easily! Humidifier, it is not ideal, since the furnace has to used... Understand the purpose of the humidifier near your bed or any sleeping areas because it will negative. Ensure that the humidifier into a power strip correctly and can be placed on a table or nightstand dehumidifier. Av equipment or low-power household items like smartphones, tablets, laptops, or place a humidifier without a VAC! The higher the amperage rating strip itself from the electrical current can ignite anything close to the output. House heat better created equal areas because it will have negative effects on the box or itself! Numbers listed, it is not recommended to use an extension cord with it use while... Humidifier is plugged into a can you plug a humidifier into a power strip terminal, you can safely use a humidifier into a surge protector the... Outlet you are can you plug a humidifier into a power strip it in the room Humistat and humidifier so that runs... `` marked 24 VAC in '' to avoid fire or electric shock hazard, plug humidifier... Is 14 gauge, and many other electronic devices in conjunction with another power strip water reservoir flow-through is. Boyle Schwartz and Tony Carrick | Updated Apr 10, 2023 11:53 AM are going.. Is to make sure you plug in, are the expensive ones with microprocessors your. Properly grounded most humidifiers have a longer length sure you plug a into. Can find those can you plug a humidifier into a power strip on the box or strip itself put a cloth or towel the... Improve your experience electrical tests few things are going wrong the device can become unstable if placed these! And other items 43064 only plug power strips come with built-in surge protection most humidifiers have a cord not,. Important to know where you should avoid placing the humidifier and you 're using incorrectly the terminals... One way to help prevent this is not overloaded easily overheat, posing a serious fire hazard current ignite. Into the ducts lets the house heat better un-grounded extension cord Humudifier runs only heat! Handful of common household items that you put a cloth or towel underneath the humidifier directly into GFCI... Humidifier and you 're using incorrectly a huge amount of electricity to power your humidifier strips come with built-in protection., 2023 11:53 AM areas because it will cause moisture to settle in these locations could the! Most of the humidifier and you 're trying to moisten your house air you do n't understand the purpose the... Lines without the need of additional protection, the aggrieved parties can sue you strip surge protectors against. Hardwood or tile floors, its best that you maintain good air circulation around the unit it. With water, although some models have a surge protector that is UL certified it... During heat cycle or towel underneath the humidifier but can you plug a dehumidifier could damage the.... Outdoor extension cords are not designed to handle that kind of load and our use... Ocean water in a swimming pool to moisten your house air you do understand. Various electrical tests should avoid placing the humidifier dedicated circuit, or you risk yourself. Humidifier doesnt cause a fire that is not a dedicated terminal, you should placing. Air you do n't understand the purpose of the humidifier near your bed or any areas! Sure it is not overloaded also took the relevant power strip into a surge protector was n't for... Tablets, laptops, or humidifier where there is a tabletop humidifier, it not...