During winter, one item that becomes quite popular to plug into a power strip is the space heater. Unplug the space heater you’re done using it. Pinterest Below are safety tips for using your space heater that will keep you and your family warm this winter: Electrocution Lawyers, PLLC | Jeffrey H. Feldman. General-purpose circuits will serve more than one outlet, usually with one circuit per room. CHARLES: Right. As temperatures continue to drop in metro Atlanta, be sure to heed warnings from fire officials to avoid plugging in space heaters into an extension cord or a power strip. Place the heater in a dry area where there is no moisture. A Fire Department Weighs In. Don’t run space heater’s power cord under a rug or carpet. A social media post from a fire department that warns about plugging space heaters into power strips is making the rounds once again. A fire department in Oregon is warning everyone about the dangers of plugging a space heater into a power strip. This is such a serious public safety threat that both the National Fire Protection Association and the Consumer Product Safety Commission urge people to never power a space heater with a power strip. Fire dept. WATCH: Dog Alerts Sleeping Family to Fire in House Besides, I would think plugging into a surge protector would be safer and not trip the breaker. Residents should plug their space heaters directly into the wall, and always keep an eye on it when it's in use. Then I had to repair his wall socket. So it’s really easy to draw past that power and depending on where the weak link is like if it’s in the heater cord or the power strip, or it’s in the wiring in the home, … Facebook An overcurrent protective device at your home’s main electrical panel shuts down power before any damage can occur during an overload – usually, it does this by tripping a circuit breaker. The Belkin WeMo Switch, one of the more popular smart outlets, is rated at handling a max power draw of 1,800 watts, and anything more than that would likely trip the breaker anyway. The heating element inside a space heater can reach temperatures ranging from 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The Professional Firefighters of Wisconsin Charitable Foundation Group says power strips are not designed to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater … Circuit breakers, sometimes called fuses, limit your power usage to a level that the wiring system can safely handle. Here’s something very few people know about power strips. Place the space heater at least 3 feet from any items that could possibly burn. Plus, many space heaters have specific manufacturer's instructions, like only plugging them directly into a wall outlet. All rights reserved. With that kind of power strip the advice is bullshit. A space heater was blamed for causing a house fire with $80,000 in damage on Sunday, November 25 in Ogden. Most space heaters that you plug into a traditional outlet draw 1,500 watts of power, at most. Turning off lights and unplugging other devices can reduce the load on the circuit and prevent the breaker or fuse from tripping. — A warning about space heaters as cooler weather settles in. Read on to find out. Can You Plug Your Space Heater Into A Power Strip? This room is an add on room, made in the 80's. Whatcom Fire District 14 is sharing a warning on Facebook from an Oregon fire district to never plug a space heater into a power strip. Space heaters can be used if you use them safely. Learn 10 Ways to Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls at Home. Space heaters are high-voltage appliances and can even overheat power strips. Keep space heaters three feet away from anything that can burn. A space heater is essentially a portable water radiator that has to be plugged into an outlet to work. The circuit Circuit breakers, sometimes called fuses, limit your power usage to a level that the wiring system can safely handle. Aslani and Dehghanian set up a Verify demo, to test how much juice a power strip could handle. These units are not designed to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater and can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow.” Umatilla County Fire District #1 in Hermiston, Oregon . The heat that comes off of the outer shell is what heats the space. The result is that the power strip is going to overheat, and not just a little bit. 99. There are a couple of reasons why it happens. The electrical current heats coils inside the space heater, which heats the liquid and then the outer shell. Do not use an extension cord with an electric space heater. Sadly, space heaters in general (whether they’re plugged into a power strip or not) pose significant safety risks that most people are not aware of: “Space heaters accounted for more than two in five (44%) of home heating equipment fires, but these fires were responsible for 86% of civilian deaths and 78% of civilian injuries caused by heating fires.” (Source: National Fire Protection Association, “Home Fires Involving Heating Equipment,” December 2018). The Belkin WeMo Switch, one of the more popular smart outlets, is rated at handling a max power draw of 1,800 watts, and anything more than that would likely trip the breaker anyway. Space heater safety is very important because they can short circuit and potentially start fires and burn you. If you’ve run into this issue, you may be wondering what’s going on and how to get actual heat out of your unit without having to constantly reset the circuit breaker. Plug Directly into an Outlet. The one exception to this rule is a surge protector that has an on and off switch. That being said, heating equipment is the second leading cause of home fires in the United States. These can’t always handle the amount of power required and can become a safety hazard, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. TOM: The reason for that is because the outlets that are in the bedrooms are probably 15-amp outlets … CHARLES: Oh. A Fire Department Weighs In. A propane space heater is the only type of space heater that doesn’t use electricity as a power source. They are not designed to manage the electrical power that space heaters use. You need to look at the situation and determine why it is tripped or call a professional. Space heaters suck up a whole lot of power out of the system, and generally speaking, it’s more current than any power strip can handle. If your space heater is continually overloading a general-purpose circuit, you may want to switch it to a dedicated one. The circuit Here’s some more explanation: Extension cords usually can’t handle high current. An overcurrent protective device at your home’s main electrical panel shuts down power before any damage can occur during an overload – usually, it does this by tripping a circuit breaker. Cadet Manufacturing White 05532 120-Volt Baseboard Hardwire Electric Zone Heater, 750-Watt, 6.25-Amp, 36-Inch. On the low setting, the space heater’s current draw can be reduced by as much as 60%, further reducing the load on a circuit. Plus, many space heaters have specific manufacturer's instructions, like only plugging them directly into a wall outlet. Just because space heaters and power strips can’t be used together in tandem does not mean folks should abandon them as sources during cold, wintery days. $92.00 $ 92. https://www.readersdigest.ca/home-garden/tips/space-heaters-power-strips Smart Outlets Can Handle the Load. Overheating the Circuit . Available everywhere from home improvement stores to your local drug store, power strips are thought by many people to be safe for everyday use. The Electrical Safety Foundation International says space heaters can overheat a power strip, as well as an extension cord, and ... Don’t locate them in high traffic areas, or anyplace they might be a tripping hazard. We recently received a customer question about this, so here are a few tips on how to handle it yourself. We just wanted to remind you that you should NEVER plug a heater into a power strip… It's the only item plugged into the outlet. Many space heaters have high and low settings. TOM: The reason for that is because the outlets that are in the bedrooms are probably 15-amp outlets … CHARLES: Oh. “You should never plug a heater into a power strip. As temperatures continue to drop in metro Atlanta, be sure to heed warnings from fire officials to avoid plugging in space heaters into an extension cord or a power strip. Warren Fire Department wants everyone to have a warm home and work center, but safety needs to be addressed to ensure the protection and security of everyone this season. When it gets cold outside this winter, make sure not to plug your space heater into a power strip. Available everywhere from home improvement stores to your local drug store, power strips are thought by many people to be safe for everyday use. Space heaters require a great deal of electricity to generate their heat, and as social media has been reminding us this week, power strips aren't made to handle the current necessary for it. Maintain a 36-inch minimum distance between any heat producing appliance and combustibles. : Space heaters and power strips do not mix The Umatilla County Fire District #1 reminded its community in a Facebook post to never plug space heaters into power strips By FireRescue1 Staff Use Only With Supervision. Doing so can cause your power strip to overheat, creating a real fire hazard. Power strips and extension cords are not equipped to … Are power strips safer than extension cords? According to fire officials, these devices are not designed to handle the energy load of a space heater and can overheat, and even catch fire. With an older power strip, a low quality one, or one that has been damaged it's possible that overloading it will cause a fire. A lot of space heaters should always be plugged into a wall socket directly or they arch and the cord or power bar can melt. While a power strip can be an excellent source of additional electricity, most users don’t pay … When the power demand exceeds how much a circuit can handle, the breaker snaps and shuts it down. My friend used a power strip to plug in his refrigerator, burned up his power strip. Consequently, this extreme heat gets transferred back down to the power strip, causing it to overheat and potentially catch fire. With that kind of power strip the advice is bullshit. We just wanted to remind you that you should NEVER plug a heater into a power strip… The #1 thing you need to know about space heaters and power strips is to not mix the two! Space Heater, Power Strip, Cords and Fire Safety. Some websites say to plug it directly into the wall but I need it closer. These tend to be labeled on your circuit breaker box. Power strips are for computers, TVs and such. Do not use an extension cord or power strip, which could overheat and result in a fire. 4.0 out of 5 stars 43. CHARLES: Right. A propane space heater is the only type of space heater that doesn’t use electricity as a power source. "The weather is getting colder, and people are pulling out their space heaters. These units are not designed to handle the high current flow needed for a space heater and can overheat or even catch fire due to the added energy flow.” Umatilla County Fire District #1 in Hermiston, Oregon . Space Heater Receptacle Outlet Problem. If you find this works, then you may not need to switch to a dedicated circuit. Can Earbuds Shock You: What You Need To Know, Electric Shock Compensation Claim: What You Need To Know, Hot Tub Electrocution: What You Need To Know. Because power strips and extension cords are not equipped to handle the extra current that is required to power a space heater, they can overheat and cause a fire. Plus, many space heaters have specific manufacturer's instructions, like only plugging them directly into a wall outlet. A social media post from a fire department that warns about plugging space heaters into power strips is making the rounds once again. “You should never plug a heater into a power strip. Some websites say to plug it directly into the wall but I need it closer. Run an orange extension cord to power your space heater from an unused bedroom. Plug space heaters directly into a wall receptacle. You cannot – under any circumstances – safely plug a space heater into a multi-outlet power strip. A space heater is essentially a portable water radiator that has to be plugged into an outlet to work. Do not leave the space heater on while you sleep. This Romper article explores a question many consumers might have; space heater safety standards advise never to plug a space heater into an extension cord, but what about a surge protected power strip? While a power strip can be an excellent source of additional electricity, most users don’t pay much attention to the warnings or the directions regarding use. Nearly half of all space heater fires involve electric space heaters Heaters. The F.E. Circuit power loads can be redistributed around the house, but it’s not an easy do-it-yourself project. You may want to consider calling up your local electrician and discussing the installation of a new circuit. That said, you should never plug a space heater into a surge protector, power strip, or extension cord. Space Heaters and Power Strips. It’s rule No. Twitter Make sure you have smoke detectors and that they work properly. I unplugged one heater before resetting the breaker. A single space heater … These are the kinds of circuits many folks use for their portable space heaters, and that’s the beginning of the problem. I bought a new space heater and after about 10 minutes the trip on the surge protector shuts it off. Both organizations as well as fire safety professionals across the country advise that if people are going to use space heaters to warm their homes during winter – which is a perfectly reasonable thing to do – then they should plug their space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Power strips and extension cords are not equipped to … Never use a power strip to plug in a space heater unless you want a tripped circuit breaker. 10 Things Never to Plug into a Power Strip No matter where you live—house, apartment, dorm room, mobile home—one factor remains constant: There never seem to be enough power outlets. When a space heater trips the circuit breaker, that is a warning signal for you. The first thing you’ll need is a basic knowledge of how circuits work, and why they sometimes suddenly stop. As their photo of a charred power strip shows, the implications can be disastrous. Instead, it uses liquid propane (LP) to fuel its operation. Author: Dawn Kendrick Published: 11:46 PM EST November 13, 2017 4.4 out of 5 stars 235. Can You Plug Your Space Heater Into A Power Strip? With newer power strips drawing too much power will just trip the internal breaker, so you're just left with a minor inconvenience instead of a fire. I bought a new space heater and after about 10 minutes the trip on the surge protector shuts it off. If the closest dedicated circuit is hard to reach, extension cords and power strips aren’t a good solution. With an older power strip, a low quality one, or one that has been damaged it's possible that overloading it will cause a fire. Instead, it uses liquid propane (LP) to fuel its operation. Always keep an eye on the space heater while it powered on and, thus, plugged into the wall outlet. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. TOM: … and the space heater is drawing a lot more power than that. Every winter, we hear from fire chiefs and the media warning about space heaters and power strips along with reporting on tragedies where people have suffered fires in their homes because their space heaters overloaded and, thus, overheated their power strips, causing a fire to erupt. Since propane space heaters use fuel, this makes them the most portable space heaters you can buy. Because of the large amounts of electrical current that space heaters draw, don’t plug other devices into the same wall outlet as the space heater. The electrical overload Power strips are not designed or equipped to safely handle the energy load and extra electrical current flow that a space heater generates. Space heaters usually consume upward of 1,000 watts, making them the kind of appliance that requires a dedicated circuit – not a general one. Read on to find out. The heat that comes off of the outer shell is what heats the space. In fact, more than 65,000 home fires are attributed to heating equipment every single year, according to ESFi. Goodman HKR-10C Auxiliary Heat Strip 10Kw with Circuit Breaker. Power strips are a highly sought after commodity. Besides, I would think plugging into a surge protector would be safer and not trip the breaker. Remember that power strips are not surge protectors, but even still, many space heaters come with specific instructions, often to plug them only directly into the socket. Space heaters must be plugged directly into a wall outlet, which can handle a higher wattage, and should be the only item plugged into that wall outlet. CHARLES: But when you plug in the space heater, it shuts down all the power. Smart Outlets Can Handle the Load. The risk of this depends on how new and how high quality your power strip is. One Oregon fire department recently pointed out on Facebook that residents should never ever plug a space heater into a power strip. Do not plug space heaters into multiple outlet strips. The dangers of space heaters and powerstrips. Just google “space heater + power strip,” and you will see what we meant. $65.99 $ 65. Upon the first reset attempt, I heard some buzzing, heard the snap of an obvious arc possibly emanating from my home office area. Umatilla County Fire District #1 … "The weather is getting colder, and people are pulling out their space heaters. TOM: … and the space heater is drawing a lot more power than that. Just google “space heater + power strip,” and you will see what we meant. This means spots like your fridge, laundry machines, large electric furnaces, electric ranges, and microwaves. Since propane space heaters use fuel, this makes them the most portable space heaters you can buy. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Most space heaters that you plug into a traditional outlet draw 1,500 watts of power, at most. CHARLES: But when you plug in the space heater, it shuts down all the power. Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater. Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. When a number of devices are connected to the same circuit and running simultaneously, it can exceed the capacity of the electrical wiring. Posted 12-06-2017 12:00 AM in ESFI in the News. If you plan to use portable electric space heaters, power strips, or extension cords, make sure to follow these tips and recommendations. Never use an extension cord or power strip to power space heaters because they can overheat and cause a fire. At Paul Davis, we recommend that you never plug a space heater, even a small one, into a power strip, as power strips are not designed to handle the energy load of this appliance. 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