Is this a fire/shock hazard?
Question:I have 2 "power strips" plugged into my wall but I need them on the opposite side of my room from where the outlets are so I bought a big heavy duty orange extension cord. My plan is to buy another "power strip" and plug it into the extension cord so I can use like 6 things on the other side of my room. But my problem is I have nowhere to plug the extension cord in...[no, i can't spare unplugging anything!] UNLESS I plug it into one of my already present "strips" but I dunno if that's dangerous. In other words, can you plug a power strip into the wall, then an extension cord into the power strip, and then ANOTHER power strip into the extension cord?
Answers:
Leecompound is right. Extension cords aren't meant for the kind of use you're describing. And like Matthew C said, most "heavy duty" extension cords are not rated to handle the kind of current you're pulling through them. At the very least, you want to get a cord marked "14 AWG" (American wire gauge), though 12 is better (the copper wire is thicker and thus can handle more electrical current going through it).
If you need this many receptacles and cannot compromise, it's probably best to call an electrician and have him add a new receptacle or two for you. If you haven't had a problem with any circuit breakers tripping, he won't even need to add a new circuit; he can just extend the current circuit to new receptacles. (In other words, it can be done fairly inexpensively; likely under $200.)
If you're OK with extension cords here there and everywhere, it sounds like you wouldn't mind a little wiremold (you know, this sort of thing: http://www.wiremold.com/www/consumer/pro... on your walls. If you don't mind wiremold, an electrican can add a number of new receptacles for you really inexpensively. The hard and expensive part of adding new receptacles is finding ways to run the wire through the inside of your walls. If you allow him to just run wiremold on the outside if your walls, it can be a piece of cake.
AT THE VERY LEAST, get rid of the first power strip and replace it with a 6-outlet splitter that you can secure directly to the wall receptacle. (Like this one: http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stor... Then you can limit your set-up to maybe just one power strip.
It would be the same as plugging one power strip into the other. As long as you use the orange extension, I don't see a problem.
Most "heavy duty" cords are not that heavy duty. Some extension cords have a number 16 or 14 wire inside them, which is very small. If you are going to be running a substantial amount of things from the other side of the room, you may want to check into getting an electrician to add an outlet. It should not be that expensive, and it is easy to do. The longer you string something out, the more likely something can go wrong.
this is not very safe. you will blow the circuit and that is a warning that it is overloaded, yes you can unplug some stuff. think of life before electricity was discovered
all power strips have a Breaker button on them, If the load is to much the power strip will turn off. you might over load the main circuit breaker in the home to. It's not a danger but you should plug and unplug as you need things. If your cooking in your room, That can be a danger. Be careful.
Extension cords are only intended for temporary solutions. You should not plug and extension cord into a power strip to plug in another power strip. You are asking for trouble. You know how you always hear how fires are electrical? Well that is deceiving. Most of the time it is someone plugging too much into one outlet and overloading it causing a fire. Get a electrician to come out and put an outlet where you need one. You might want to check out Article 590 on Temporary Installations.
yes but the more things you plug in you risk tripping the reset button on the power strip 12 places to plug into I am a electrician and don't have that much plugged in
Extension cords are not permitted to be used in place of permanent wiring. That is what the national electric code says. When you plug one power strip into another, the second one is considered an extension cord. The reason that article is in the code is because of the fires and electrocutions extension cords have caused. No real electrician is going to tell you what you are doing is ok. And no fire department is going to allow you to do what you mentioned. Call an electrician. Have him or her install a receptacle outlet on the other side of the room. The answer you got about surface raceway (wiremold) is correct. You can then use a power strip for computer or entertainment system components.
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