Extension cord and power strip safety

Question

I've heard that there are some safety and building code issues involved with using extension cords or power strips (surge protectors) for anything other than temporary use. What are the issues, and how can extension cords be used safely?

Answer 1

This is one of the biggest problem with power strips (surge protectors)...

Overload!

The average person does not think about how much power each device is drawing, or how much the system can handle, they just see an open outlet and plug stuff in. If they can't find an open outlet... Oh yeah! they make adapters for that! I mean they sell the adapters, so they must be safe... Right?

If your power strips look like this (or worse), you better at least be checking the batteries in that smoke alarm (which is hopefully not plugged into this power strip too).

If you are using the power strip (or extension cord) properly (one plug per outlet, no adapters, no daisy chaining) and you inspect the power strip for damage (wear & tear) regularly, you should not have much to fear.

Another thing to look at when using a power strip or extension cord, is the size of the wire and the voltage and amperage ratings. If you are using things like electric heaters, power tools, vacuums, etc., make sure the wire (extension cord/power strip) is the proper size to handle the above average load of these types of devices. Overloaded wire can heat up quickly and cause a fire.

Basically if you use common sense, inspect the cables for obvious damage and/or wear & tear regularly, and use the cables for their intended purpose, you should have no problems using extension cords and/or power strips.

Here is some interesting stuff from The Office of Compliance about Power Strips and Dangerous Daisy Chains.

Problems:

OSHA regulations require that conductors and electrical equipment be used in accordance with the conditions under which they are approved by a recognized testing organization (29 CFR 1910.303(a)). Most power strips are approved for providing power to a maximum of four or six individual items; however, when multiple power strips are interconnected, the one directly connected to the building outlet is often supplying power to far more than the approved number. This electrical current overload can result in a fire or can cause a circuit breaker to trip, deenergizing computers and other equipment throughout the area. The risk is magnified when another outlet in the same wall or floor receptacle is also overloaded in a similar fashion. When other outlets on the same circuit are also overloaded, the risk increases.

Extension cords are sometimes used to energize power strips in locations far from outlets. Because electrical resistance increases with increased power cord length, interconnecting cords increases the total resistance and resultant heat generation. This creates an additional risk of equipment failure and fire, particularly when paper and other combustible materials are in contact with the wires. Additionally, OSHA’s regulations allow extension cords to be used only as temporary wiring for up to 90 days. Unfortunately,once in place, extension cords tend to become permanent wiring and a fire hazard.

Solutions:

Several safe solutions exist. In many cases, a power strip energized by an extension cord or another power strip can simply be replaced by a power strip with a power cord of adequate length to reach an outlet. Other times, use of a power strip that is better able to accommodate bulkier transformer plugs solves the problem. Several factors should be considered when selecting an appropriate surge protector. Since models vary in the amount of current that they are rated to safely carry, it is important to consider the amperage requirements of the devices to be energized. Models vary in length of power cord, typically ranging from three to 15 feet. Choose one whose length is most appropriate for reaching the intended room outlet. Avoid having too much excess cord, and make sure the surge protector is set on its base. Some have swivel plugs which makes them easier to connect to the outlet, and helps to protect the plug and cord from damage. Check each surge protector to make sure it is in good condition for use.

Only power strips equipped with internal fuses are acceptable as permanent wiring. Those lacking these fuses are equivalent to extension cords, and therefore may not be used as permanent wiring. When a power strip is installed, care must be taken to ensure that it is not suspended in mid-air by its power cord or cords plugged into it, resulting in excessive stress on electrical connections.

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The National Electrical Code (NEC) has a whole article devoted to flexible cords and cables, one of the more applicable sections in this case would be 400.8.

2008 National Electrical Code

ARTICLE 400 Flexible Cords and Cables

400.8 Uses Not Permitted. Unless specifically permitted in 400.7, flexible cords and cables shall not be used for the following:
(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure
(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors
(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings
(4) Where attached to building surfaces
*Exception to (4): Flexible cord and cable shall be permitted to be attached to building surfaces in accordance with the provisions of 368.56(B)**
(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings
(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code
(7) Where subject to physical damage

*368.56(B) Cord and Cable Assemblies. Suitable cord and cable assemblies approved for extra-hard usage or hard usage and listed bus drop cable shall be permitted as branches from busways for the connection of portable equipment or the connection of stationary equipment to facilitate their interchange in accordance with 400.7 and 400.8 and the following conditions:
(1) The cord or cable shall be attached to the building by an approved means.
(2) The length of the cord or cable from a busway plug-in device to a suitable tension take-up support device shall not exceed 1.8 m (6 ft).
(3) The cord and cable shall be installed as a vertical riser from the tension take-up support device to the equipment served.
(4) Strain relief cable grips shall be provided for the cord or cable at the busway plug-in device and equipment terminations.

400.8(1) As a substitute for the fixed wiring of a structure.

400.8(2) Where run through holes in walls, structural ceilings, suspended ceilings, dropped ceilings, or floors.

400.8(3) Where run through doorways, windows, or similar openings.

400.8(4) Where attached to building surfaces.

400.8(5) Where concealed by walls, floors, or ceilings or located above suspended or dropped ceilings.

400.8(6) Where installed in raceways, except as otherwise permitted in this Code

400.8(7) Where subject to physical damage

Answer 2

If you have to join two extension cords together (for a longer reach), make sure the cables are both the appropriate gauge to handle the extra length. To prevent the ends from coming partially or fully disconnected (which can be annoying, and a possible shock/fire hazard), tie a simple knot to hold the cables together.

Keep in mind that connecting too many cords together can be a fire hazard, and make sure you are using appropriately sized cables.

Here is a good table from Home Depot for determining the minimum wire gauge recommendations for different devices and cord lengths. Buying Guides: Extension Cords.

As an example if you want to use your circular saw at 100 ft., you'll need at least 12 AWG cable. If you need to reach an extra 50 ft. (150 ft. total) and happen to have an extra 50 ft. extension cord, both cords should be at least 10 AWG.

Answer 3

Don't run an extension cord under a rug. When people walk on the rug it will rub on the cord, and over time the friction can wear through the cord's insulation, leading to arcing which can cause a fire. This is one reason AFCI breakers are recommended and/or required, as they can shut off a circuit at the first sign of arcing.

Answer 4

An extension cord is generally not fire-rated; the insulating covering over it will either sustain a fire (unlikely in most cases as they must still meet basic electrical fire codes), or release toxic chemicals when burned (more likely). Extension cords, though durable, are also not built for in-wall or under-floor installation; the insulation will after several years harden, crack and split, exposing the wire and causing a fire hazard.

However, all this means is that such wires are not designed for permanent installation into a home. As long as you use it in a manner such that the cord can be unplugged, removed and thrown away when the cord deteriorates, and you expect that to happen after some years, especially outdoors, you're fine.

Answer 5

Never put a wire through the wall. It does violate code. You can use a recessed power strip (link below). You don't have to spend $80 on it, there are a lot more that are cheaper, but the one I am linking to has a good picture of all the essential components. A kit like this is code-compliant. If you put an extension power cord through a wall, it may void homeowner insurance policy and it is a violation of fire code (I believe federally; I am not 100% sure). It is, however, unsafe regardless. Even if you think it's safe. The cord is not intended to be used inside of a wall.

Example: http://www.amazon.com/PowerBridge-TWO-PRO-6-Professional-Management-Wall-Mounted/dp/B00HIYAD58/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1445959365&sr=8-13&keywords=recessed+power+TV

Answer 6

Make sure any unused plugs are covered with a proper CSA approved plug or purchase surge protectors with covers to prevent dust from gathering inside the surge protector which can over time start a fire. Replace on a regular basis especially if you have a serious power surge in your neighbourhood. A good rule of thumb is when the warranty expires. A regular home hardware surge protector does not meet standards for large office or medical equipment. Some surge protectors do come with indicators that show you are overloading the amps on the surge protector, but this is only useful if you keep and eye on the indicator. Most surge protectors are rated for only 15 AMPS but check your unit. Some surge suppressors are rated for only 12 AMPS or less. You can look at your appliance to determine how many amps it uses. For those that do not list amps use a calculator from Google to convert watts/volts=amps. take the sum of amps from everything plugged into the unit to determine if it might be overloaded. How you can overload a surge protector is beyond me but I found some surge protectors running at almost double the recommended capacity for amps and not tripping. IE two computer systems running off of one line conditioner which had a rating of 12 amps but the total was 15.4 amps when computers were in use and another was office equipment running on a surge protector with a rating of 15 amps but the office equipment totaled 28 amps.

Answer 7

An issue that I haven't seen mentioned yet is that if an extension cord fed by a modern 20A breaker has 250A drawn through it, it will heat up less before the breaker trips than it would if it only had 50A drawn through it. A thermal fuse or thermal breaker would heat up at a rate proportional to the rate at which a wire would heat up, and would thus trip about 25 times as fast under the massive overload as under a lesser one, but modern breakers also have a secondary trip which will operate even faster under sufficient overload conditions.

If one had a string of light-duty extension cables that was long enough that each side of the line had a resistance of about an ohm and a device plugged into it failed dead shorted, a typical 20A breaker would see a 60A load and--by design--allow for the possibility that someone might have just switched on a motor with a high starting current but lower run current, and give the motor 2-10 seconds to reduce its current load before tripping. This would allow the wires to act as a 7200-watt heater during that 2-10 seconds. By contrast, if the resistance had been 0.5 ohms, the breaker would have seen a 240 amp load and shut off within 0.01 seconds.

Answer 8

Many sources put additional regulations on power strips or portable surge protectors. Factually, any power strip that plugs into a wall has all the safety concerns of the receptacle itself, plus any additional concerns brought by the power strip.

Note: I am a total novice. I went out looking for the following answer, but it didn't exist, so I had to write it myself. I can't speak to real-world safety, only the regulations I found and people's anecdotes.

I am not discussing extension cords, only power strips.

TLDR: If you can, just use more outlets and avoid power strips.

Code and law

• UL (possibly outdated) - see pp. 569 relocatable power taps XBYS https://code-authorities.ul.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/UL-White-Book.pdf
• UL does certify special hospital-grade power strips: https://code-authorities.ul.com/hospital-grade-power-strips-health-care-facility-outlet-assemblies/
• NFPA - https://www.nfpa.org/news-blogs-and-articles/blogs/2018/04/20/nfpa-1-electrical-fire-safety-and-relocatable-power-taps-power-strips-firecodefridays
• OSHA - https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/standardinterpretations/2002-11-18
• Village of Nyack, NY, Building Department: "Many power strips have a fragile internal connection that can be damaged by repeated movement or jarring by a broom or vacuum during routine cleaning or by the feet of a person under a desk. Fires can result when this connection is damaged, so it is important that a power strip be placed above the floor." https://www.nyack.gov/media/Fire%20Inspector/electricalpowerstripsafety.pdf
• NEMA: https://www.nemasurge.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/SPD-Type-Application-Considerations-Rev-Date-01-31-2013.pdf

Home inspectors

• International Association of Certified Home Inspectors https://www.nachi.org/power-strips.htm
• Claims that the UL states that power strips “have not been investigated and are not intended for use with general patient-care areas or critical patient-care areas of healthcare facilities.” I cannot find the supposed quotation.

Building management

• University of Kansas – Lawrence Campus: 50% of campus fires in 2014-2019 were caused by these devices. https://ehs.ku.edu/sites/ehs/files/files/Lab%20Safety/Electrical%20Extension%20cords%20and%20Power%20Strips_EHSFinal12032019_accessible.pdf In the view of the State Fire Marshal, surge protectors/suppressors which are not equipped with overcurrent protection are considered a multi-plug extension cord and cannot supply electrical service to other equipment, a relocatable power strip or an extension cord.
• Joint Commission - Voluntary regulatory body for many US hospitals - https://www.jointcommission.org/standards/standard-faqs/home-care/environment-of-care-ec/000001260/
• University of California SF: https://safety.ucsf.edu/relocatable-power-taps-or-strips

Insurers

MEMIC workers' compensation insurance: https://www.memic.com/workplace-safety/safety-net-blog/knowledge-trip-on-the-power-strip

Uncited & Anecdotal Evidence

Safe power strip has a 15 amp circuit breaker, no protector parts, and a UL 1363 listing. What in this entire discussion is the greatest threat to human life? Those five cent protector parts.

If a power strip with protector parts is found in your luggage, a cruise ship will confiscate it. They take fire threats far more seriously.

Then one learn from professionals. A plug-in protector is Type 3. Professionals say it must be more than 30 feet from a breaker box and earth ground. So that it does not try to do much protection. To avert this.

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You can find a ton of pages like these by searching "nec power strip safe".