Found near every desk, entertainment center, and kitchen countertop, power strips and surge protectors are essential to everyday life. According to Bunnell Electric, because of their ubiquity, there are some important facts you should know. For more than 35 years, these residential and commercial electricians have been trusted throughout the Cincinnati, OH, area for all types of electrical work. For your safety and convenience, they recommending adhering to the following.

Do:

Know the differences.

Although both a power strip and a surge protector offer some circuit breaker capabilities, the latter is more robust because it will help in the event of voltage spikes. These can be caused by events like power outages, lightning strikes, or circuits shorting out. When these happen, excess electricity can be transferred through and heat up the wires of any electrical work connected to it; very high voltage spikes can get hot enough to spark a fire.

Be mindful of total wattage capacity.

Even though the plugs may fit, a single power strip or surge protector may not be able to sustain numerous appliances if the total goes over the capacity. Items like microwaves and even hair dryers tend to have high wattages, so it’s better to plug them directly into an outlet to avoid shorting out the entire thing.

Don’t:

Expect them to last forever.

Just like an outlet, power strips and surge protectors can wear out. Over time, they’ll lose the ability to protect against short circuiting and voltage spikes. Certain models offer a warning in the form of an LED light or something similar, but many don’t. Keep an extra or two on hand just in case.

Place them near moisture.

Like any electrical work with exposed openings, power strips and surge protectors should never be in areas with significant moisture for the sake of safety. This means keeping them out of the bathroom and away from the kitchen sink. If you’re using them for appliances like coffee makers or electric tea kettles, position them far enough away so that an accidental spill won’t cause a problem.

If you want to cut down on how many power strips or surge protectors you’re using, the easiest solution is to have additional outlets installed. For anyone in the Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky areas who may be interested in this or other electrical work, call Bunnell Electric today at (513) 779-8778. As full-service electrical contractors, they do everything from minor repairs to major installations. Learn more about their electrical services on their website.