With the rise of home offices and gaming setups, many people resort to daisy-chaining power strips to get more outlets. However, this practice is highly dangerous and can lead to overheating, electrical fires, and tripped breakers. Plugging one power strip into another does not increase electrical capacity; instead, it forces the first strip to carry the combined load of all devices connected downstream.
If the first strip is already near its maximum amp rating, adding another strip can cause resistive heating, melting the casing and potentially igniting nearby flammable materials. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) explicitly warns against this arrangement, as extension cords and power strips have their own limits. If a single strip trips the breaker, it is a warning sign that the electrical load is too high.
Instead of daisy-chaining, use a strip with more outlets, a longer cord, or distribute devices across different wall outlets. Avoid plugging high-power appliances like space heaters, microwaves, or refrigerators into power strips, as they can easily overload the system. Surge protectors also do not increase capacity and should not be daisy-chained.
Always inspect strips for damage and never attempt to repair them with electrical tape.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing