Wall Outlets and Outlet Strips

Are Outlet Plug Strips Safe to Use? How to Use Surge Protection Outlet Plug Strips. By: Dave Rongey

Selecting a Safe Outlet Strip
[ad#block] Electrical Question: Are outlet plug strips safe to use?

In my office I have four wall outlets. This office is on one 20Amp circuit breaker. If every thing in my office is on and being used I’m over the 20 Amps. But not all things are being used at the same time. Can I use outlet strips? If so what type should I use?

This electrical wiring question came from: Kim, from North Canton, Ohio.

Dave’s Reply:
Thanks for your electrical wiring question Kim.

How to Use Surge Protection Outlet Strips

• I recommend a good quality UL approved outlet strip that has a built in circuit breaker, typically a round button type that can be reset.
• Because this circuit is shared with other office equipment I would urge you to consider a plug strip that provides protection against voltage surges.

More about Plug Strips and Surge Protection

Home Office Electrical Wiring

Electrical Outlets

Plug In Power Strips with Surge Protection

Surge Protection at the Point of Use

Point of use products provide a second line of defense. Homeowners can reinforce the protection provided by a point-of-entry protection device by installing surge protectors (strips) and low-voltage surge suppressors.

Surge protectors plug into grounded wall receptacles where sensitive electronic equipment is located. These devices defend electronic components against surges from outside, and internally generated transient events (surges) that travel through AC power lines. Low-voltage surge suppressors defend electronic components against surges from outside, and internally generated transient events (surges) that travel through phone, data, and coaxial lines. These plug-in protectors generally have much lower limiting voltages than entry protectors, and provide better protection for electronic equipment.

office electrical

• Home Office Wiring Electrical
• Home electrical wiring diagram for the home office.
• Learn about the electrical codes required when wiring your home office with your new or remodel project.

You identified your project to be about Outlet Wiring, so you might find this information useful:
Outlet Wiring

Wiring Electrical Outlets
Home electrical wiring includes 110 volt outlets and 220 volt outlets and receptacles which are common place in every home. See how wiring electrical outlets for the home are done.

The following may also be helpful for you:

Dave's Guide to Home Electrical Wiring: » You Can Avoid Costly Mistakes! « Here's How to Do It: Wire It Right with the help of my Illustrated Wiring Book Great for any Home Wiring Project. Complete Guide to Home Electrical Wiring Perfect for Homeowners, Students, Handyman, Handy Women, and Electricians Includes: Wiring GFCI Outlets Wiring Home Electric Circuits 120 Volt and 240 Volt Outlet Circuits Wiring Light Switches Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Electric Range Wiring 3-Wire and 4-Wire Dryer Cord and Dryer Outlet How to Troubleshoot and Repair Electrical Wiring Wiring Methods for Upgrading Electrical Wiring NEC Codes for Home Electrical Wiring ....and much more. Learn more about Home Electrical Wiring with my Online Video Course: Basic Home Electrical Wiring by Example

Be Careful and Be Safe - Never Work on Energized Circuits!
Consult your Local Building Department about Permits and Inspections for all Electric Wiring Projects.

Electrical Tips to Help You Wire it Right The Safest Way to Test Electrical Devices and Identify Electric Wires! The Non-Contact Electrical Tester This is a testing tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and is the first test tool I grab to help identify electrical wiring. It is a Non-contact tester that I use to easily Detect Voltage in Cables, Cords, Circuit Breakers, Lighting Fixtures, Switches, Outlets and Wires. Simply insert the end of the tester into an outlet, lamp socket, or hold the end of the tester against the wire you wish to test. Very handy and easy to use. The Quickest Way to Check for Faulty Electrical Wiring! The Plug-In Outlet Tester This is the first tool I grab to troubleshoot a problem with outlet circuit wiring. This popular tester is also used by most inspectors to test for power and check the polarity of circuit wiring. It detects probable improper wiring conditions in standard 110-125 VAC outlets Provides 6 probable wiring conditions that are quick and easy to read for ultimate efficiency Lights indicate if wiring is correct and indicator light chart is included Tests standard 3-wire outlets UL Listed Light indicates if wiring is incorrect Very handy and easy to use. Strip Off Wire Insulation without Nicking and Damaging the Electric Wire! The Wire Stripper and Wire Cutter My absolute favorite wire stripping tool that I have had in my personal electrical tool pouch for years, and this is the tool I use to safely strip electrical wires. This handy tool has multiple uses: The wire gauges are shown on the side of the tool so you know which slot to use for stripping insulation. The end of the tool can be used to grip and bend wire which is handy for attaching wire onto the screw terminals of switches and outlets.. The wire stripper will work on both solid and stranded wire. This tool is Very Handy and Easy to Use.

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