It is unfortunate that many new homes and offices are still designed with the power needs of the 1940’s and 1950’s in mind. Let us not forget that many are still inhabiting homes and offices from that generation or even earlier. Couple the building with today’s power needs, and you find danger is easily found under every desk. Consider, an average office worker needs of a computer, monitor, printer; then compound with possible additions of comfort and work – of a scanner, speakers, lamps, fans, space heaters, coffee warmers, etc., the average wall two outlet is quickly over matched. To accommodate their needs most people will use power strips and at time use power strips upon power strips. Overtaxing a power strip is dangerous. Surge protectors, power strips, or extension cords are not a substitute for permanent wiring.

Professionally Installed Outlets
The safest way to supply your power needs is to add additional outlets, and this can only be done by a professional, licensed electrician. The professional, licensed electrician will not only provide more outlets, but will assure power is balanced in the panel. If you have ever had a breaker switch go off, you know the necessity of having professionally installed panel.

• If at any time the power strip is hot to the touch remove and call a licensed electrician for more addressing the overload.
• Any power strip that does not have an internal circuit breaker, has frayed wires, or has a unit that is not working properly, should not be used.
• Do not plug a power strip into an existing or power strip. This practice is called “daisy chaining” or “piggy backing” and can lead to serious problems.
• All surge protectors or power strips need to be UL (Underwriters Laboratory) or ETL (Electrical Testing Laboratories) approved. The UL or ETL label must never be removed from the unit.
• There should only be one surge protector or power strip plugged into a single duplex electrical outlet.
• When the surge protector or plug strip is not in use, unplug the unit.
• The surge protector or power strips should always have either a polarized plug with one of the blades being larger then the other one or a three-prong grounded plug. Never use a three to two prong adapter to power the unit.
• Surge protectors or power strips should have a cord of no more than 6 feet in length.