Electrical question

[Abbey Marie]

@Gunny, and others: is it ok to plug a surge protector into an extension cord, instead of directly into an outlet?

thanks!

[Bilgerat]

@Gunny, and others: is it ok to plug a surge protector into an extension cord, instead of directly into an outlet?

thanks!

You could, but why?

[Balu]

@Gunny, and others: is it ok to plug a surge protector into an extension cord, instead of directly into an outlet?

thanks!

The only restriction is - the surge protector (fuse) must be placed before the consuming device (load) in the circuit.

[Gunny]

@Gunny, and others: is it ok to plug a surge protector into an extension cord, instead of directly into an outlet?

thanks!

Depends on what you are plugging in. You should use a surge protector for electronics. Unless you like replacing them. AN electrical surge will destroy electronics in a second. Mine are on a separate outlet from anything else and check your ground. Electricity goes to ground. While it looks all whacky in the sky. it seeks the shortest route to ground and has a predetermined path before you ever see it.

A surge protector with a fuse that shuts down is worth the extra coin.

What you are looking to do is not overload your amperage. That trips the breaker. In layman's terms ,,, don't put your bathroom heater, hair dryer on the same breaker. Anything that is a heating device uses a lot of amperage.

[Balu]

An example:

[Abbey Marie]

You could, but why?

Daughter has a sparking outlet, so she wants to run an extension cord to a different outlet to plug in a portable heater.

[aboutime]

Personally Abbey. I wouldn't recommend doing that. It sort of defeats the purpose of the surge protection that would eliminate overloads, or sudden surges from the FUSE BOX. And it would protect whatever you are using from Lightening Strikes as well.
I suppose you could do it, but you need to know if the surge protector isn't working properly as well. Using an extension cord may defeat that.

Otherwise. Why would you need to do it in the first place?
I am not an electrician, but familiar with the use, and safety aspects.

[aboutime]

Daughter has a sparking outlet, so she wants to run an extension cord to a different outlet to plug in a portable heater.

Abbey. A SPARKING OUTLET? Is your FIRE INSURANCE paid up?

Do you have SMOKE DETECTORS?

Not joking, but it sounds like you have more problems than wondering about a surge protector.

[Little-Acorn]

@Gunny, and others: is it ok to plug a surge protector into an extension cord, instead of directly into an outlet?

thanks!

Yes, it is.

The surge protector undoubtedly has a three-prong plug, and the extension cord must have the same on both ends. Don't use an adapter.

[Little-Acorn]

Daughter has a sparking outlet, so she wants to run an extension cord to a different outlet to plug in a portable heater.

JESUS H. CHRIST!!!!

Fix that "sparking outlet" immediately or sooner!!!

If your car had flames coming out from under the hood, you'd fix that wouldn't you? And NOT drive the car until you did???

[Balu]

Daughter has a sparking outlet, so she wants to run an extension cord to a different outlet to plug in a portable heater.

Do repair or get repaired an outlet first!
There are poor contacts there.

[Gunny]

Yes, it is.

The surge protector undoubtedly has a three-prong plug, and the extension cord must have the same on both ends. Don't use an adapter.

Hard to tell without actually looking. She lives in the NE. Old or new house? Those old houses are wired all kinds of screwy and they used to use the neutral as the ground. Most are 2 prong.

I'm just tossing out basic info. First rule of thumb in both the military and electrical work is "situation".

Not to mention I HATE residential service work because you never know which whackadoodle you're going behind. I've seen some mind-boggling do it yourself crap. It ain't no fun getting hit because of a goofball.

Basic rule of thumb is as I said ... don't overload your amps.

[Balu]

Abbey,
Another hint.
If everything is OK with your electricity, all the outlets and forks must be cool when appliances connected via them are in operation.

[Gunny]

Abbey,
Another hint.
If everything is OK with your electricity, all the outlets and forks must be cool when appliances connected via them are in operation.

You don't have a clue what you are talking about.

[NightTrain]

Daughter has a sparking outlet, so she wants to run an extension cord to a different outlet to plug in a portable heater.

Yikes! Huge fire hazard! I trust that she killed that outlet via the circuit breaker, right?

And, yes, plugging a surge protector into an extension cord is just fine.