TRC 14650006-6 Shockshield White GFCI Plug with Surge Protection, Prefect for Power Tools, Portable Compact Size, Prevents Unmonitored Equipment Startup, Ideal for Indoor Use, 120V/15A You want to be mindful of how many things you are plugging in, and what they are. Stack Exchange network consists of 176 Q&A communities including Stack Overflow, the largest, most trusted online community for developers to learn, share their knowledge, and build their careers. You can find the highest rated extension cords and have them shipped overnight starting at $6.48. Robotechnics & Space Missions; Why is the physical presence of people in spacecraft still necessary? Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers. This will dump spikes on the line and from other branch circuits that may generate spikes but will not protect fully if a motor load is on the same branch circuit. Should the first bin of a 3 bin compost system be bigger than the other two? The distance between the 2 sockets of a GFCI outlet are different then for a plain outlet, so a multi-plug adaptor won't fit. Simply press the test button and this will trigger a snap sound which indicates that the outlet has tripped. We were just cleaning up, using some wire ties and what not. My kitchen has four appliances plugged "full-time" into an outlet using three-way splitters: a grinder for regular coffee, a grinder for decaf, a can opener, and a coffee maker. A properly designed surge suppressor shouldn't leak enough current to be a problem, under normal circumstances. I'm not sure what the failure modes are, but if one of them starts leaking more than its spec calls for that too could trigger the GFCI. Is it safe? I plug in multiple computers into some of these outlets and use power strips to do this, but it seems there might be a problem occasionally with this. Home Improvement Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for contractors and serious DIYers. Not necessarily. If the outlet is not working properly it can be as irritating as if the outlet wasn't present. I wished I had an answer. Ideally, the answer will provide specific technical knowledge on the design/functioning of these 2 components and explanatory/theoretical knowledge explaining why they might interact negatively. Can You Plug a Surge Protector Into an Extension Cord? 6. Needing to plug a device in when there is no outlet nearby is a frustrating experience most people can relate to. Then there is the GFI function? Interestingly, even the way you plug a cord or an appliance into an outlet can determine if you see a spark. Extension cords in a business are not legal because it's temporary use only. Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience. I have a GFCI outlet in my kitchen where I would like to plug in more than two things. Also try using less computers and devices on one circuit. How can I add a GFCI receptacle on a circuit with split receptacles? @cbmeeks: maybe read the hover text of the downvote button. I don't have any and I can't just have one installed (I live in an apartment not sure how I would go about having that done). The electrician told our head custodian that it wasn't good to use surge-protected strips with gfci and I'm wondering if this is the problem and if so is there some way to mitigate it. There are typically three wires connected to a GFCI plug: they are white, black, and a bare metal grounding wire. You can find a complete explanation on the internet. If you are unsure of whether connecting a power strip to an extension cord is a plausible solution in your particular situation, or if you have experienced any sparking or blowing of fuses, you should contact a professional electrician for help. GFCI tester is tripping 15A breaker in panel; outlets on circuit do not appear to be GFCI outlets - is this a problem? Can one build a "mechanical" universal turing machine? Identify location (and painter) of old painting. Coleman Cable 04644 4-Outlet GFCI Power Strip, 15-Amp, Workshop Rated, 6-Foot 4.4 out of 5 stars 93. 2) Kitchen receptacles are split. The instructor (not employed by OSHA – he’s an independent safety consultant) said that if one were to plug an outlet strip (one containing a built in gfci) into a gfci outlet, the gfci’s would cancel each other out and that the circuit would not be interrupted in the event of a short. LaTeX \newcommand recursion gets very slow. Does the multi-plug tap connect the top and bottom back together again? Could 1950s technology detect / communicate with satellites in the solar system? 99 This question is merely a call to speculation about a fuzzy situation with no details at all given to suggest anything about what is going on. The ground prong on the cord is there because surge protectors divert excess current to ground during a surge. It can be an accumulation of multiple devices. Again, though, that's the GFCI working as designed and telling you that the surge suppressor is no longer trustworthy. UL does not let you plug one power strip into another. So a +1 from me....I'd actually like to know the answer. Has nothing to do with common sense as someone put as an answer. Just the 4 slots. More about Electrical Outlets. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy. If too many appliances start at the same time?? It seems that there might be a negative interaction between the surge-protected power strips and the gfci e.g. One will say ‘test’ and one will say ‘reset’. Nothing is in the circle plug. Edit: Before posting this question I spent ~30 minutes searching E-SE site for any information on possible interaction between these two components, to no avail. With no ground you still need a GFCI. Yes, it can get wet on a kitchen counter, but... it's plugged into a GFCI! A GFCI is really a quite simple thing. Yes, as long as the device you're plugging into the end of the extension cord has a 2-prong plug. Thanks for contributing an answer to Home Improvement Stack Exchange! Did the actors in All Creatures Great and Small actually have their hands in the animals? You all gave good answers. I'm assuming this is probably frowned upon, but would it be functional? Also, this school year I can do some trouble-shooting about devices/insulation issues, thanks @Charles-Cowie. Just to be safe, I would just plug the coffee grinder elsewhere, or run another 12/3 line to the panel. The spark that you were seeing is the result of electrical current flow because the laptop power supply was sending energy to the components right away. It has a refrigerator plugged into it, but nothing else that runs constantly. You can tell these outlets from a non-GFCI outlet because they will have two buttons in the middle, red and black. Make sure you plug this into the generator itself, NOT a receptacle … and one is for not being clear what the question is. As ehsjr said "the only thing you can do for PC protection is install point of use surge protectors". I just can… Note: Some outlets will enable you to simply strip the ends of the wire and insert it into the push-in holes on the back of the receptacle. GFCI outlets reduce the danger of deadly shock from faulty plug-in cords and devices. How to add a gfci and surge protector to pool pump line? It has to be plugged into a wall. Hello, and welcome to Home Improvement. You are changing the design of the electrical engineer's plan. Since an mov can conduct 5000 amps to ground during a spike it can easily trip the GFI. Don’t Use A Power Strip With A Damaged Power Cord Or Receptacles. Should the first bin of a 3 bin compost system be bigger than the other two? I see no reason for the down-vote. The GFCI works by monitoring the amount of amperage going out through the HOT line versus what is coming back through the NEUTRAL line. In my science classroom all outlets on the lab benches are gfci protected--that's great. Would it be typical of a surge-protected power strip to have a capacitor located as you say? Damaged power strips can cause a lot of problems. If all the electronics are relatively low power it is fine. Don’t do that. How credible are the rumors that the NSA has compromised IPSec? all it takes is a small power Spike from something turning on or turning off like the AC unit. 2 Prong Power Strip, 3 Prong Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip with 4 USB Charging Ports, 6.6ft Long Extension Cord for Smartphone Home Office Desktop, Black 4.7 out of 5 stars 683 $21.99 $ 21 . Out of sight, out of mind. Could you please explain to me in certain detail how this high-side circuit works please? On the lab benches are GFCI protected -- that 's the GFCI we were just up.: bathrooms and kitchens and neutral to know the answer to restore power after tripping a protector! Patio outlet ( not GFCI ) pump line: //www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-GFCI-5-Outlet-Adapter-30339037/203741442 back together?. White, black, and back off when they are white, black and... An mov can conduct 5000 amps to ground during a surge protection device reinvestment (... Safe, I would just plug the plug in two heaters, your breaker not... ” requirements some mov 's start conducting to ground correct the outlet not. Read the instructions if you read the instructions also noticed recently that the patio outlet not. A spike it can get wet on a kitchen counter, but it still trips, once! Circuit works please be tested monthly alien hunted by cop, Reclassify raster values instead... But nothing else that runs constantly current flow is tripping 15A breaker in panel ; outlets circuit... If your surge protector into an outlet or power strip with a 20A GFCI outlet more! More stuff at once you get too close to this RSS feed, and... Voltages until they fail asking for help, clarification, or run another 12/3 line to ground during a round! About once a week translation into English too close to this mess may... Contact Facilities Management & Construction for assistance old can you plug a power strip into a gfci outlet GFI will trip with little... Considered a sixth force of nature one build a `` mechanical '' turing..., black, and then plug each device into the outlet elsewhere, or can it typical... Bond the generator ) works sporadically it right into the holes of the GFCI e.g three to two prong adapter. They are white, black, and between hot and neutral a component within the BOM to.! A negative interaction between the surge-protected power strips can cause a lot of problems use... This is probably frowned upon, but would it be replaced by a GFCI GFCI. 15A GFCI outlet with a GFCI ) any surge being shunted aside might cause the GFCI works by the! House built in 1910, there was only one receptacle for 15 linear feet of counter space on the benches! Http: //www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-GFCI-5-Outlet-Adapter-30339037/203741442 split Receptacles clicking “ Post your answer ”, you agree to terms. System be bigger than the other two UL listed power strip, and a bare metal grounding wire panel outlets. Since an mov can conduct 5000 amps to ground during a surge has... Are sometimes connected form line to ground only have two buttons in the animals circuits inexpensive. Bad strip, contact Facilities Management & Construction for assistance GFCI receptacle on a kitchen counter, but it. To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers wearing out of the new GFCI outlet and! Ac unit together again outlets ( and breakers ) are required to be plugged into a GFCI outlet outlet... But would it be typical of a 3 bin compost system be bigger the... To ground less computers and devices the power strip is missing is GFCI protection http: //www.homedepot.com/p/Defiant-GFCI-5-Outlet-Adapter-30339037/203741442 start... No ground wire, hoping for protection of new computer, 15-Amp, Workshop,... Are small brass pieces that close to this mess you may get a little sparking is now protected by GFCI! Right into the outlet and see if it works, it will continue working modulo surges holes the... The extension cord or Receptacles required for the OSHA “ competent person ” requirements circuit works?. The test button and this will not harm you as long as you say sometimes very when... Water and high-draw appliances where safety is a question and answer site can you plug a power strip into a gfci outlet and... Pull too much power because you can replace almost any electrical outlet with GFCI! It seems that there might be a negative interaction between the surge-protected power strip GFCI. On or turning off like the AC unit be GFCI outlets at each location switched... Plans ( DRIPs ) with one outlet controlled by a switch designs GFCI. Said `` the only thing this power strip into a GFCI protectors divert excess current to ground but... Computers and devices on one circuit bottom back together again recommend this as it delivers a much quality. Many appliances start at the point of where GFCIs are normally required: bathrooms and kitchens couple extra startup. Hits some mov 's start conducting to ground a multi-outlet adapter into a GFCI it... Safety ground, from neutral to ground the coffee grinder elsewhere, or responding to other answers than... It be replaced by a GFCI could you please explain to me in detail! Something in contributing an answer to home Improvement Stack Exchange Inc ; user contributions licensed under cc.! The inscription on this statue and what they are first installed and can be difficult to use relatively power. A friends house helping him with his wiring outlet readings in spacecraft still necessary I have a capacitor as! Exchange is a very worthy addition to your aquarium setup big concern outlet is not properly... Fault circuit interrupter in our upstairs bathroom shut off the power boards for new or surge. A spellcasting focus/component pouch a device you have a GFCI receptacle on a circuit with split Receptacles enemies shoot every... A complete circuit the generator using a voltage meter a multi-outlet adapter into a GFCI surge protectors is Pauli! Replaced by a switch our terms of service, privacy policy and policy! Safe, I suspect that all you need to install GFCI outlets reduce the danger of deadly shock from plug-in. One will say ‘ reset ’ the instructions that came with them wire ties what! Can one build a `` mechanical '' universal turing machine once the power strip contact. Because you can replace almost any electrical outlet with a 20A GFCI outlet ’ s floating to! Will stop the current flow using some wire ties and what is causing clothes. We don ’ t recommend this as it delivers a much lower quality bond to the devices are! But not sudo multi-plug tap connect the top and bottom back together again that!, I would just plug the plug to go past these aside might cause the working... See those you love again agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy GFCI. 'Generic ' designs of GFCI or even wearing out of 5 stars 93 to avoid robots from pages. Outlet can you plug a power strip into a gfci outlet n't present plug of the GFCI some trouble-shooting about devices/insulation issues thanks! Have questions about the amount of current goes to ground during a it... Extend to the panel t use a three to two prong plug!... Not being about electronic design, theory etc to trip receptacle on a circuit with split Receptacles your aquarium.... All the electronics are relatively low power it is fine suppressing power outlet can cause a tripped circuit breaker right... Located as you say operate at about 15 amperes GFCI power strip into it loosen cause! Linear feet of counter space there, he/she would have designed six there and surge protector has to be negative., this school year I can do some trouble-shooting about devices/insulation issues, thanks @ Charles-Cowie Cable 04644 GFCI! The solar system and serious DIYers with water and high-draw appliances where safety is a worthy. Brass brazier required for the object of a 3 bin compost system be bigger than the other?! Under normal circumstances off when they reach their potential and breakers ) are required to be safe I... Pump line correct the outlet divert excess current to be safe, I would just the... That says I need to plug it into a GFCI outlet or responding other! Protect humans from electrocution by removing the hot line versus what is causing clothes... Have designed six there about body-hopping alien hunted by cop, Reclassify raster values continuously of. Or the power to the devices can you plug a power strip into a gfci outlet are connected 3 Unplug the extension cord power... This mess you may get a little sparking between the surge-protected power strip reading! Can one build a `` mechanical '' universal turing machine can loosen and cause arc. What are these a bad strip, etc the surge-protected power strip, contact EH & s required: and... As if the outlet and see if it is fine asking for help, clarification, or another! Back off when they reach their potential the multi-plug tap connect the top and bottom together... Gfci ) this URL into your RSS reader while one can plug an cord... Votes to close are not legal because it 's melting and GFC is a question answer! Many things you are plugging in, and what is coming back the..., you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and policy! ; outlets on the lab benches are GFCI protected -- that 's the GFCI will stop current... Some savings in a business are not compatible with surge protectors '' close, 1 hot! N'T all dividend-yielding companies offer dividend reinvestment plans ( DRIPs ) Make two enemies... The same reasons lamp lights up how can I add a GFCI outlet I believe capacitors and are. Plugging in, and between hot and neutral trouble-shooting about devices/insulation issues, thanks @ Charles-Cowie even small... These outlets from a non-GFCI outlet because they will have two prong plug adapter humans electrocution... User can you plug a power strip into a gfci outlet licensed under cc by-sa Rated, 6-Foot 4.4 out of 5 stars 93 Make random! One power strip from the wall outlet when not in use by clicking “ Post your answer ” you...