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Even microwave ovens do not belong on an extension lead or multiple plug.
Gemini @blue News
Too few sockets, too many appliances. Multiple plugs and extension cables are often the only solution. But if you are not careful when using them, you risk more than just a short circuit.
The temptation is great when the nearest socket seems inaccessible or is simply missing - an extension cable or multiple socket is needed. But be careful! Even if a single appliance does not "know" where it is plugged in, the total load of several appliances and the quality of the cables can lead to problems.
Fire departments repeatedly warn people to be careful. The problem lies less in the individual appliance and more in the total load of the connected cables and the protection of the circuits. A permanently installed socket outlet connected directly to the house wiring is always the safer choice for powerful appliances.
Multiple sockets are generally designed for a total output of around 3,000 to 3,500 watts. The standard in Switzerland also stipulates that household circuits are generally fused with 10 amps (A), which corresponds to a maximum output of 2,300 watts. Certain appliances such as stoves or washing machines often have separate and higher fuses. If you exceed the permissible total power of the multiple socket or circuit, the circuit breaker (fuse) will usually trip. Nevertheless, dangerous heating can occur before this happens.
The popular alternative to the classic deep fryer scores with less fat but significantly more watts. Commercially available appliances consume between 1,400 and 2,100 watts. Some models even reach up to 3,000 watts. Even if a multiple socket is designed for 3,000 watts, you should always connect such high-performance appliances directly to a permanently installed wall socket to minimize the point load on the multiple socket and the power circuit.
They seem harmless, but microwaves are also among the problematic candidates. Even if individual models only require up to 1,000 watts, the risk often arises from the combination. In kitchens, microwaves often share power strips with toasters, kettles or coffee machines. The total load is crucial and is quickly exceeded.
When it's freezing outside, fan heaters can keep rooms warm for a short time. But with an output of up to 3,000 watts, they are anything but harmless. If you also use an extension cable, you could cause an overload and, in the worst case, a cable fire, as the heat dissipation of the extension cable can reach its limits at such high power levels.
Heavy household appliances such as washing machines, dryers and dishwashers need a stable power supply. A multiple socket outlet is simply not designed for this, as these appliances often cause very high current peaks for short periods when they start up. Even a brief overload can cause a cable to heat up considerably. This is particularly critical in old buildings with outdated electrical installations, where fuses do not always trip reliably or quickly enough.
A single coffee machine draws around 1,000 watts. This is not a problem on its own, but in reality it is often joined by a kettle or toaster. That adds up. If you operate several kitchen appliances via a power strip, you run the risk of overloading, as the total power of the appliances can exceed the capacity of the multiple socket or the power circuit.
What looks like a clever solution is one of the most common causes of smouldering fires: the so-called chain connection of multiple plugs. This involves plugging one power strip into another, usually because there is not enough space. The consequence is extreme heat development due to the accumulation of loads on a single supply line, overloaded cables and risks that can hardly be controlled. You should avoid this at all costs.
This article was originally published on July 7, 2025 and republished with slight adjustments.
