Overloaded Outlet

Do you think you may have an overloaded outlet? Well, I’m sure you’re probably familiar with the saying, “you can’t have too much of a good thing.”

However, this definitely isn’t the case when it comes to electrical outlets. If you have too many appliances plugged into one outlet, you run the risk of overloading it and causing a fire.

In this blog post, we will discuss what happens when an outlet is overloaded and how to prevent it from happening.

What is Considered an Overloaded Outlet?

When it comes to outlets, an overloaded outlet is one that has too many appliances plugged into it. This can be dangerous because it could cause the circuit to trip, resulting in a possible power outage.

Overloaded outlets are also a major fire hazard and should not be taken lightly. To avoid this situation, you should always check the wattage of your appliances before plugging them in and try to limit how many items you plug into one outlet.

If you find yourself needing extra outlets for important tasks like powering a computer or television, consider investing in a surge protector with several outlets built-in. Or you can call a local certified electrician to see what your options may be for installing additional outlets.

How Much Does it Take to Overload an Outlet?

Outlets are designed to handle a certain amount of electricity, but it’s easy to overload them with too much wattage. Knowing how much is too much is important for safety reasons.

It’s recommended that you do not exceed an outlet’s rated amperage. The majority of outlets in a home will be 15 or 20 amps, typically found in the kitchen and bathroom areas. To determine what kind of load you can put on an outlet, multiply the amperage rating by the voltage of your wall outlet (typically 120 volts).

That means if you have a 15-amp circuit, the total load should not exceed 1800 watts (15 x 120 = 1800). If you attempt to draw more power than this from the outlet, it could heat it up until it either trips the breaker or starts a fire.

So, to summarize, make sure that you don’t overload an outlet by plugging in too many appliances or using more wattage than the outlet is designed for.

The post above is for informational purposes only – for any electrical work or repairs, please contact a licensed electrician.

For more electrical advice, be sure to stop back and check out AC Electric’s monthly blogs!